Race of two rebuilds: Are Richmond pulling ahead of West Coast? (West Aust.)

[one-eyed]

Race of two rebuilds: Are Richmond Tigers pulling ahead of West Coast Eagles in ladder resurgence?

West Australian
17 July 2025

It’s the race of the rebuilds.

More than half a decade ago, West Coast interrupted a run of premierships from a dynasty Richmond side, as the two teams claimed four consecutive flags between them.

Now, the two sides are on track for their third wooden spoons in as many seasons between them, having claimed one each over the past two years; West Coast in 2023, Richmond in 2024.

But while the last-placed Eagles (1-16) are still trailing behind the rest of the pack, the Tigers are clawing their way back up the ladder.

Richmond already have four victories under their belt in 2025, despite early concerns they might not win a game this year, after hitting the big red rebuild button at the end of last year.

Adem Yze had just finished his first season at the helm when the club traded premiership stars in Shai Bolton (Fremantle), Liam Baker (West Coast) and Daniel Rioli (Gold Coast) and moved on free agent Jack Graham (West Coast).

That followed the era-defining retirement of triple Norm Smith Medallist Dustin Martin, among others.

On top of adding picks through player trades and free agency, the Tigers also cleverly cashed in on rival clubs chasing draft capital in order to bid on father-son and academy prospects, further boosting their hand for 2024.

Eight players, including six taken in the first round, made their way to Punt Road in the national draft with highly-touted midfielder Sam Lalor the club’s first selection.

That crop have already played a combined 60 games this year, with all except the injured Josh Smillie making their debut.
At the same time, Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Nathan Broad, Nick Vlastuin and Kamdyn McIntosh are among the experienced heads still adding value.

West Coast have dealt with significant injuries to Jake Waterman (shoulder), Jeremy McGovern (concussion), Elliot Yeo (ankle), Dom Sheed (knee) and Oscar Allen (calf/knee/Achilles) while Tim Kelly’s form has dropped.

The Eagles brought in five players through the national draft; top local talent Bo Allan (pick 16), key tall Jobe Shanahan (30), midfielder Tom Gross (46), utility Lucca Grego (48) and medium forward Hamish Davis (65).

That followed letting go of pick two in a multi-club deal to secure Baker and Matt Owies from Carlton, while the Eagles also farewelled Jack Darling as a free agent and traded Tom Barrass to Hawthorn for future selections.

In 2023, the Eagles took generational talent Harley Reid with pick No.1, key forward Archer Reid with pick 30, midfielder Clay Hall with pick 38 and wingman Harvey Johnston with pick 49.

In 2022, West Coast split pick two to secure WA duo Reuben Ginbey (pick nine) and Elijah Hewett (14), ruckman Harry Barnett (23), defender Coby Burgiel (29) and small forward Noah Long (58).

The turnover has been significant, on and off the field, but as new coach Andrew McQualter approaches the end of his first season, West Coast have a similar opportunity to hit their own big red button.

Flag heroes Dom Sheed and McGovern have retired. Oscar Allen is out of contract and appears likely to depart as a free agent. Liam Ryan has been floated as potential trade bait.

And then there’s Reid, who has been linked to a move home to Victoria before he was even handed the blue and gold No.9 jumper despite being contracted until the end of next year.

Even if Reid stays, the Eagles already have Hawthorn’s first, second and third-round selections as part of the Barrass trade and could land pick two as compensation for Allen.

Add first dibs for Next Generation Academy products including Koby Evans and Tylah Williams, as well as father-son prospect Charlie Banfield and it could be a defining draft for West Coast.

Get it right, and you accelerate the rebuild like Richmond have.

Get it wrong - in a draft heavily compromised at the top end by NGA and father-son selections - and a team building from scratch could set you even further back.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-coast-eagles/race-of-two-rebuilds-are-richmond-tigers-pulling-ahead-of-west-coast-eagles-in-ladder-resurgence-c-19375012

[one-eyed]

THE KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAILING AND FIRING REBUILDS

Jack Jovanovski, Max Laughton and Ben Cotton
Foxsports
21 July 2025

It was billed as the ‘Battle of the Rebuilds” but if Saturday’s result is anything to go by, Richmond are miles ahead of a worrisome West Coast.

The Tigers demolished the Eagles in a one-sided encounter at Optus Stadium, raising plenty of questions over where West Coast’s list actually sits.

It was young Eagle Harley Reid playing a lone hand in the 49-point loss, leaving Fox Footy’s David King to question where his back-up is coming from.

Elliot Yeo hasn’t featured all year due to injury – but remains signed until the end of 2027, while Tim Kelly hasn’t been able to find his best - in and out of the side as a result of form.

King said it was crucial rebuilding sides had veteran bodies to call on in high-pressure situations, particularly in the midfield.

In Saturday night’s win, the Tigers were led admirably by senior ball-getters Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper — who combined for 63 disposals, 15 clearances and five goals — while on the other side of the coin, second-year prodigy Reid had minimal support.

“I think this is a good discussion to have, because you’ve got to keep some senior core players at your club and in your lineup when you go through a full rebuild like this,” King said.

“Hopper and Taranto are able to lead the way in the midfield, and not throw all the weight (on the youngsters). We’re looking at Harley Reid — who’s supporting Harley Reid at the moment?

“He’s just a young kid trying to find his way as well. They just don’t have the senior bodies at the moment.

“Richmond has got (Nick) Vlastuin down back, (Nathan) Broad … they’ve got enough senior core players to just steady the ship at the right times.”

Even Eagles coach Andrew McQualter conceded he needed to find someone to provide the support Reid needs.

“We’re aware we’ve got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield,” he said.

“It’s not an easy position for him – we’re going to work hard to give him help.”

While the Eagles are now all-but resigned to their second wooden spoon in three years, the Tigers are riding high off the back of a fifth win – and their first back to back victory in more than two years.

“Back-to-back. That’s five wins for the year, and there were a few pundits out there who said they wouldn’t win a game,” Jack Riewoldt said on Fox Footy’s Super Saturday Live.

“So, that’s five more than Mark Bickley, I reckon, said that they wouldn’t win a game this year. I kept the receipt, don’t worry.

“I think, to travel and win away from home is a big step in the right direction for Adem Yze and his coaching group and his playing group.

“(They’re) showing a little bit without one of their spearheads in Tom Lynch.”

Saturday night represented the first occasion since 2023 that Richmond has gone over 100 points.

And that means all signs are pointing to a promising rebuild.

“West Coast, you’d have to say, have been 3/10. And I think, Richmond, for where they’ve come from, they’re probably an 8/10. It’s been remarkable what they’ve been able to put in place so quickly,” King said of the current rebuild status of each side.

“And to see these young players get their opportunity — he hasn’t hidden them away, the coach, he’s put them in the front-line action, which has been terrific — and I think for all Richmond fans, they’ve had a dip for about 18 months and they’re back into it again; it’s amazing.

“This is a full-club rebuild, so well done.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-round-19-talking-points-analysis-reaction-and-wrap-difference-between-richmond-and-west-coast-rebuilds-essendon-players-who-will-survive-list-cull-latest-news/news-story/20b1dfd1f418988a02bca58558943534