West Coast Fan TV

West Coast backman Rhett Bazzo garnering attention from rivals as 17 Eagles remain unsigned beyond 2026

Mitchell Woodcock The West Australian

Fri, 19 June 2026 3:00PM

East coast clubs have shown interest in out-of-contract West Coast defender Rhett Bazzo after his run of games in the Eagles backline.

The 22-year-old defender, who has played 33 games across five seasons, remains without a deal despite West Coast’s lack of depth in key defenders.

Bazzo has put together a promising five-game stint since returning to the AFL side in round 10 and looms as a pivotal player in not only the back half of the season but beyond this year because of the uncertain future of Harry Edwards.

The Eagles’ lack of tall defenders on their list has been exposed with injuries to Edwards (concussion) and Reuben Ginbey (quad) in the wake of club great Jeremy McGovern’s premature retirement last year.

It has opened the door for Bazzo to take more of a leading role and he has risen to the occasion since he earned a recall in the win against Greater Western Sydney.

Before the bye, Bazzo had a game-high nine intercept possessions in the one-point defeat to North Melbourne at Optus Stadium as one of only two key backs alongside recruit Tylar Young.

The Eagles remain hopeful Edwards would play again this season despite three concussions in 71 days earlier this year, but the 25-year-old backman is set to meet with AFL medical experts before a return is ticked off.

Ginbey – who was in All-Australian form before he tore his quad in the round 13 defeat to Port Adelaide – could yet play a few games towards the end of the season after he avoided surgery.

Bazzo is one of 17 Eagles who are still without a contract for next year as another hefty list cull looms for the rising side.

West Coast have an extraordinary 51 players on their list after they added Oliver Francou and Marcus Herbert in the mid-season rookie draft last month.

They will need to cut at least three players to meet their maximum of 48 – which is more than most clubs after they were granted an extra four rookie spots until 2028 by the AFL as part of list concessions last year – before they can even begin to work out how many they will add through the drafts, free agency and trade.

First-round draftee Elijah Hewett looms as the most intriguing of the group, with the midfielder widely reported to have had a multi-year deal on the table for some time.

Hewett returned to the Eagles side for the loss to the Kangaroos after a four-game stint in the WAFL but is no certainty to hold his spot when they return from the break to take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium next weekend.

No.1 draftee Willem Duursma is almost certain to be recalled after he missed West Coast’s last game with a calf ni**le, while big-bodied midfielder Jack Graham is set to be available after he recovered from shoulder surgery which has kept him sidelined since Gather Round.

It could squeeze Hewett out of the midfield and potentially back to the WAFL, with coach Andrew McQualter reluctant to play the 22-year-old as a forward where he struggled for impact in four matches earlier this season.

Herbert could also find himself on the wrong end of a selection squeeze as well, despite an impressive debut only weeks after earning a spot on the list.

The 23-year-old racked up 15 touches against the Kangaroos and showed great composure out of defence, but the return of last year’s top mid-season draftee Tom McCarthy, from a hamstring setback could see him back in the reserves.

Herbert took a risk when he nominated for only a six-month contract leading into the mid-season draft.

And while the Geelong VFL product has settled well in Perth, The West Australian understands his management will wait until he gets more games under his belt before opening dialogue around a deal for 2027.

West Coast will also have to lock away their two top ruckmen in Bailey Williams and Matt Flynn who are also without deals beyond this year.

Williams is a restricted free agent but has made it clear he wants to stay at the Eagles, and he’s been in career-best form since he returned from a groin injury in round five to take the No.1 mantle.

Flynn has not been able to break back into partner Williams since he was dropped after the round four thumping at the hands of Sydney, despite good form in the WAFL where he averages 17 touches and 38 hit-outs.

Premiership forward Jamie Cripps’ future remains unclear after a knee injury sustained playing in the WAFL early last month.

Cripps signed a one-year contract last year but is still listed as “TBC” on the Eagles’ injury list despite more than a month on the sidelines.

The club was clearly hopeful he would play again because they did not put him on the inactive list, which would’ve opened a third list spot ahead of the mid-season rookie draft.

Fellow injured forward Noah Long is also without a deal after his season was ended in the pre-season when he ruptured his ACL, while veteran defender Tom Cole could earn another short-term contract after he re-invented himself as a forward in recent weeks.

Clay Hall, Tyler Brockman, Fred Rodriguez, Malakai Champion, Harry Barnett, Harry Schoenberg, Harvey Johnston, Jake Miles-Wrency and Jack Williams also remain uncontracted beyond 2026.

It comes after pre-season sensation Milan Murdock and utility Ryan Maric re-signed for a further two seasons earlier this week, tying them to the club until the end of 2028.

WEST COAST PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT

Elijah Hewett, Tyler Brockman, Noah Long, Jamie Cripps, Harvey Johnston, Matt Flynn, Tom Cole, Clay Hall, Harry Barnett, Bailey Williams, Rhett Bazzo, Jack Williams, Malakai Champion, Fred Rodriguez, Jacob Newton, Harry Schoenberg, Jake Miles-Wrency, Marcus Herbert.

If you haven’t read it please do.

Only here.

TC. “MY SON HAS MADE OUR FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE WEST COAST EAGLES COMMUNITY PROUD”: Harley Reid’s Mother Delivers Emotional Speech That Leaves AFL Fans in Tears PERTH, AUSTRALIA — There was hardly a dry eye in the room as the mother…

Before you lose your fuc🦅ing mind, and go off like a headless chook remember this is a rumour

West Coast Eagles defender Tom McCarthy reveals injury timeline as he targets speedy return

Jake Santa Maria The West Australian

Thu, 18 June 2026 10:01AM

West Coast star Tom McCarthy is confident he will be fit in time to face Carlton in a positive update on his hamstring injury.

The breakout mid-season recruit missed his first game since making his debut in round 14 of last year after being withdrawn on the eve of the Eagles’ heartbreaking one-point loss to North Melbourne.

With the club having the bye this week, the 25-year-old is trying to maximise his recovery to ensure his absence from the AFL is not a lengthy one.

“It’s the first footy game I’ve missed in ages,” he told 6PR.

“I was going to go down to Dunsborough but I’ve just spent the week in Perth rehabbing. I just want to get it right for next week if I get up to play.

“I’m gonna push for Carlton as far as I can, and I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve just got to tick off the training this week, and then I’ll play, so fingers crossed I should get through.”

McCarthy’s absence was sorely felt, having consistently been one of the best Eagles across half-back this season, in a backline already without key defender Reuben Ginbey.

The Eagles’ defensive stocks have been ravaged by injuries this year with Brandon Stracevich only making his debut in round 13 after a calf injury, while Harry Edwards’ future is clouded as he prepares to meet with the AFL concussion panel.

McCarthy’s injury saw mid-season recruit Marcus Herbert make his debut just two weeks after being pulled out of Geelong’s VFL side, while No.1 pick Willem Duursma was also missing and lost Hamsih Davis during the match with a concussion.

However, he said the Eagles were not going to use injury as an excuse for their loss as they lamented not being able to capitalise on their effort.

“Mini (coach Andrew McQualter) was quite upset with how the game finished, knowing we dominated the last quarter,” he said.

“We should be happy with how we’re playing but not happy with the outcomes.”

The defeat followed a six-point loss to Port Adelaide the week prior, victories that could have kept them in the hunt for an unlikely wildcard spot.

While the results over the past fortnight have not fallen West Coast’s way, McCarthy takes plenty of heart from the Eagles’ competitiveness, saying their greater depth is beginning to lift the tides at the club.

Across the AFL and WAFL last year, the Eagles recorded just three wins to claim wooden spoons in both competitions.

However, they have claimed five wins at the reserves level this season and remain an outside chance for finals after taking down Swan Districts.

“We’ve got a lot more depth now this year, and obviously, having a bigger list is helpful, I think we’ve had 19 listed players in the WAFL” he said.

“It means there’s a fight for spots, which is huge for us.”

Is something wrong with me? I can’t watch the Dockers game because I know they will win and they SH🦅T me 🤔🤔

Yes, the Eagles have won more games (four) and have a better percentage (72.7%) compared to this time last year. But it’s all about the way they’ve been playing.

One player who mirrors West Coast's season: Bailey Williams.

And there was a particular loss that felt like a "toes up" moment - one where some really hard truths were laid out behind closed doors after the game 👀💥

WILL SCHOFIELD COLUMN ➡️ bit.ly/4uzp6Hd

Boys out.

"CHEAP AS CHIPS" EAGLES RECRUIT 🔵🦅🟡

The West Coast Eagles are being urged to snap up “a total win-win” veteran signing for next season.

He's a hard-head player who'd have been "very, very handy" in that loss to the Roos, and "effectively a free coach".

DETAILS + AFL'S TOP TARGETS ➡️ bit.ly/4eaFauc

Like a boss