West Coast are a rebuilding side, but they are now three years into the process, and things should start turning around for them soon. They’ve recruited some new players who could have an impact from an AFL Fantasy perspective, while the development of some of their younger talents might see them become strong scorers this season. While they might not be the most exciting team to watch on TV, they are certainly worth monitoring for fantasy purposes.
Undervalued Players
Liam Baker
Liam Baker has moved to West Coast after being traded from Richmond in the offseason. He has always shown immense potential but has been thrown into various roles across the field, including forward, defence, and midfield. This season, it looks like he will finally lock down a permanent role at halfback. This should suit him well for scoring, especially with the likelihood of him taking the kick-ins. If he does settle in this role, he could be a top-five fantasy forward this year—just don’t expect him to retain forward status in the long term.
Jack Graham
Listed as a forward in AFL Fantasy, Jack Graham’s scoring hasn’t been great over the past few years, but he is expected to lock down a midfield role at West Coast. His experience and hardness around the contest should be valuable, particularly with Elliot Yeo’s ongoing injury concerns. When given consistent midfield time in the past, Graham has been an 80-average player, making him a solid fantasy option if he secures that role.
Matt Flynn
It’s unclear whether West Coast recruited Matt Flynn as their number-one ruckman or as a backup. He suffered an injury just before Round 1 last year, keeping him sidelined for most of the season. Flynn showed signs of being a strong fantasy ruck at GWS, so he could be worth a late-round selection if you need ruck depth in your league.
Breakout Candidates
Harley Reid
After a solid debut season, Harley Reid is expected to take another step forward. He may not become a high accumulator, limiting his fantasy ceiling, but he should still be a reliable contributor in keeper league midfields. His long-term projection suggests a 90-100 average, so he’s worth drafting appropriately rather than reaching too early based on hype.
Reuben Ginbey
Reuben Ginbey has had opportunities at AFL level but hasn’t yet delivered strong fantasy numbers. There’s talk of him moving to a halfback role this season, which could improve his scoring. As a junior, he was highly rated, and he’s entering his third year—a key breakout period. His preseason role will be crucial to watch.
Brady Hough
Brady Hough has shown flashes of fantasy relevance when playing off the halfback flank. However, the arrival of Liam Baker and a potential defensive role for Ginbey could impact his scoring. If Liam Duggan moves into the midfield, Hough may still have an opportunity to play an important role in defence. He’s worth a late selection, but don’t overreach.
Jack Hutchinson
Jack Hutchinson makes the list because he has been training with the midfield group during the preseason and is listed as a forward. There’s speculation he could play on the wing, offering West Coast a taller option in that role. While wingers don’t always translate to strong fantasy scorers, he could lift his average enough to be a serviceable F5 selection in drafts.
Stash Options
Elijah Hewett
Elijah Hewett missed most of last season due to injury but showed promise in his debut year. His fantasy value will depend on whether he settles as a forward or midfielder. Given West Coast’s current rebuild, they may trial him in the midfield, where he has the potential to thrive. He may take another year or two to develop fully, making him a good stash option.
Clay Hall
Clay Hall averaged 96 points per game in the Under-18 Championships in 2023 and was close to debuting early last season before a concussion set him back. He faced further setbacks throughout the year but is reportedly training well and could push for senior selection in 2025. Given his potential, he’s worth stashing in deeper keeper leagues.
Rookie Watch
Bo Allan
Bo Allan was West Coast’s first selection in the 2024 draft. As a junior, he played both as a defender and a midfielder, showing solid numbers in both roles. To learn more about him, check out our draftee analysis guide and our draftee fantasy podcast.
