2023 West Coast Eagles season

The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football based in Perth, Western Australia. Their 2023 season is their 37th season in the Australian Football League (AFL), their tenth season with Adam Simpson as coach, and their fourth season with Luke Shuey as captain. As of round nine, they have one win and eight losses.

West Coast Eagles
2023 season
CoachAdam Simpson
(10th season)
Captain(s)Luke Shuey
(4th season)
Home groundOptus Stadium
Leading goalkickerOscar Allen (24 as of round 9)
Highest home attendance47,940 vs. Carlton (round 7)
Lowest home attendance36,219 vs. Gold Coast (round 9)
← 2022

Background
Male footballer in guernsey and shorts jogging
Male football coach walking
Luke Shuey (captain) and Adam Simpson (coach)

The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football team based in Perth, Western Australia, that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). They ended the 2022 home-and-away season seventeenth, or second last, on the ladder, with only two wins and twenty losses, their worst result ever. They only narrowly avoided winning the wooden spoon because North Melbourne's percentage was worse.[1]

Prior to the start of the 2023 season, West Coast were widely expected to fare similarly to 2022. Out of a group of ten AFL.com.au journalists, all predicted that West Coast would finish the season 13th on the ladder or worse, with four predicting they would finish 16th. None of the journalists predicted that West Coast would finish last however.[2] Fox Sports used a Pythagorean expectation formula to predict that West Coast would finish the season 17th.[3] A group of Western Australia-based people from Nine Entertainment was more optimistic though, predicting West Coast would finish 12th, saying that they were unlucky with injuries in 2022, and that an influx of young players would help them be more competitive.[4]

Luke Shuey was voted in as captain for the fourth consecutive season. Jeremy McGovern remained a vice-captain and was joined by Tom Barrass, who replaced Nic Naitanui who declined to continue as part of the leadership group.[5][6] Adam Simpson remained as coach for his tenth season. The assistant coaches are Matthew Knights (midfield), Jarrad Schofield (strategy and stoppages), Daniel Pratt (backs) and Luke Webster (forwards). The development coaches are Jacob Brennan (development coordinator), Mark Nicoski (forwards) and Kyal Horsley (midfield).[7]

Jayden Hunt joined West Coast as an unrestricted free agent on the first day of the 2022 trade period. He had previously played 114 games for Melbourne.[8][9]

Playing list

Changes

Josh Kennedy retired at the end of the 2022 season, as was widely expected.[10][11] Jack Redden also retired at the end of the season, albeit unexpectedly.[12][13]

Removals from playing list
Player Reason Games Ref.
Josh Kennedy Retired 293 (271 at West Coast) [10][11]
Jack Redden Retired 263 (234 at West Coast) [12][13]
Additions to playing list
Player Acquired Former club Former league Ref.
Jayden Hunt Unrestricted free agent Melbourne AFL [8][9]

Statistics
Playing list and statistics (as of round 9)[14]
Player No. Games Goals Behinds Kicks Handballs Disposals Marks Tackles Notes/Milestone(s)
Liam Ryan 1341309391511
Jake Waterman 2810878351134618
Andrew Gaff 3902941011953231
Dom Sheed 451154691232016
Jayden Hunt 5943116521684322
Elliot Yeo 62001862453
Reuben Ginbey 791145801251170
Elijah Hewett 830211142551
Sam Petrevski-Seton 106204828762118
Tim Kelly 119531101512613147
Oscar Allen 12924117128995016
Luke Shuey 13412373673717
Liam Duggan 14900137571946127
Jamie Cripps 15345152035125
Luke Edwards 166003841791620
Campbell Chesser 183021582387
Brady Hough 193001682467
Jeremy McGovern 20300361753221
Jack Petruccelle 21641332659818
Alex Witherden 2381096471433117
Xavier O'Neill 245233129601024
Shannon Hurn 2560089371262311
Zane Trew 262005131815
Jack Darling 27910125430843421
Tom Cole 284003232641910
Luke Foley 29400282250136
Jamaine Jones 31922104691733122
Bailey Williams 3291049641131028
Rhett Bazzo 3320036920
Josh Rotham 3560041950247
Connor West 366332939681212
Tom Barrass 379007442116574
Greg Clark 396123852901918
Callum Jamieson 4020053831
Harry Edwards 4210042631
Noah Long 445222336591013
Jai Culley 49552142842815

Season summary

In the 2023 AFL season, each team will play 22 games and have a mid-season bye. West Coast will play North Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton, Richmond, Essendon, and Adelaide twice, and all the other teams once. Only one game will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue of the grand final, against Richmond. There will be three games at Adelaide Oval as a result of the Gather Round, where West Coast will play Geelong in Adelaide. Other venues include four games at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, one game at The Gabba in Brisbane, one game at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and one game against Hawthorn at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania. Out of the opening 15 rounds, eight will be played on Saturdays, five will be played on Sundays, and one will be played on a Friday. The days for the remaining eight rounds will be revealed later in the season.[15][16]

Results
Regular season results[17]
Round Day Date Result Score Opponent Score Ground Attendance Ladder Margin Ref.
G B T G B T
1 Saturday 18 March Lost 12 10 82 North Melbourne 12 15 87 Marvel Stadium A 21,274 11th -5 [18]
2 Sunday 26 March Won 14 16 100 Greater Western Sydney 11 15 81 Optus Stadium H 44,649 9th +19 [19]
3 Sunday 2 April Lost 9 13 67 Fremantle 16 12 108 Optus Stadium A 56,090 12th -41 [20]
4 Sunday 9 April Lost 9 9 63 Melbourne 19 12 126 Optus Stadium H 42,458 16th -63 [21]
5 Sunday 16 April Lost 13 11 89 Geelong 21 10 136 Adelaide Oval N 30,120 17th -47 [22]
6 Saturday 22 April Lost 10 9 69 Port Adelaide 16 13 109 Adelaide Oval A 31,638 17th -40 [23]
7 Sunday 29 April Lost 6 8 44 Carlton 23 14 152 Optus Stadium H 47,940 18th -108 [24]
8 Saturday 6 May Lost 8 10 58 Richmond 15 14 104 Melbourne Cricket Ground A 28,293 17th -46 [25]
9 Friday 12 May Lost 6 7 43 Gold Coast 16 17 113 Optus Stadium H 36,219 18th -70 [26]
10 Sunday 21 May Lost 4 2 26 Hawthorn 22 10 142 University of Tasmania Stadium A 18th -116
11 Saturday 27 May Lost 6 10 46 Essendon 14 12 96 Optus Stadium H 18th -50
12 Saturday 3 June Lost 8 9 57 Collingwood 18 12 120 Optus Stadium H 18th -63
13 Saturday 10 June Lost 8 4 52 Adelaide 27 12 174 Adelaide Oval A 18th -122
14 Lost Bye
15 Saturday 24 June Lost 5 4 34 Sydney 31 19 205 Sydney Cricket Ground A 18th -171
16 St Kilda Optus Stadium H
17 Brisbane Lions The Gabba A
18 Richmond Optus Stadium H
19 Carlton Marvel Stadium A
20 North Melbourne Optus Stadium H
21 Essendon Marvel Stadium A
22 Lost 32 Fremantle 133 Optus Stadium H -101
23 Western Bulldogs Marvel Stadium A
24 Adelaide Optus Stadium H
Key
H Home game
A Away game
N Neutral game

Ladder
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Collingwood (P) 23 18 5 0 2142 1687 127.0 72 Finals series
2 Brisbane Lions 23 17 6 0 2180 1771 123.1 68
3 Port Adelaide 23 17 6 0 2149 1906 112.7 68
4 Melbourne 23 16 7 0 2079 1660 125.2 64
5 Carlton 23 13 9 1 1922 1697 113.3 54
6 St Kilda 23 13 10 0 1775 1647 107.8 52
7 Greater Western Sydney 23 13 10 0 2018 1885 107.1 52
8 Sydney 23 12 10 1 2050 1863 110.0 50
9 Western Bulldogs 23 12 11 0 1919 1766 108.7 48
10 Adelaide 23 11 12 0 2193 1877 116.8 44
11 Essendon 23 11 12 0 1838 2050 89.7 44
12 Geelong 23 10 12 1 2088 1855 112.6 42
13 Richmond 23 10 12 1 1856 1983 93.6 42
14 Fremantle 23 10 13 0 1835 1898 96.7 40
15 Gold Coast 23 9 14 0 1839 2006 91.7 36
16 Hawthorn 23 7 16 0 1686 2101 80.2 28
17 North Melbourne 23 3 20 0 1657 2318 71.5 12
18 West Coast 23 3 20 0 1418 2674 53.0 12
Source: afl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for
(P) Premiers

WAFL team

Robert Wiley was West Coast's WAFL coach.[7]

Awards

Reuben Ginbey was nominated for the Rising Star award in round three, making him the first Rising Star nomination from West Coast since Oscar Allen in round 21, 2019.[27][28] Jai Culley was nominated for the Rising Star award in round six.[29][30]

Awards received by West Coast players
Award Awarded by Player Result Ref.
Rising Star Australian Football League Reuben Ginbey (round 3) Nominated [27][28]
Jai Culley (round 6) Nominated [29][30]

References
  1. Mottram, Seb (23 August 2022). "West Coast's season review: highlight, lowlight, off-season needs and overall grade". SEN. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  2. "Crystal Ball: Our predictions for the 2023 AFL season are in". AFL.com.au. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  3. Laughton, Max (7 February 2023). "Moneyball theory reveals which AFL teams will rise and fall in the 2023 season". Fox Sports. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  4. Sweeney, Paddy (13 March 2023). "AFL predictions: Freo in the top four and West Coast looking at a long season". WAtoday. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  5. Woodcock, Mitchell (31 January 2023). "Luke Shuey to return as West Coast Eagles captain for fourth successive season". PerthNow. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  6. Schmook, Nathan (31 January 2023). "Gun ruckman steps aside as Shuey takes reins at Eagles again". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  7. "Coaches (AFL)". West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  8. Rogers, Samantha (3 October 2022). "AFL Trades 2022: West Coast swoop on speedy Melbourne free agent Jayden Hunt". PerthNow. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  9. Gabelich, Josh (3 October 2022). "Go west: Demon joins Eagles as unrestricted free agent". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  10. McNeill, Heather; Pierik, Jon (2 August 2022). "West Coast legend Josh Kennedy to retire at the weekend". The Age. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  11. Schmook, Nathan (2 August 2022). "Running on empty: Knee injury forces Eagles champion into retirement". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  12. Quartermaine, Braden (30 September 2022). "West Coast Eagles veteran Jack Redden announces retirement". The West Australian. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  13. Schmook, Nathan (30 September 2022). "Shock retirement: Premiership Eagle calls time after 14 seasons". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  14. "2023 Player Stats". AFL Tables. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  15. "West Coast Eagles' 2023 fixture". West Coast Eagles. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  16. "AFL fixture and results: Every round of the 2023 premiership season". The Sporting News. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  17. "2023 Season Scores and Results". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  18. Welsh, Sophie (18 March 2023). "Roos hold off late Eagles surge to start Clarko era in style". AFL.com.au. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  19. Schmook, Nathan (26 March 2023). "Best in the west? Eagles down Giants ahead of Western Derby". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  20. Schmook, Nathan (2 April 2023). "Demolition Derby: Dockers, injuries too much for decimated Eagles". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  21. Schmook, Nathan (9 April 2023). "Clinical Demons get job done against depleted Eagles". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  22. Schmook, Nathan (16 April 2023). "Classy Cats in cruise control to overcome depleted Eagles". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  23. Welsh, Sophie (22 April 2023). "Eagles overpowered as Port puts on a clinic". AFL.com.au. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  24. Schmook, Nathan (30 April 2023). "Blues cruise: King Charles bags nine as Carlton crushes Eagles". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  25. Kalinic, Dejan (7 May 2023). "Tiger charge sets up much-needed win over Eagles". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  26. Schmook, Nathan (12 May 2023). "Red-hot Suns coast past depleted Eagles". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  27. Woodcock, Mitchell (3 April 2023). "West Coast Eagles teenager Reuben Ginbey named round three rising star nominee after western derby outing". The West Australian. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  28. Bourke, Ed (3 April 2023). "West Coast midfielder Reuben Ginbey earns Rising Star nomination". News.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  29. Woodcock, Mitchell (26 April 2023). "Jai Culley earns Rising Star nomination for second West Coast Eagles nod this month". PerthNow. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  30. "Jai time: Eagle earns Rising Star nomination after four-goal haul". AFL.com.au. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
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