Jayden Hunt on the outer as Eagles turn to youth
Champion, who came through West Coast's Next Generation academy program, will make his debut as the sub in Friday night's clash with GWS at Optus Stadium.
The 19-year-old has kicked seven goals in 11 WAFL Eagles games this year, with his defensive pressure highlighted by an 11-tackle effort against Peel recently.
Champion's debut comes just a week after West Coast unveiled swingman Jobe Shanahan, who impressed with a goal and three marks from eight disposals in a 29-point loss to Collingwood.
The recent retirements of Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and grand final hero Dom Sheed (knee) - plus injuries to Elliot Yeo, Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman - have further accelerated West Coast's move to generation next.
Jamie Cripps, Allen, Hunt, Campbell Chesser, Jack Petruccelle and Tom Cole are among the more notable names who are coming out of contract at the end of this season.
Allen is being widely tipped to join either Brisbane or Hawthorn as a restricted free agent, but the rest of the players mentioned face a nervous wait to see if they will be offered a new deal.
It means Hunt's dramatic drop in form has come at the worst possible time, with the former Demon to be axed for the clash with GWS.
The 30-year-old tallied just one disposal from 14 per cent playing time as the sub last Saturday, which followed on from a two-disposal effort a week earlier against Carlton.
"Form can get everyone at different times," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said.
"We're going to send Hunty back (to the WAFL) and build his game again, like we've done with other players this year."
McQualter praised Malakai for his rapid progress this year.
And with the likes of Harley Reid, Bo Allan, Tyrell Dewar, Reuben Ginbey, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Sandy Brock, Archer Reid, Jack Williams, Shanahan and Tom McCarthy either having already made their mark or shown flashes of their potential, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel in West Coast's rebuild.
GWS (9-6) beat West Coast by 81 points earlier this year and will be aiming to post another percentage-boosting win.
West Coast will unleash small forward Malakai Champion as their eighth debutant of the year, but the AFL career of Jayden Hunt is on thin ice.
Champion, who came through West Coast's Next Generation academy program, will make his debut as the sub in Friday night's clash with GWS at Optus Stadium.
The 19-year-old has kicked seven goals in 11 WAFL Eagles games this year, with his defensive pressure highlighted by an 11-tackle effort against Peel recently.
Champion's debut comes just a week after West Coast unveiled swingman Jobe Shanahan, who impressed with a goal and three marks from eight disposals in a 29-point loss to Collingwood.
The recent retirements of Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and grand final hero Dom Sheed (knee) - plus injuries to Elliot Yeo, Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman - have further accelerated West Coast's move to generation next.
Jamie Cripps, Allen, Hunt, Campbell Chesser, Jack Petruccelle and Tom Cole are among the more notable names who are coming out of contract at the end of this season.
Allen is being widely tipped to join either Brisbane or Hawthorn as a restricted free agent, but the rest of the players mentioned face a nervous wait to see if they will be offered a new deal.
It means Hunt's dramatic drop in form has come at the worst possible time, with the former Demon to be axed for the clash with GWS.
The 30-year-old tallied just one disposal from 14 per cent playing time as the sub last Saturday, which followed on from a two-disposal effort a week earlier against Carlton.
"Form can get everyone at different times," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said.
"We're going to send Hunty back (to the WAFL) and build his game again, like we've done with other players this year."
McQualter praised Malakai for his rapid progress this year.
And with the likes of Harley Reid, Bo Allan, Tyrell Dewar, Reuben Ginbey, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Sandy Brock, Archer Reid, Jack Williams, Shanahan and Tom McCarthy either having already made their mark or shown flashes of their potential, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel in West Coast's rebuild.
GWS (9-6) beat West Coast by 81 points earlier this year and will be aiming to post another percentage-boosting win.
West Coast will unleash small forward Malakai Champion as their eighth debutant of the year, but the AFL career of Jayden Hunt is on thin ice.
Champion, who came through West Coast's Next Generation academy program, will make his debut as the sub in Friday night's clash with GWS at Optus Stadium.
The 19-year-old has kicked seven goals in 11 WAFL Eagles games this year, with his defensive pressure highlighted by an 11-tackle effort against Peel recently.
Champion's debut comes just a week after West Coast unveiled swingman Jobe Shanahan, who impressed with a goal and three marks from eight disposals in a 29-point loss to Collingwood.
The recent retirements of Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and grand final hero Dom Sheed (knee) - plus injuries to Elliot Yeo, Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman - have further accelerated West Coast's move to generation next.
Jamie Cripps, Allen, Hunt, Campbell Chesser, Jack Petruccelle and Tom Cole are among the more notable names who are coming out of contract at the end of this season.
Allen is being widely tipped to join either Brisbane or Hawthorn as a restricted free agent, but the rest of the players mentioned face a nervous wait to see if they will be offered a new deal.
It means Hunt's dramatic drop in form has come at the worst possible time, with the former Demon to be axed for the clash with GWS.
The 30-year-old tallied just one disposal from 14 per cent playing time as the sub last Saturday, which followed on from a two-disposal effort a week earlier against Carlton.
"Form can get everyone at different times," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said.
"We're going to send Hunty back (to the WAFL) and build his game again, like we've done with other players this year."
McQualter praised Malakai for his rapid progress this year.
And with the likes of Harley Reid, Bo Allan, Tyrell Dewar, Reuben Ginbey, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Sandy Brock, Archer Reid, Jack Williams, Shanahan and Tom McCarthy either having already made their mark or shown flashes of their potential, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel in West Coast's rebuild.
GWS (9-6) beat West Coast by 81 points earlier this year and will be aiming to post another percentage-boosting win.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
33 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Suns coach Damien Hardwick explodes at AFL's umpire contact change
Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick has taken aim at the AFL in the wake of a league-wide change to umpire contact. Earlier this week the AFL announced that players hit with a fourth or subsequent careless umpire contact charge within the past two seasons will likely be sent straight to the tribunal. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The change puts star Suns midfielder Matt Rowell in line for a ban if he is to be penalised again this season. Hardwick delivered a fiery and passionate rant in the direction of the league's head office as he called out a double standard in the change. 'If it leads to a suspension, look out from our point of view,' the three-time premiership coach said. 'I know we're the Gold Coast Suns, and don't get me wrong, Matt Rowell is a superstar, but if this was spoken about with Nick Daicos, Collingwood would tear the place down. 'Let's sit there and understand what we're talking about here. 'We can make a change about umpire adjudication, but we've been calling out for change to the tribunal for a period of time. Why can we, with the swipe of a pen, change one but not the other? 'End of rant'. Hardwick joined the chorus of senior coaches - including Brad Scott and Ross Lyon - to point out that majority of the incidents come from the centre bounce. The three-time flag-winning coach had a unique suggestion for the second half of the season as an alternative solution. 'What can you tell me about the centre bounce of the ball? It goes anywhere, so it's really really hard for the players ... if the ball bounces sideways, they're going to move,' he said. 'Have the AFL spoken to the AFL Commission and asked, 'can we, for the remainder of the year, take away the centre bounce and throw it up and see if there's any significant change in the data?'. 'Some of those ones against Rowelly, what he's getting fined for, are quite laughable, to be perfectly honest. 'We understand the health and safety of the umpires is important, but I think we can look at speaking to the Commission about getting rid of the bounce and throwing it up.' Outside of Rowell, St Kilda's Jack Macrae (four) and Carlton's Adam Cerra (three) are other top line stars now facing suspension if they transgress again this campaign. There have been 63 charges laid for careless umpire contact so far in 2025 following 56 charges in total in 2024 and 20 in 2023.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Saints sound the horns for new cult hero
St Kilda legends Trevor Barker and Nick Riewoldt regularly left fans' mouths gaping with their aerial feats. Supporters flocked to Moorabbin and Docklands to watch them play. But the athletic and courageous icons never had crowds donning viking helmets in their honour or blowing vuvuzela horns every time they flew for a grab. That privilege will instead go to the Saints' latest blonde bombshell - Alix Tauru - as his cult status grows. Of Swedish heritage, Tauru has already been dubbed the "Flying Viking" for his aerial presence and matched a St Kilda record with 14 spoils in the defeat to Fremantle last week. The 18-year-old defender has offered Saints supporters a glimmer of hope for a bright future as Ross Lyon's men attempt to breathe life back into their season against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. A group of fans plan to sell viking helmets at the game and sound plastic horns in support of their new hero, while major sponsor RSEA Safety will deck out the cheer squad in viking-themed hard hats. "It's a low bar in AFL footy, isn't it? Fourteen spoils? It used to be 14 goals," Lyon quipped when asked about third-gamer Tauru's status as a fan favourite. "We're excited by Alix. The best thing is he's very level, he understands he's only as good as his next moment at training and in games. "At the end of the day, you come up against another fierce and formidable opponent, and he'll know he's alive. "The challenges keep coming, but it is exciting." St Kilda (5-10) have hit the skids after a positive start to the season, with a horror 2-9 record over the last three months ending their finals hopes early. They will start underdogs against Sam Mitchell's Hawthorn (10-5), who are looking to extend a three-match winning streak and continue their push for a top-two spot. "We're a club that needs to get better. We're off the pack, but we're fighting hard," Lyon said. "We've got a strategy over a period of time that we're pursuing, but in the near time we want to win lots of games of AFL footy. "(We played) three quarters against Collingwood, three quarters against Fremantle, albeit spirited and some good signs. "We're looking to chase four quarters down, so that would be the aim this week." Hawthorn have named key pair James Sicily and James Worpel to return from injuries, offsetting the loss of Josh Weddle and Sam Butler. Former Hawks wingman Brad Hill returns for the Saints alongside Angus Hastie, with Jack Carroll and Tobie Travaglia omitted. Ex-Richmond teammates Dan Butler and Mabior Chol will reach significant milestones on opposing sides. St Kilda forward Butler will play his 150th AFL match, while Hawks tall Chol will line up in his 100th, nine years after his debut.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Luke Beveridge says the Western Bulldogs can beat the AFL's best teams despite a record which says otherwise
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge knows his team has to 'own up' to a poor record against top eight teams but is adamant his side has the game to stack up in finals. The Bulldogs dismissed yet another lower ranked team on Thursday night, putting North Melbourne away by 49 points in its centenary celebration at Marvel Stadium. Until Saturday night, pending Geelong and Hawthorn wins, the Bulldogs will hold fourth position on the ladder without defeating a side inside the top eight. Beveridge was initially playful with the word 'scalp' before declaring his side needed multiple of them to build its foundation for another premiership push. 'Scalp, we're not Navajo Indians, I don't necessarily think we need to brutalise it like that; I am joking, I am joking,' he said with a laugh. 'I think what we need is to keep winning to capitalise on our opportunity. 'The difference between one of the better sides and (being) in that mid-tier pack is winning those close ones against the more formidable opponents. 'If you say, 'Do you need a scalp?' … the short answer to it would be, 'We need scalps to finish high up on ladder' – we can't back away from that.' The Bulldogs have two chances at a top-eight win in as many weeks, with Adelaide and Brisbane in successive rounds. Beveridge is confident the Bulldogs are improving on previous performances against fellow good sides but knows they will need to be at their best to topple the Crows. 'We've had a pretty productive year, these teams who have beaten us who are above us, it hasn't been by much,' he said. 'Even though Sydney are below us, they brought a game style I think would stack up against any team in the competition, it was a pretty important win for us last week. 'Earlier in the year those games were going the other way … we acknowledge these are going to be tests, big tests against very good sides. 'I could see Adelaide coming at the end of last year, it's no surprise to us with their personnel and their acquisitions … no surprise they are where they are. 'Last time we played them there in Adelaide, they jumped us, took control and we were a bit second rate against them … we'll relish the challenge. 'We've got to own up to the fact that we haven't beaten anyone above us, we're in the mix but there's some opportunities on the stretch to keep winning.'
