Can West Coast finish higher than Fremantle this season?
While it seems unlikely on the surface given the Eagles finished 17th and the Dockers finished fifth last season, Adam Simpson’s side have been tipped to improve in 2023.
Discussing the topic on SEN WA Breakfast, Coleman Medallist Scott Cummings and host Tim Gossage both agreed that it would take a big slide for the Dockers to dip below their Perth rivals.
Despite this, Gossage in particular has Justin Longmuir’s team dropping with the Eagles potentially surpassing them if they do everything right in 2023.
Gossage: “It won’t be a successful year if Fremantle finish between fifth and eighth.”
Cummings: “No, it won’t be at all, but I don’t think they will, I think they are a big chance (of finishing top four).”
Gossage: “Really? See I’ve got them going the other way, I am concerned.”
Cummings: “You’ve got them sliding?”
Gossage: “Yeah … I was concerned and I know it’s pre-season and things will amp up … but I was concerned in part about what I saw against the Adelaide Crows.
“It’s only match simulation, but players are still pretty willing, I wasn’t overly impressed.
“The thing that’s come out of it on the weekend is Alex Pearce (and his injury), this was the concern about him being captain.”
Cummings: “How far have you got them sliding?”
Gossage: “Well, they won’t finish top four, and I think they have to (to win the premiership).”
Cummings: “As an interstate team, it’s really tough (from outside the top four).”
Gossage: “I reckon there’s eight or nine clubs pushing for that premiership window in the next two years, West Coast are not, so you can forget about that.”
Cummings: “You need to wipe away 90 per cent of West Coast’s last season.”
Gossage: “Do I think West Coast can finish above Freo? It’s going to take a lot, they’re going to have to do everything right.”
Cummings: “Freo would need an almighty slide and a lot of bad luck to finish below West Coast.”
Gossage: “It’s impossible to predict bad luck, but Freo is due, they’ve had a pretty good run.”
Cummings: “If you are off five per cent, you will slide, there’s no doubt about that.”
West Coast kick off their season with a Round 1 clash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on March 18 while Fremantle face St Kilda at the same venue the following day.