West Coast Eagles draft Elijah Hewett and Reuben Gibney to follow Campbell Chesser and Jai Culley in midfield

If you believe in the approach that the best way to re-build is to start with the engine room, then West Coast have given themselves every opportunity to rise back up the ladder with their approach to drafting. Having secured speedy big-bodied midfielder Campbell Chesser as a first round pick last season, West Coast then added Jai Culley at the mid-season rookie draft and he slotted into AFL well as a tackling machine across four games. The Eagles then traded backwards in the national draft to gain access to two first round picks instead of one and walked away with two more midfielders. Their first selection, Reuben Ginbey, started the year as a tall defender and finished as a dominant on-baller. He’s got height, strength, endurance and speed. It’s a powerful combination. The Eagles then went for the proven ability to play against men with their second pick. While many expected Claremont’s Ed Allan to become an Eagle after a barnstorming finish to the season at colts level, West Coast took a different approach. Elijah Hewett has played nine WAFL senior games and collected 20 possessions while also kicking a goal against West Perth late in the season. History has been kind when you consider early WA draftees who have proven themselves at league level. Think Daniel Rich, Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard and Jack Darling. It’s one thing to get 30 touches at colts level as a big fish in a small pond. It’s another to be the small fish in the big pond that is league footy and still perform strongly. Hewett will take that experience of playing against men and hope to have an immediate impact for the Eagles. West Coast’s midfield was old. Jack Redden has retired. Luke Shuey’s body is struggling. Andrew Gaff has turned 30. Elliot Yeo has barely played for three seasons. Even Dom Sheed only played one game last season. Top picks usually work out well. West Coast haven’t had many over the years. Getting two this season to go with the ones they picked since last year’s national draft is a strong way to re-build by starting with the midfield.