West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has made his boldest calls since taking the reins of the fallen giants this week, dropping premium midfielder Tim Kelly and defensive stalwart Tom Cole for their Gather Round clash with Carlton.
And if the first-year coach is to finally get the club’s rebuild up and running in earnest, there are some young guns Champion Data numbers suggest must be backed in for as many games as possible in the veteran’s place.
McQualter’s first year at the helm is already turning hellish.
A co-captain is hunting the nearest available emergency exit, and the club is desperately attempting to cling to its best young player, Harley Reid, amid dire on-field results.
But among the carnage are spots of light coming from West Coast’s next generation.
Clay Hall, Archer Reid and round four debutant Sam Gross exude the identity the Eagles are hunting: gritty, effort-based players who are not afraid to get dirty.
And through a handful of performances, the numbers speak volumes.
Through two outings this season, Hall is the club’s best contested possessions and clearance winner with 12.5 and 5.5 per game.
The 19-year-old is also second in centre bounce clearances, an area West Coast struggle in, and third for score involvements.
His biggest problem? He’s only played two of four games this season.
While Gross has only played one game, he became the only Eagle, alongside premiership champion Chris Judd, to produce 17 plus disposals and five or more clearances on debut.
He even slotted a goal from outside 50.
Archer Reid, at 19, has been the Eagles’ best key forward with Oscar Allen struggling with contract drama and horrid form while Jake Waterman has been injured.
In round three, Archer produced the seventh highest-rated game by a teenager in one of their first three outings in West Coast history, recording seven score involvements, four marks inside 50 and three contested grabs to go with two majors.
The youngster has also shown his will to compete while pinch-hitting in the ruck.
Tyrell Dewar has shown his run and x-factor are invaluable, while Jack Hutchinson, who is likely to return from injury this week, showed he can be a defensive wingman with seven tackles against the Suns in round one.
Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey and Ryan Maric are also now established and can look to lead the younger side of the list.
It’s now just up the Eagles to invest in their kids.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-coast-eagles/aaron-kirby-west-coast-eagles-coach-andrew-mcqualter-must-invest-in-the-kids-after-axing-tim-kelly-c-18327811
