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How to tune into Sport Nation“Grateful” Eagles chief addresses AFL assistance
Andrew Slevison • October 1st, 2025 5:08 pm
West Coast CEO Don Pyke has addressed the assistance package handed to the club by the AFL.
The Eagles received a draft and list assistance package from the league which includes a selection at the end of the first round (currently Pick 19) in this year’s draft as well as four additional rookie list spots for 2026 through to 2028.
So, what made the Eagles ask for draft assistance?
Pyke said a combination of elements had forced them to go this way, but ultimately the fact they’ve been well below par for the past four seasons forced the issue.
“We assessed where we’re at and midway through the season it wasn’t trending the way we wanted it to,” Pyke said on SEN WA Mornings.
“The last few drafts have been the most compromised since the Giants came in.
“We’ve made some errors in the past, we’ve acknowledged those, and said that we find ourselves here through a combination of some mismanagement issues, some retirements from concussions which haven’t helped.
“We accept responsibility for all of that. But the feeling was to enable us to get back to where we can consistently put a team out there that is capable of competing and winning games for the benefit of the competition as well.
“Right now if we’ve won 11 games and finished bottom three the last four years, if we’re not going to ask now I’m not sure when we’re going to.
“So we took the decision and we’re grateful the AFL saw it that way and has seen fit to give us some assistance. Now the work is over to us.”
Pyke touched on a number of other topics.
On Pick 19 and if they’ll use it or trade it:
“We haven’t decided that yet,” Pyke replied to Mark Duffield.
“Obviously you’ve got more chips at the table which is great. It’s probably a matter of the recruiting team looking at what’s in the draft.
“There’s opportunities to combine the Hawthorn pick (15) with one of those picks and maybe try to elevate up. There might be a deal in there we could end up with potentially three picks in the top 10.
“We’re also trying to bring in some experienced players that can assist in that gap that is 23 to 28-year-olds.”
What happens with Brandon Starcevich given his concussion history?
“It’s certainly something we have to take into account.
“We’ll touch base with Brisbane and inquire about his wellbeing. His recent history with concussion is known and it’s something we have to factor in.
“It’s a known known. We know he has a history there and therefore we’ll contract accordingly.”
If Starcevich does join as a free agent from the Lions, does it dilute the Oscar Allen compensation?
“The way the rules are written, if there’s any free agency player you bring in it does adjust your free agency compensation if you do lose a player.
“So we’re mindful of that, understanding what potentially we’ll get for Oscar’s request to go to Brisbane. We wouldn’t want to discount that in any way so there might be a necessity to trade, yes.”
Say the Eagles get Pick 2 for Allen, would they consider splitting either Pick 1 or 2 to get an extra player at the top end of the draft?
“Everything is on the table. Until we get a feel for how our recruiters have ranked the talent and how they see that talent, and understand what might be on the table for a Pick 2, it’s really hard to speculate.
“We’re trying to get the best possible hair to get the best possible talent.”
On the type of player the Eagles will look to draft:
“Our midfield is an area we’re looking to fill. We expect further growth in Harley (Reid), we’re hopeful we get (Elliot) Yeo back playing consistently, Tim Kelly we saw at the end of the year is still a very good AFL player.
“But we want to add some more guys through there it’s just a matter of the currency you’ve got to pay to get them in.
“If it is Picks 1 and 2 we can get a high-quality midfielder or two in there which sets us up for the next wave.”
On the club’s interest in Richmond’s Tylar Young:
“We’re continuing to talk to a number of players. They’re all at various stages.
“In the case of Tylar, we’re in the market for a full-back. With ‘Gov’ (Jeremy McGovern) retiring and we lost Tom (Barrass) the year before (to Hawthorn), we felt that was a bit of a need.
“We’ve targeted him and fingers crossed. We don’t know, you never know with these things until they’re hooked, lined and on the boat.”
On Northern Academies and father-son rules:
“The investment the AFL has made in the northern states has been significant and we’re starting to see the fruits of that which is great.
“The challenge is getting the balance right between allowing the club developing that talent and being part of that access, and making sure it’s not a compromised draft.
“We’ve seen the last couple of years that is has become that.
“The AFL is looking at how to do that (balance it) now. The general principle I have is fair price - what you have to pay and what the market demands.
“I know the AFL is looking at it. I’m sure things will change to try and get fair to equilibrium around the price to pay, whether or not father-son is a part of that… I suspect it will be part of the same bracket.”
Listen to the full chat with Pyke below:
