As the 2025 AFL season unfolds, the West Coast Eagles are at a pivotal juncture, seeking to fast-track their rebuild by identifying young talents who can emerge as midfield stars. With a heavy investment in onballers like Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, and Campbell Chesser, only Reid has established himself in the Eagles' engine room. Ginbey has been flourishing at half-back, while Hewett and Chesser are in the process of returning from injuries. This scenario has made the impressive performances of young players like Clay Hall and Tyrell Dewar against Brisbane, along with the promising form of midfield draftee Tom Gross in the WAFL, particularly significant.
Hall and Gross were both recruited with pick No.46 in 2023 and 2024, respectively, while Dewar is a product of the Next Generation Academy. Their ability to claim a long-term spot in a midfield that has struggled early in the season, particularly in the absence of Elliot Yeo, is crucial for the Eagles. Hall's recent performance was particularly eye-catching; in just his fourth AFL game on March 23, 2025, he finished with a team-high seven clearances, 14 contested possessions, and even scored his first career goal. Unfortunately for the young star, he won't get the chance to build on that performance in the upcoming Derby due to Jack Graham's swift recovery from injury.
Reflecting on his debut against a dual Brownlow medallist like Lachie Neale, Hall expressed, "I reckon that's definitely the best way to learn, and I'll take so much from that game. You can watch as much footage as you want, but you don't really get to showcase your game and learn how to fight against [opponents] unless you're actually in the position to be going up against those players." This experience has left Hall feeling confident about his future, stating, "I think I showed that I can match it at the level, so it gives me a lot of confidence going forward."
Football manager Gavin Bell showed faith in Hall by calling him up as a last-minute replacement for Graham, and the young midfielder was eager to seize the opportunity. "To know they had that much trust in me gave me a lot of confidence," Hall said. "I'm more of a natural inside mid, but obviously it's very hard fitting into a midfield in a good AFL team with our midfield, so I had a bit of an apprenticeship on the wing last year. But to get the call up to go inside, it sort of played into my hands a bit better and they kept it very simple for me."
Meanwhile, Tom Gross has also been making waves, showcasing his skills in a WAFL practice game where he contributed to a 12-point win against Swan Districts on March 29, 2025. The Eagles currently have seasoned players like Tim Kelly, Liam Duggan, Liam Baker, and Graham in the midfield, but the success of Hall and Gross could be pivotal in determining how far the team's rebuild progresses this season.
On another front, all eyes are on Harley Reid as he navigates his second season at West Coast after being drafted with the number one pick in 2023. The 19-year-old from Tongala, Victoria, has been the subject of intense media scrutiny, particularly after a rocky start to the season. Reid has struggled to make an impact in his first two games, and his frustrations were highlighted when he was fined $1000 by the MRO for a cheeky middle finger gesture towards a Brisbane supporter in Round 2.
Speaking to News Corp at the launch of his partnership with Optimum Nutrition, Reid acknowledged the challenges of being a high-profile player: "It was obviously a huge adjustment from what I am used to, I guess, and a lot of players don't go through that type of stuff. It's something I'm still getting used to, but I have got more comfortable over the past 18 months and I try not to read into it too much either."
Reid reflected on his desire to return to form, stating, "For me it's kind of going back to what I bring to the game and I think if I have done the work during the week and prepared best, I let my footy do the talking. I think if I am confident enough, my talent will take over and I'll be able to play my best footy." He also noted the importance of consistency, saying, "Last year, consistency probably wasn't there as much as I would have liked, so this year it's something I want to strive to improve and be consistent through the year, not just one or two games here or there and also maintain it for four quarters."
Reid has also been receiving guidance from veteran teammate Jeremy McGovern, who has provided him with tips to enhance his performance. "'Gov' has been huge for that, he's given me a few little tips and tweaks to bring into my game to get consistency and bring back what I do best in those times when I feel a bit out of it," Reid explained.
As speculation continues about his contract future, Reid remains focused on his current role in the team. He is under contract until the end of 2026 on an initial three-year deal, yet discussions about his future have not ceased. He humorously dismissed questions about a potential move back to his home state, emphasizing the positive environment at West Coast: "They've been great, with all the new draftees coming in, they look after them super well and just make it feel like another home very quickly."
Looking ahead to the highly anticipated 60th Western Derby on March 30, 2025, Reid is hoping to replicate the success he enjoyed in his first Derby encounter, where he collected 19 disposals and kicked three goals in an upset victory for the Eagles last season. With both teams struggling at 0-2 and coming off close defeats in Round 2, this Derby is shaping up to be a classic showdown.
As the Eagles prepare for this crucial match, the spotlight will be on their young talents like Hall and Gross, alongside the seasoned efforts of Reid, as they aim to turn their season around and reclaim their competitive edge in the AFL.
