West Coast is looking to bolster its small forward stocks by securing speedy Claremont product Zac Langdon from Greater Western Sydney during the upcoming Trade Period.
During a wide-ranging interview with ABC Sports Talk, the Eagles’ General Manager – Football Craig Vozzo confirmed the club is keen to bring the 24-year-old back to Perth.
Langdon was drafted by the Giants via pick 56 in 2017 and has booted 23 goals in 31 games, while averaging four tackles per match.
“Zac is keen to come back to Perth and play for the Eagles and we’re keen to have him on board,” Vozzo said.
“We’ve already had some productive discussion with Zac’s management Colin Young and also (GWS football manager) Jason McCartney ... (West Coast list manager) Darren Glass is leading that.
“We’re confident that should be a fairly straightforward deal.”
The Eagles were without 2018 premiership small forwards Willie Rioli (provisional suspension) and Daniel Venables (concussion) this year.
Rioli’s AFL Tribunal hearing is likely to be held in Melbourne before the end of the year.
“That’s looking like it’s going to be in late November or early December, we’re hoping,” Vozzo said.
“David Grace (QC) is in full throttle (preparing). We’ve had several meetings post-season ... regarding prep for that hearing, so we’re in good hands.
“That’s looking like late November or early December. We probably won’t get a determination until early New Year, David’s thinking.”
Venables has turned the corner in his recovery from a serious head knock although a decision on his playing future is still to be made.
“It’s going to be really strictly a medical call that we’ll make with him, and very much the bigger picture issues in mind as we work through that call, but we’d like to give him as much time as possible,” Vozzo said.
“If that means he’s unable to participate in the pre-season and the medical people are saying ‘give him further time’ then we’re happy to do that.
“We’re just looking at some mechanisms under the rules that enable us to effectively make him inactive for a period of time but we’re able then to call him back onto our list when appropriate.
“We’re working through that at the moment and we’re making some good ground with the AFL.”
Vozzo also explained that West Coast is working with the WAFC to find a suitable solution – which could include an alignment model with another club - if the club is unable to field a WAFL team next season.
AFL clubs have been forced to make $3.5m in cuts to their football department spend, and list sizes are set to shrink, adding to the challenge of fielding a standalone WAFL side.
“We’ll run with at least three less coaches (next year) which is tragic in my view and a backward step, but that’s what we’ve go to do, less wellbeing staff as well and likelihood, even though we don’t know a final number, less players,” Vozzo said.
“From my point of view and the club’s point of view, we’re still working with the Commission to try to achieve an acceptable outcome.
“Farming our players out to all clubs is not going to be an acceptable outcome. We won’t be doing that in any circumstance. We’re working on what the solution looks like.”
