2014 West Coast Eagles season

West Coast Eagles
2014 season
CoachAdam Simpson
Captain(s)Darren Glass (to rd. 12)
Five co-captains
Shannon Hurn
Josh Kennedy
Eric Mackenzie
Matt Priddis
Scott Selwood
Home groundPatersons Stadium
AFL season9th
Best & fairestEric Mackenzie
Leading goalkickerJosh Kennedy (61)
Highest home attendance40,476
(v Fremantle, rd 7)
Lowest home attendance25,076
(v Sydney, rd 16)
Average home attendance34,198
← 2013 2015 →

The 2014 season was the West Coast Eagles' 28th season in the Australian Football League (AFL), the premier Australian rules football competition. The 2014 season also marks the first season of the club's reserves affiliation with the East Perth Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). West Coast finished thirteenth in the previous season, despite having made the finals in the two preceding seasons. At the end of the 2013 season, previous coach John Worsfold retired, after twelve seasons in the position, and was replaced by Adam Simpson, who had not coached previously at AFL level. Darren Glass was retained as captain for a seventh season, with Josh Kennedy and Scott Selwood as vice-captains. However, Glass retired from football after round 12, and was replaced by five acting co-captains: Shannon Hurn, Kennedy, Eric Mackenzie, Matt Priddis, and Selwood. Undefeated in the 2014 pre-season competition (which used a different format to previous years), West Coast started its season against the Western Bulldogs on 23 March. The club failed to qualify for the 2014 finals series, finishing its season in ninth place, with 11 wins and 11 losses. Priddis won the highest individual award, the Brownlow Medal, Beau Waters won the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, and Mackenzie was the club champion winning the John Worsfold Medal. No players from West Coast were selected on the All-Australian team.

Squad and leadership group

Darren Glass was initially named captain of the West Coast Eagles for a seventh season, having taken over from Chris Judd from the 2008 season. Scott Selwood and Josh Kennedy were named vice-captains, while Dean Cox and Matt Priddis were also named to the leadership group.[1] Beau Waters, who had been sole vice-captain for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, stepped down from the role to concentrate on his recovery from persistent shoulder injuries.[2] Leadership positions were voted on by the playing group as a whole, and confirmed by the senior coach, the match committee, and the board.[3] Darren Glass announced his retirement from football prior to round 13 of the season.[4] Five players were named acting co-captains for the remainder of the season: Shannon Hurn, Josh Kennedy, Eric Mackenzie, Matt Priddis, and Scott Selwood.[5]

Rookies:

Pre-season

List changes and coaching changes

West Coast delisted Bradd Dalziell and Cale Morton at the end of the 2013 season.[6] Murray Newman was also delisted, but was redrafted by the club with pick 38 in the 2014 Rookie Draft.[7] Brad Dick, Andrew Embley, Ashton Hams, Daniel Kerr, Mark Nicoski, and Adam Selwood all retired from AFL football at various stages during and after the season.[8][9][10][11] During the trade period, Hawthorn player Xavier Ellis joined West Coast on a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent.[12] Midway through the season, in August 2014, West Coast signed former professional baseball player Corey Adamson, adding him to the rookie list under the three-year non-registered rule, which allows clubs to recruit players who have not been registered with an AFL-affiliated competition. He had previously played underage representative football for Western Australia.[13]

The club's longest-serving senior coach, John Worsfold, resigned on 5 September 2013, after twelve seasons in the position.[14] A number of candidates interviewed for the position, notably West Coast assistant Scott Burns, Hawthorn assistant Adam Simpson, Fremantle assistant Peter Sumich, and Sydney assistant Leigh Tudor.[15] Simpson and Sumich, who had previously been an assistant under Worsfold, progressed to the final interview before the club's board, with Simpson announced as the club's new coach on 3 October 2013.[16][17] A number of other coaching staff also left the club at the end of the 2013 season, though their departures were unrelated. Assistants Scott Burns and David Teague left to join Collingwood and St Kilda, respectively,[18] while strategy coach Phil Walsh left to fill the same position at Port Adelaide, and was replaced by Don Pyke.[19][20] After Adam Simpon's appointment as senior coach, former North Melbourne player Brady Rawlings and former Geelong and Carlton player Adrian Hickmott were made assistant coaches, joining Justin Longmuir.[21][22] Two previous West Coast players, Adam Selwood and Jaymie Graham, and another former North Melbourne player, Daniel Pratt, were also appointed to development coaching roles.[23][24][25]

Trades and draft selections

Trades:

National Draft selections:[29]

Rookie Draft selections:[30]

NAB Challenge and practice matches

Unlike previous pre-season tournaments, the 2014 NAB Challenge did not have a grand final or overall winner,[31] instead consisting of "18 games in 18 days", with each team playing twice.[32] West Coast began by defeating Fremantle by 84 points at Arena Joondalup,[33] and also won their second game, against Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Date Score Opponent Opponent's
score 		Result Venue Attendance
Tuesday, 18 February 4:10pm 2.20.10 (148) Fremantle 0.10.4 (64) Won by 84 points Arena Joondalup 10,737
Thursday, 27 February 7:10pm 0.10.12 (72) Sydney 0.5.7 (37) Won by 35 points Blacktown ISP 3,045
Thursday, 6 March 4:40pm 13.8 (86) Fremantle 9.13 (67) Won by 19 points Patersons Stadium 12,000

Home-and-away season

Results

Home team's score listed in bold:

Round Date Score Opponent Opponent's
score 		Result Venue Attendance
1 Sunday, 23 March 4:40pm 21.8 (134) Western Bulldogs 11.3 (69) Won by 65 points Patersons Stadium 36,752
2 Sunday, 30 March 3:20pm 18.15 (123) Melbourne 4.6 (30) Won by 93 points MCG 22,229
3 Saturday, 5 April 4:40pm 12.11 (83) St Kilda 8.10 (58) Won by 25 points Patersons Stadium 36,448
4 Saturday, 12 April 7:40pm 4.8 (32) Geelong 16.11 (107) Lost by 75 points Skilled Stadium 25,271
5 Saturday, 19 April 5:40pm 7.14 (56) Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) Lost by 14 points Patersons Stadium 35,366
6 Saturday, 26 April 4:40pm 12.17 (89) Carlton 14.8 (92) Lost by 3 points Etihad Stadium 31,005
7 Sunday, 4 May 2:40pm 7.12 (54) Fremantle 11.7 (73) Lost by 19 points Patersons Stadium 40,476
8 Sunday, 11 May 2:40pm 30.8 (188) GWS 12.5 (77) Won by 111 points Patersons Stadium 29,391
9 bye
10 Saturday, 24 May 4:40pm 15.11 (101) Collingwood 17.7 (109) Lost by 8 points MCG 53,049
11 Sunday, 1 June 5:40pm 6.8 (44) North Melbourne 12.10 (82) Lost by 38 points Patersons Stadium 35,914
12 Saturday, 7 June 1:40pm 12.7 (79) Hawthorn 19.9 (123) Lost by 44 points Aurora Stadium 15,504
13 Saturday, 14 June 2:40pm 15.13 (103) Gold Coast 15.10 (100) Won by 3 points Patersons Stadium 32,942
14 Sunday, 22 June 3:20pm 10.10 (70) St Kilda 15.13 (103) Won by 33 points Etihad Stadium 17,317
15 Saturday, 28 June 2:40pm 13.10 (88) Fremantle 11.15 (81) Lost by 7 points Patersons Stadium 40,490
16 Sunday, 6 July 1:20pm 7.9 (51) Sydney 10.19 (79) Lost by 28 points Patersons Stadium 25,076
17 Saturday, 12 July 7:40pm 9.10 (64) Brisbane Lions 11.10 (76) Won by 12 points The Gabba 13,610
18 Friday, 25 July 6:40pm 6.6 (42) Richmond 8.11 (59) Lost by 17 points Patersons Stadium 32,270
19 Saturday, 2 August 1:10pm 20.16 (136) Adelaide 16.9 (105) Won by 31 points Adelaide Oval 49,470
20 Sunday, 10 August 2:40pm 19.12 (126) Collingwood 10.6 (66) Won by 60 points Patersons Stadium 36,458
21 Saturday, 16 August 4:40pm 11.8 (74) Essendon 11.11 (77) Lost by 3 points Etihad Stadium 35,905
22 Saturday, 23 August 5:40pm 18.11 (119) Melbourne 8.5 (53) Won by 66 points Patersons Stadium 35,905
23 Sunday, 31 August 1:10pm 23.13 (151) Gold Coast 15.9 (99) Won by 52 points Metricon Stadium 11,840

source: West Coast Eagles, 11 August 2014

Tribunal cases

Seven West Coast Eagles players have so far been cited by the Match Review Panel during the 2014 season, with Patrick McGinnity, Luke Shuey, Darren Glass, Mark LeCras, and Josh Kennedy receiving suspensions:[34]

Player Round Charge category Subject of offence (club) Result Verdict Carry-over[b]
Patrick McGinnity PS Rough conduct Danyle Pearce (Fremantle) Guilty (early plea) Suspension (one match) 96.17
Scott Selwood PS Misconduct Craig Bird (Sydney) Guilty (early plea) Fine ($900) 0
Sharrod Wellingham 1 Tripping Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs) Guilty (early plea) Reprimand 93.75
Luke Shuey 3 Striking Tom Curren (St Kilda) Guilty (early plea) Suspension (one match) 85.63
Darren Glass 5 Rough conduct Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) Guilty (early plea) Suspension (one match) 64.06
Mark LeCras 8 Rough conduct Will Hoskin-Elliott (GWS) Guilty (early plea) Suspension (one match) 26.56
Josh Kennedy 16 Rough conduct Zak Jones (Sydney) Guilty (early plea) Suspension (one match) 82.81
Mark LeCras 18 Misconduct Ty Vickery (Richmond) Guilty (early plea) Fine ($900) 0
Luke Shuey 18 Misconduct Ty Vickery (Richmond) Guilty (early plea) Fine ($900) 0

Season records and milestones

Team records

  • Highest home attendance: 40,476 vs. Fremantle at Patersons Stadium, 4 May
  • Highest away attendance: 53,049 vs. Collingwood at the MCG, 24 May
  • Highest team score for: 30.8 (188) vs. GWS at Patersons Stadium, 11 May
  • Highest team score against: 19.9 (123) by Collingwood at the MCG, 24 May
  • Lowest team score for: 4.8 (32) vs. Geelong at Skilled Stadium, 12 April
  • Lowest team score against: 4.6 (30) by Melbourne at the MCG, 30 March
  • Great winning margin: 111 points vs. GWS at Patersons Stadium, 11 May
  • Greatest losing margin: 75 points vs. Geelong at Skilled Stadium, 12 April
  • Most consecutive wins: 3 (between rounds one and three)
  • Most consecutive losses: 4 (between rounds four and seven)

Source: AFL Tables, 11 August 2014

Player records

Club records
  • Most games: 19 – Jack Darling, Andrew Gaff, Eric Mackenzie, Matt Priddis
  • Most goals: 61.33 – Josh Kennedy
  • Most goals in a game: 11.0 – Josh Kennedy vs. GWS at Patersons Stadium, 11 May
  • Most disposals: 627 – Matt Priddis
  • Most kicks: 344 – Andrew Gaff
  • Most handballs: 366 – Matt Priddis
  • Most contested possessions: 330 - Matt Priddis
  • Most clearances: 147 – Matt Priddis
  • Most marks: 159 – Eric Mackenzie
  • Most contested marks: 30 – Jeremy McGovern
  • Most inside-50s: 88 – Luke Shuey
  • Most rebound-50s: 74 – Eric Mackenzie
  • Most tackles: 161 – Matt Priddis
  • Most hit-outs: 438 – Nic Naitanui

Source: AFL Tables, 31 August 2014

AFL season records
  • Matt Priddis led the AFL in disposals (627) and handballs (366). He was also ranked second for clearances (147) and contested possessions (330), and third for tackles (161). He recorded 18 tackles against Richmond in round 18, a season record.
  • Adam Carter was ranked second in the AFL for disposal efficiency (95%).
  • Eric Mackenzie was ranked equal third in the AFL for one-percenters (174), and fourth for marks (159).
  • Andrew Gaff was ranked fifth in the AFL for uncontested possessions (382).
  • Josh Kennedy was ranked fifth in the AFL for goals (61) and behinds (33). He kicked 11 goals against GWS in round 8, a season record.

Sources: AFL.com.au and AFL Tables, 31 August 2014

Milestones

  • Eric Mackenzie played his 100th AFL game in round one, against the Western Bulldogs.[35]
  • Josh Kennedy played his 100th game for West Coast in round two, against Melbourne. (Coincidentally, Sydney's Josh P. Kennedy also played his 100th game for his club in the same round).[36]
  • Dean Cox played his 276th AFL game in round three, against St Kilda, equalling Glen Jakovich's club record, and surpassed the mark the following round.[37] He played his 100th consecutive game in round seven, against Fremantle.[38]
  • Chris Masten played his 100th AFL game in round three.[39]
  • Brad Sheppard played his 50th AFL game in round six, against Carlton.[40]
  • Will Schofield played his 100th AFL game in round 12, against Hawthorn.[41]
  • Nic Naitanui played his 100th AFL game in round 14, against Gold Coast.[42]
  • Matt Rosa played his 150th AFL game in round 15, against Fremantle.[43]
  • Xavier Ellis played his 100th AFL game in round 17, against Brisbane.[44]

Debuts

Ladder

2014 AFL ladder
Pos Team
 Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts
1 Sydney 22 17 5 0 2126 1488 142.9 68 Finals series
2 Hawthorn (P) 22 17 5 0 2458 1746 140.8 68
3 Geelong 22 17 5 0 2033 1787 113.8 68
4 Fremantle 22 16 6 0 2029 1556 130.4 64
5 Port Adelaide 22 14 8 0 2180 1678 129.9 56
6 North Melbourne 22 14 8 0 2026 1731 117.0 56
7 Essendon 22 12 9 1 1828 1719 106.3 50
8 Richmond 22 12 10 0 1887 1784 105.8 48
9 West Coast 22 11 11 0 2045 1750 116.9 44
10 Adelaide 22 11 11 0 2175 1907 114.1 44
11 Collingwood 22 11 11 0 1766 1876 94.1 44
12 Gold Coast 22 10 12 0 1917 2045 93.7 40
13 Carlton 22 7 14 1 1891 2107 89.7 30
14 Western Bulldogs 22 7 15 0 1784 2177 81.9 28
15 Brisbane Lions 22 7 15 0 1532 2212 69.3 28
16 Greater Western Sydney 22 6 16 0 1780 2320 76.7 24
17 Melbourne 22 4 18 0 1336 1954 68.4 16
18 St Kilda 22 4 18 0 1480 2436 60.8 16
Source: AFL Tables
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers


Notes

b Carry-over points accrue following a sanction. For example, 123.45 points would draw a one-match suspension, with 23.45 carry-over points (for every 100 points, a one-match suspension is given).

References

  1. ^ "Darren Glass named West Coast Eagles captain for seventh season" – Herald Sun. Published 29 January 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  2. ^ Mark Duffield (2014). "Eagles stick with Glass as captain" – The West Australian. Published 29 January 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  3. ^ Gary Stocks (2014). "Glass takes the lead again" Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine – West Coast Eagles. Published 29 January 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ^ Braden Quartermaine and Chris Robinson (12 June 2014). "West Coast Eagles skipper Darren Glass retires from AFL" – PerthNow. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  5. ^ Alex Malcolm (13 June 2014). Up to five could rotate West Coast captaincy – Australian Football League. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  6. ^ Alex Malcolm (2013). "West Coast cuts Dalziell, Morton" – Australian Football League. Published 30 October 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  7. ^ Nick Bowen (14 November 2013). "West Coast delists Newman, but plans rookie list spot" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  8. ^ Alex Malcolm (1 September 2013). "Two more Eagles announce retirements" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  9. ^ — (28 August 2013). "Norm Smith medallist Embley pulls the pin" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  10. ^ Alex Malcolm (15 October 2013). "Kerr calls it quits" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  11. ^ Alex Malcolm (15 August 2013). "Selwood, Nicoski announce retirements" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  12. ^ James Dampney, Nathan Schmook, and Jennifer Phelan (16 October 2013). "New Eagle Ellis will retire if body fails again" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  13. ^ Gary Stocks (11 August 2014). "Eagles look to left field for new recruit" – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  14. ^ Alex Malcolm (5 September 2013). "Worsfold quits as Eagles coach" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  15. ^ — (30 September 2013). "Eagles coach search heats up as candidates interviewed" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  16. ^ Greg Denham (3 October 2013). "Adam Simpson gets the nod to coach West Coast Eagles" – The Australian. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  17. ^ Nathan Schmook (3 October 2013). "Woosha's heir: Clarkson understudy wins race for West Coast coaching gig" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  18. ^ "Burns quits Eagles for Collingwood" – The West Australian. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  19. ^ — (10 September 2013). "Teague joins Eagle exodus" – The Age. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  20. ^ Brad Elborough (18 October 2013). "Don Pyke returns to Eagles as assistant coach" – The Age. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  21. ^ Brad Elborough (14 October 2013). "Brady Rawlings named new assistant at West Coast" – The Age. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  22. ^ Brad Elborough (28 October 2013). "Adrian Hickmott completes West Coast Eagles' coaching panel" – The Age. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  23. ^ — (11 October 2013). "Graham returns to the nest" Archived 18 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  24. ^ Gary Stocks (20 2013). "Selwood sticking around" Archived 19 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  25. ^ Ross Lewis (4 November 2013). "Simpson lures Pratt to Eagles nest" – The West Australian. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  26. ^ Nathan Schmook (21 October 2013). "Magpies, Eagles trade picks to grab players" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  27. ^ Nathan Schmook (24 October 2013). "Yeo finally an Eagle as Lions add more picks" Archived 11 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Australian Football League. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  28. ^ Nathan Schmook and Mark Macgugan (25 October 2013). "Eagles improve draft position, Suns get set for the future" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  29. ^ Ben Roberts (21 November 2013). "Sheed heads list of new Eagles" – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  30. ^ Gary Stocks (27 November 2013). "Rookies complete 2014 squad" – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  31. ^ Bilton, Dean (12 February 2014). "AFL preseason tournament signals the start of footy season with new rules and new format". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  32. ^ "Eighteen games in 18 days". AFL.com.au. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  33. ^ Kim Hagdorn (2014). "West Coast Eagles smash arch-rivals Fremantle in NAB Challenge clash at Joondalup" – Perth Now. Published 18 February 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  34. ^ Tribunal 2014 – Footystats. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  35. ^ a b — (26 March 2014). "Big build-up for Dom's debut" – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  36. ^ — (29 March 2014). "Two Kennedys to bring up 100th game, no joshing" – Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  37. ^ Ben Roberts (3 April 2014). "Cox draws level" – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  38. ^ Glenn Valencich (4 May 2014). Matter of if, not when, for great Cox – Sports Fan. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  39. ^ Gary Stocks (4 April 2014). "Masten express hits a ton" – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  40. ^ a b Alex Malcolm (24 April 2014). "Eagle to debut after 'disappointing' first impression" – Australian Football League. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  41. ^ Jay Clark (7 June 2014). "West Coast defender Will Schofield won’t let a nightmare king-hit in 2013 define his future" – Herald Sun. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  42. ^ Justin Chadwick (9 June 2014). "Milestone man Nic Naitanui ready to fly" – The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  43. ^ Nick Duxson (30 June 2014). "Matt Rosa plays 150th game with West Coast Eagles" – The Wimmera Mail-Times. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  44. ^ Brad Elborough (11 July 2014). "Xavier Ellis lands 100th game at West Coast Eagles" – The Age. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  45. ^ Nick Rynne (3 April 2014). "Colledge set for Eagles graduation" – The West Australian. Retrieved 7 April 2014.