With West Coast and Fremantle’s season coming to an end, The West Australian expert columnist Danielle Laidley continues to rank every Eagles and Dockers player from worst to best.
In the final of the special five-part series, Laidley looks at those who finished in the top 10, only counting players who took the field at least five times.
But first, here’s a full recap. (Scroll down to see the top 10)
61. Tyler Brockman (West Coast)
60. Jack Hutchinson (West Coast)
59. Luke Edwards (West Coast)
58. Campbell Chesser (West Coast)
57. Jamaine Jones (West Coast)
56. Harvey Johnston (West Coast)
55. Michael Walters (Fremantle)
54. Josh Rotham (West Coast)
53. Matt Taberner (Fremantle)
52. Tyrell Dewar (West Coast)
51. Tom Emmett (Fremantle)
50. Ryan Maric (West Coast)
49. Brennan Cox (Fremantle)
48. Jack Williams (West Coast)
47. Jack Petruccelle (West Coast)
46. Zane Trew (West Coast)
45. Dom Sheed (West Coast)
44. Patrick Voss (Fremantle)
43. Noah Long (West Coast)
42. Jack Darling (West Coast)
41. Jye Amiss (Fremantle)
40. Josh Draper (Fremantle)
39. Oscar Allen (West Coast)
38. Michael Frederick (Fremantle)
37. Ethan Hughes (Fremantle)
36. Jayden Hunt (West Coast)
35. Tom Cole (West Coast)
34. Bailey Williams (West Coast)
33. Bailey Banfield (Fremantle)
32. James Aish (Fremantle)
31. Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle)
30. Alex Witherden (West Coast)
29. Brady Hough (West Coast)
28. Liam Ryan (West Coast)
27. Matthew Johnson (Fremantle)
26. Brandon Walker (Fremantle)
25. Corey Wagner (Fremantle)
24. Sam Sturt (Fremantle)
23. Harry Edwards (West Coast)
22. Heath Chapman (Fremantle)
21. Jamie Cripps (West Coast)
20. Jeremy Sharp (Fremantle)
19. Reuben Ginbey (West Coast)
18. Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
17. Sam Switkowski (Fremantle)
16. Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
15. Harley Reid (West Coast)
14. Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
13. Josh Treacy (Fremantle)
12. Tom Barrass (West Coast)
11. Jake Waterman (West Coast)
10. Tim Kelly (West Coast)
Average rating: 6.6
Games played: 20
Slightly down statistically from previous years, but always led from the front with a high workrate, accumulating possessions across each game in a midfield that at times was overwhelmed.
One positive about Kelly is he never gives up.
9. Elliot Yeo (West Coast)
Average rating: 6.65
Games played: 20
Bounced out of the blocks and played at an extraordinary level for the first eight games before injury struck. Came back to form in the last third of the season.
Stood tall in his clearance game, averaging 6.5 per game. The best return in a season for quite a few years. Staying injury free and a consolidating pre-season will be key.
8. Liam Duggan (West Coast)
Average rating: 6.67
Games played: 21
Ranked 15th in metres gained in the entire competition as mostly a running half-back. Did spend time in the midfield and wing later in the season.
Always up for the fight and didn’t leave anything on the ground. To be critical, he needs to watch some of his blast kicks leading to turnovers.
7. Luke Ryan (Fremantle)
Average rating: 6.7
Games played: 23
Racked up over 24 touches and 7.4 rebound 50s per game as the teams go to quarterback to exit defensive 50. He played this role extremely well and won All-Australian honours.
Did pick and choose when to defend at times, this proved costly in the last month of the season.
6. Alex Pearce (Fremantle)
Average rating: 7.0
Games played: 15
The physical and spiritual leader of the club. His injury coincided with the slide down the ladder later in the year. A fierce competitor and defends for his life, setting the tone for the team.
5. Jeremy McGovern (West Coast)
Average rating: 7.0
Games played: 19
Deservedly earned All-Australian team honours and the Worsfold Medal for his career-best season.
Had a career-high average of 20.6 touches, 7.3 rebound 50s, along with his elite kicking from defence. One of the best all round defensive performances across a season we have seen.
4. Jordan Clark (Fremantle)
Average rating: 7.04
Games played: 23
Arguably one of the best running defenders in the league, averaging 24.7 disposals and 4.9 rebound 50s.
Was tagged at times, sometimes let himself down by not defending. Worked through all these issues as the season unfolded to become elite in his position.
3. Hayden Young (Fremantle)
Average rating: 7.26
Games played: 23
Elevated his game to the next level as a scoring midfielder, kicking 13 goals, having 27 goal assists and averaging nearly six inside 50ss per game.
Pure class and execution across the season. Can be at the top of elite punishing midfielders by improving his body conditioning to do it quarter in, quarter out in 2025 at the age of 24.
2. Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
Average rating: 7.48
Games played: 23
Massive year, massive workrate, able to rack up many touches over a game, averaging 29.4 in 2024.
Kicked 11.9 for the year, which he added to his game, but only 13 goal assists. The back-to-back Doig Medallist will continue to develop his game to have more influence in the forward half of the ground.
1. Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
Average rating: 7.7
Games played: 23
Continued to build his brand and all-round game, averaging 29.1 disposals, five clearances and five tackles.
He works hard to support the defence in transition and delivers the ball inside 50. Spent time forward as the midfield and continues to develop.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/danielle-laidley-ranks-every-west-coast-eagle-and-fremantle-docker-from-61-to-1-in-ultimate-countdown-10-1-c-16122940
