The bye week is upon the West Coast Eagles and there is no better time for players, coaches and fans alike to take a breather, reflect and reload for a massive run home.
After an epic come-from-behind win over Richmond, the Eagles occupy seventh spot on the ladder and are in the thick of the race for top eight spots.
Below are some reflections from the season so far after 13 rounds, and a look ahead to what could unfold during the remainder of the 2021 season.
Kennedy entering rare air
He was the toast of the blue and gold faithful after his brilliant four-goal performance against the Tigers – highlighted by that sublime match-winning snap – and ‘JK’ also edged closer to becoming one of the top 25 goalkickers in VFL/AFL history. West Coast’s all-time leading marksman sits on 673 majors (including 11 for Carlton), now just eight behind South Melbourne great Bob Pratt in 25th spot.
The 33-year-old reaped the benefits of a week off during his 249th game for the club, and if he stays around current pace (28 majors from 11 games) the 700-goal milestone could be within reach, fitness permitting, before the end of 2021. Kennedy’s long-time sidekick Jack Darling (29 goals from 13 games) is also closing in on a landmark of his own as the Eagles’ third-highest goalkicker, sitting just four majors behind Mark LeCras’ 441 career goals.
Accurate Eagles hit the mark
While we’re on the subject of goalkicking, West Coast’s accuracy has been highlighted this year, but the Eagles have been elite in front of the big sticks for some time. This crucial craft is not something the forwards leave to chance. They regularly hone their skills at training and the results speak for themselves. West Coast is the most on-target side this year (55.2 per cent goalkicking accuracy), and has ranked top four in the League in each of the past five completed seasons, topping the chart in 2016 and ’19. For the record, the Eagles’ accuracy this season is the best since Hawthorn managed 55.9 per cent in 2015.
Redden’s ‘quiet’ quality season
In a season featuring plenty of midfield chopping and changing, the unassuming 30-year-old has been a constant contributor. Often unheralded externally, Redden has quietly pieced together a fine campaign to date, and only Andrew Gaff (28.38) and Dom Sheed (27.38) have averaged more than his 26.2 disposals per game – which has the tough mid on track for the highest mark in any of his 13 seasons. Runner-up in the John Worsfold Medal in the 2018 premiership campaign, Redden would be a frontrunner for a podium finish in the club champion at this stage of the year, with last year’s winner Nic Naitanui arguably leading the count again, and Tom Barrass, Jack Darling, Tim Kelly, Gaff and Sheed likely right in the mix.
Gutting it out
The Eagles revealed their theme of ‘head, heart and gut’ following the 2018 flag, with Simpson detailing how ‘gut’ was about digging deep when games were on the line late. There was no better example of that than clawing back from 22 points down with 11 minutes to play against Richmond, and there are promising signs West Coast is finding a way when it matters most. Fourth quarters had been highlighted as a concern - especially in defeats to St Kilda, the Giants and Essendon – but the undermanned Eagles outscored Carlton 2.3 to 1.3 in the rousing round 12 triumph at the SCG before overrunning the Tigers 5.4 to 3.0 at Optus Stadium.
The next generation
Opportunity has knocked across the opening 13 rounds due to a raft of injuries to senior players and there has been plenty to like from the Eagles rising through the ranks. West Perth products Josh Rotham (23yo, 13 games) and Oscar Allen (22, 12) have continued their promising development, while Jamaine Jones (22, 13) has been lively, Jarrod Brander (22, nine) has taken a step forward and Harry Edwards (20, six), Xavier O’Neill (20, six), Bailey Williams (21, five) Luke Foley (21, three), Luke Edwards (19, two) and Isiah Winder (19, one) have all shown good signs. The introduction of the medical sub must be taken into account, but West Coast has used 35 players this year – two fewer than last season’s truncated campaign – and one more than the entire 2019 season.
Midfield stars together again
Tim Kelly joining forces with Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo in the centre square was a tantalising prospect when he arrived at the club at the end of 2019, but Yeo’s long-term groin trouble, followed more recently by Kelly and Shuey’s injury-enforced absences, has limited that quartet to just eight games together. Provided Shuey gets through his WAFL comeback on Saturday, they will reunite with in-form trio Redden, Gaff and Sheed for a huge clash against the Western Bulldogs’ elite engine room in round 15.
The run home
The Eagles’ win-loss record stands at 8-5, and they are 2-2 against current top-eight sides. The run home features clashes with four teams who appear finals-bound – the Dogs, Swans, Demons and Lions – as well as an away RAC Derby and tricky trips to take on Adelaide and Collingwood. North Melbourne and St Kilda will also make the journey west to Optus Stadium, where West Coast will play five of its final nine home and away matches. There is also the exciting prospect of Shannon Hurn becoming the first Eagle to reach the 300-game milestone, with the 2018 premiership skipper only six appearances shy of the mark. If the 33-year-old plays every game post-bye the celebrations will come the week of West Coast's round 20 trip to take on Collingwood at the MCG.
