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Eagles urged to fire back by targeting quartet of Hawks
Andrew Slevison • April 2nd, 2025 12:51 pm
It’s time for the West Coast Eagles to return to their ruthless ways and start firing back.
That is what Garry Lyon wants to see after it became apparent that Eagles captain Oscar Allen had held a meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.
The Eagles already lost premiership defender Tom Barrass to the Hawks last year, have Harley Reid in their sights and now their skipper is being pursued.
Lyon praised Hawthorn’s merciless approach while describing the Eagles as prey for other clubs.
“I’m at absolute pains to say that this is in no way a criticism of Hawthorn, good on ‘em,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“This is not a business for the nice guy. No, this is prey on the weak.
“Right now, that is where West Coast are at. The West Coast Eagles are in danger of not being a bird of prey, they’re in danger of being a prey for birds.
“The West Coast Eagles are not birds of prey. They’re not the big birds of prey, they’re prey for birds right now and they’ve got to hit back.
“Remember the West Coast that we knew? They were ruthless, savage, feared in the competition. Now they’ve got opposition coaches closing into their territory and picking off their players.”
Lyon has called on West Coast to use the help of powerful long-time supporter Jack Cowin of Hungry Jack’s fame.
He implored the Eagles to turn the tables, identifying four Hawthorn players the Perth club could go after this year.
“Fire up, get your big heavy-hitters, get Jack Cowin, he is Hungry Jack. Get your heaviest hitters in the room and put a package together,” he continued.
“I did a bit of homework. Lloyd Meek is out of contact at the end of the year.
“Calsher Dear is out of contract, Josh Ward is out of contact, James Worpel is a free agent.
“If I was the West Coast Eagles, I’d get on the phone to their managers and go, ‘Here, this is what we can do for Lloyd Meek’. He’s having a fantastic year. Put a package together for him that says, ‘If you come to us, not only will we tip you into a Hungry Jack’s, we will tip you into some stock, and you’ll get a million bucks playing footy for us’.
“At worst you make it hard for Hawthorn.
“Flex your off-field muscle and see if you can make life difficult for the team who have come and picked off your full-back, your captain and maybe your No.1 pick (Harley Reid).”
Ruckman Meek has been a revelation for the Hawks since joining from West Coast’s WA rival Fremantle in late 2022.
Key forward Dear remains sidelined with a back injury after a 25-goal debut season, midfielder Ward has started his fourth season strongly and gun mid Worpel is recovering from an ankle injury.
All four are in Hawthorn’s starting 22 when up and running.
Listen to the Eagles chat below:
