Expectations for 2025

[WA footy mad]

Expections we will hand over pick 2 & 10 for warner. We should beat Richmond this year.

 

[bzparkes]

Expections we will hand over pick 2 & 10 for warner. We should beat Richmond this year.

We aren't paying 2 & 10 for Warner.

Massive overs.

 

[AndysAngels]

I can see us improving to ~7 wins and a percentage of ~80. This would be a good step forward, but would still probably have us bottom 3. Improved effort and some natural improvement should have us there.

North should improve, given they're a year or two ahead of us in the rebuild, but we would need to have a calamitous season to finish below Richmond.

I reckon Mini basically has a free hit this year - bank another early draft pick and come into a second pre-season of learning the new game-plan in 2026, with a fresh recruit in Chad Warner, and look to bank 10 wins in 2026, thereby locking enough improvement into retain Harley!

 

[Astro7]

I can see us improving to ~7 wins and a percentage of ~80. This would be a good step forward, but would still probably have us bottom 3. Improved effort and some natural improvement should have us there.

North should improve, given they're a year or two ahead of us in the rebuild, but we would need to have a calamitous season to finish below Richmond.

I reckon Mini basically has a free hit this year - bank another early draft pick and come into a second pre-season of learning the new game-plan in 2026, with a fresh recruit in Chad Warner, and look to bank 10 wins in 2026, thereby locking enough improvement into retain Harley!

A safe and realistic outlook, sounds good!
(Is Chad a lock at this stage, or any stage?)

 

[flyinghi64]

Scrape into finals by % with Freo 9th, due to an 8 game win streak post bye. Get knocked out in Prelim by the eventual Premiership team.
Baker , Oallen, Reid and Gov make AA.
Reid RU in Brownlow under controversial circumstances.
Oallen wins Coleman.
Win both Derbies with Reid and Baker BOG.
Reid extends contract by 3 years during the bye week.

Better stop there, running out of imagination

 

[ziad]

6-8 wins. Two wins away from home as our mental strength improves.
At a stretch 8-10 wins.

 

[Seadog]

I just wanna get to the end of the season not wondering if my 1500$ might be better spent somewhere else.............unlike the last 3 years.

 

[Truly Lazuli]

I just wanna get to the end of the season not wondering if my 1500$ might be better spent somewhere else.............unlike the last 3 years.

So what would your options be? Charter a fishing trip for you and a couple of mates? Buy a Chris Reeve sebenza every year? Start drinking the top shelf rather than Brandavino? Get yourself a mohair sports jacket? Spa treatments for you and your partner? Down payment on a Rolex?

 

[We_The_West]

Just rewatched the Cats walk all over Port in their home elimination final…

A lot to play out but they could be Richmond 2.0 if they get a bad run of injuries to some key players…

Think they’re probably bottom 6 this season.

 

[WCE777]

We aren't paying 2 & 10 for Warner.

Massive overs.

Just rewatched the Cats walk all over Port in their home elimination final…

A lot to play out but they could be Richmond 2.0 if they get a bad run of injuries to some key players…

Think they’re probably bottom 6 this season.

I think Port have hit their peak and the loss of Houston will be significant.
I have he Hawks and Port falling just outside the eight, Freo and Pies in.

 

[Barrybran]

Question #14 from Big Questions On WCE 2025 Season -from Mongrel Punt.

14 – WHO IS THE NEXT BREAKOUT PLAYER AT THE CLUB?

This will come as no surprise to Eagles supporters, but it might come as a hell of a shock to opposition fans, once Brady Hough locks down on their best mid-small forward and causes him to have one of his worst days of the season.

Home - The Mongrel Punt

themongrelpunt.com

Who writes this stuff? Hough isn't going to break out because he already has. Granted, the comparison to Sheppard is apt but to anyone paying attention, he's already put together two very good seasons keeping opposition forwards quiet. The only reason many haven't noticed is 1) we've been terrible, 2) he played in a defense with McGovern and Barrass, and 3) Harley Reid.

The correct answer here is Reuben Ginbey. If Mini starts him in defense, I think he'll turn some heads. I think it's a little premature for Hewett to break out, though I do expect a couple of moments that will garner attention.

Bonus points if Maric gets a run in defense and makes it work.

 

[WCE777]

Who writes this stuff? Hough isn't going to break out because he already has. Granted, the comparison to Sheppard is apt but to anyone paying attention, he's already put together two very good seasons keeping opposition forwards quiet. The only reason many haven't noticed is 1) we've been terrible, 2) he played in a defense with McGovern and Barrass, and 3) Harley Reid.

The correct answer here is Reuben Ginbey. If Mini starts him in defense, I think he'll turn some heads. I think it's a little premature for Hewett to break out, though I do expect a couple of moments that will garner attention.

Bonus points if Maric gets a run in defense and makes it work.

its a good point and the very good thing about the current crop is there are several players who could be this breakout player imo.
The list I have is Ginbey, JW, Hewett, Maric & we could get a surprise from 1 of the 2024 draftees.
Good problem to have for a change.

 

[Astro7]

Who writes this stuff? Hough isn't going to break out because he already has. Granted, the comparison to Sheppard is apt but to anyone paying attention, he's already put together two very good seasons keeping opposition forwards quiet. The only reason many haven't noticed is 1) we've been terrible, 2) he played in a defense with McGovern and Barrass, and 3) Harley Reid.

The correct answer here is Reuben Ginbey. If Mini starts him in defense, I think he'll turn some heads. I think it's a little premature for Hewett to break out, though I do expect a couple of moments that will garner attention.

Bonus points if Maric gets a run in defense and makes it work.

This is just a focus on Hough (and Hewett), most of the team gets a mention elsewhere. The guy who writes this stuff is currently busy writing similar stuff for other clubs, so no, he's not fully immersed in WCE, but it's interesting to have an outsider/objective opinion, if not entirely correct all the time. (not dissimilar to BF) And is generally upbeat about WC's 2025 season.

Re Hough, his point was that he is not quite developed as an offensive run+carry type, and if he goes to that level this season, then I guess it will be a break-out or break-through (the lines) season?
Re Ginbey, you'd expect him to be the offensive run+carry type (Ginbey is covered elsewhere in this very long M.P article)
With Mini's new plan we expect everyone to be attacking to some degree. Ginbey was showing good signs when swung in defence, hopefully his kicking improves, same with Duggan.

Hewett, a couple of moments?? Depends if he can stay fit, if so reckon he'll be a pretty solid contributor by mid season (if not a one-two punch with Harley)
Maric and Hutch could be the smokeys for '25?
But then there's Allan and the terrible trio...hell, Oscar could have a break-out season?
I'd like the ruck to have a break-out season? (if only)

 

[KERRPOW]

Who writes this stuff? Hough isn't going to break out because he already has. Granted, the comparison to Sheppard is apt but to anyone paying attention, he's already put together two very good seasons keeping opposition forwards quiet. The only reason many haven't noticed is 1) we've been terrible, 2) he played in a defense with McGovern and Barrass, and 3) Harley Reid.

The correct answer here is Reuben Ginbey. If Mini starts him in defense, I think he'll turn some heads. I think it's a little premature for Hewett to break out, though I do expect a couple of moments that will garner attention.

Bonus points if Maric gets a run in defense and makes it work.

He'll piss it in for sure.

 

[We_The_West]

its a good point and the very good thing about the current crop is there are several players who could be this breakout player imo.
The list I have is Ginbey, JW, Hewett, Maric & we could get a surprise from 1 of the 2024 draftees.
Good problem to have for a change.

Great problem to have.

Really hoping Clay Hall, Whopper, Hutch and Dewar also take the next steps.

From the 2024 draftees, I think Tom Gross will surprise a lot of people - could be the smaller mongrel inside ball pig we are crying out for.

 

[EaglesVille]

Chesser was not a top ten pick

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

some kids are like the Al Bundy of footy. They peak in high school.

*U10s

I do wonder who the current recruiters would have taken with our first pick in that draft.

 

[Astro7]

Chesser was not a top ten pick

That's right, he was pick #14 in the draft, but was Eagles #1 pick?

 

[FatPizza]

Who writes this stuff? Hough isn't going to break out because he already has. Granted, the comparison to Sheppard is apt but to anyone paying attention, he's already put together two very good seasons keeping opposition forwards quiet. The only reason many haven't noticed is 1) we've been terrible, 2) he played in a defense with McGovern and Barrass, and 3) Harley Reid.

The correct answer here is Reuben Ginbey. If Mini starts him in defense, I think he'll turn some heads. I think it's a little premature for Hewett to break out, though I do expect a couple of moments that will garner attention.

Bonus points if Maric gets a run in defense and makes it work.

Don't think Ginbey will suffering from a lack of attention any more...

 

[Balls In]

If we aren't pushing the top end of the bottom eight questions will be asked about this years draft approach. I reckon we will have a significanty better year.

 

[We_The_West]

*U10s

I do wonder who the current recruiters would have taken with our first pick in that draft.

Chesser was our Taj Hotton high risk speccy

 

[Biggie]

REMINDER

When posting paywalled articles, post only the 1st paragraph and a link

This is within the rules

And whack that paragraph in a “quote”please.

Understand the want for information but the article is written by a fellow BF poster and has asked for them to be taken down.

Cheers

 

[Astro7]

M

REMINDER

When posting paywalled articles, post only the 1st paragraph and a link

This is within the rules

And whack that paragraph in a “quote”please.

Understand the want for information but the article is written by a fellow BF poster and has asked for them to be taken down.

Cheers

My bad, have deleted as many as I can find?