Two-time West Coast premiership player Glen Jakovich says his former club’s off-season recruits represent bargain buys.
Alex Witherden moved to the Eagles from Brisbane in the recently completed trade period, while Zac Langdon sealed a move back to his home state from GWS.
Jakovich said he was excited to see what both players could do and held out high hopes for Witherden in particular, who he pinpointed as a possible future replacement for captain Shannon Hurn in defence once he retires.
“In comes Alex Witherden and Zac Langdon, I like the ins and think those are both bargains,” he said on Sportsday WA.
“Especially Alex Witherden, he was a first rounder a couple of years ago and was an elite kick in the national academy program. In this day and age, you need elite kicks that can pull the trigger on 45 degrees when you’re going through the corridor.
“He’ll be looking a suitable replacement for Shannon Hurn one day.”
West Coast will be looking to improve on their shock Elimination Final loss to Collingwood in 2020 and Jakovich said it was up to the players outside of the best 22 to put more pressure to break into the side.
“The list is still very strong, they’ll be a contender and be right up there,” he said.
“Elliot Yeo is a big one and I wouldn’t mind seeing him delaying his start by two or three weeks and then you get the back end of the year where you get him playing his optimum footy.
“Their backline is solid, Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern and were all All-Australians last year. Shannon Hurn is going to be an interesting one, he’s looking the goods but it’s only January.
“But where I’m looking at is for the next generation to step up. I like Josh Rotham – I reckon he’s been a bit unlucky a few times to be left out of the side.
“If West Coast are to win the flag, they need pressure from the 24th player right up until the 30th player playing well in their reserves team.”