The exciting youth on West Coast’s list is energising the club’s senior players and coaches as pre-season heats up, according to senior coach Adam Simpson.
Half the Eagles’ squad is aged under 22 heading towards the 2024 campaign, and the enthusiasm of that tight cohort has created an upbeat atmosphere so far this summer.
Entering his 11th season as senior coach, Simpson is embracing the build of the third-youngest list in the competition.
“Looking forward to the challenge, really aware of where we’re at and what we’re trying to do,” Simpson said.
“It’s not a quick fix but we’re excited by it.
“The youthful part of our list is actually energising a lot of our senior players and coaches as well, so we’re in a good space.”
While gun forward Liam Ryan’s return from hamstring surgery hit a snag on Monday, having a host of senior players involved in match sim – including Jeremy McGovern, Elliot Yeo, Jamie Cripps and Tom Barrass – was a pleasing sight after recent injury-impacted seasons.
Simpson hoped Ryan’s hamstring setback was not too serious, with the availability of senior players crucial as the young squad develops.
“They’ll grow together, our new captains (Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen) and new leadership group, there’s a lot of new things happening at the club with the CEO (Don Pyke) and the strength and conditioning team,” Simpson said.
“It’s all exciting, and there’s going to be some ups and downs.”
With less than six weeks until a training session against Fremantle, Simpson detailed how a key focus will be establishing a clearly identifiable gamestyle.
“We’re trying to chase an identity that we don’t have – we’re starting from scratch in that space,” Simpson said.
“We start with the contest, we defend as well as we can and our ball movement needs to get its own identity as well. Fundamentals are critical this time of year.
“In the next four our five weeks those things will pick up. We’re more advanced with the conditioning around the contest and the physicality.
“Once again, like every club is probably doing, match sim starts in December now with the short build in after Christmas and the break they (players) have.”
Simpson also outlined how No.1 draft pick Harley Reid is likely to start his AFL career by following in the footsteps of recent highly-rated selections Nick Daicos and Harry Sheezel by playing a mix between half-back and midfield.
“(We’re) trying to enjoy and embrace the hype around (Harley), and the fact is I think he’s going to back it up,” Simpson said.
“Where does he play early on his career? We’re working through that.
“I think there’ll be a little bit of back and a little bit of on-ball is what I’m seeing at the moment, but he goes forward and has a bit of presence there as well.
“We need to settle him, that’s for sure, and we’re working on that now but more than likely a little down back and a little bit of on-ball.”
