Dennis Cometti has criticised the West Coast’s trade and draft action in recent years, predicting a bleak decade ahead for Adam Simpson’s Eagles.
Cometti says he “can’t see how they get better” before explaining how they could’ve handled the Tim Kelly trade in a better way.
“Getting Kelly back (to Perth) for two first round draft picks and not taking him when they had four goes at him with no other teams sort of in the marketplace … they’re going to be hard pressed for the next decade,” Cometti told Sportsday.
“They could have drafted him any one of four years and just put him on the rookie list … they go then when he plays at Geelong and does so well and give up two first round draft picks.
“I don’t see it getting easily fixed.”
It comes as West Coast missed the top eight in 2021, falling from fifth on the ladder in 2020 to ninth in 2021, with many criticising the Eagles for not having enough depth or future talent.
“They’ve got nothing to trade … maybe one last hurrah, that’s the best I can do,” Cometti said.
The Eagles hold picks 10, 29, 36, 50, and 65 in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft.