2017 record: 12-10

Position: 6th (after finals)

Grade: C+.

West Coast falling into the finals, then pinching an amazing last gasp win over Port Adelaide in the first week of the finals has glossed over a lot of issues that plagued the club throughout the season.

The mantra of "too slow" has been chanted about the Eagles in 2017 for a good reason. And it was never more evident against the Giants on Saturday night when West Coast lacked run from the moment the ball was bounced.

It's time the Eagles admitted recruiting one-time Sydney speedster Lewis Jetta was an abject failure.

Has Lewis Jetta run his race at West Coast? Photo: AAP

The catch cry of "if only Nic Naitanui was playing" will be redundant if he's not palming the ball down to elite midfielders in 2018.

The history books will show the Eagles played finals footy in 2017, but unless a number of untried youngsters step up next year and West Coast recruit an elite midfielder or two, then they could plummet down the ladder very fast.

From the sidelines

It was bloody frustrating being an Eagles fan in 2017.

West Coast headed into three-quarter time with a lead on at least six separate occasions but got run over way too easily. Poor conditioning? Ageing list? Roll out as many excuses as you like, but footy tragics hate nothing more than a team being labelled soft after coughing up a lead. As a fan you never felt the Eagles were totally in control in the tight contests.

The lack of kids blooded by the Eagles was also a major worry, given up to 12 players could be given their marching orders this month. I would like to say 'I'm excited about so and so', but I haven't seen him play.

Adam Simpson's lack of urgency in the box and unimaginative coaching when the game was going against West Coast is a major concern. He is safe for now after pinching a final, but if the Eagles are languishing at the bottom of the ladder in 2018, then his future could be in doubt.

Adam Simpson's coaching has been a concern. Photo: West Coast Eagles

Jeremy McGovern's intercept marking was a delight to watch. The bloke doesn't come across as a Rhodes Scholar but who cares if he keeps doing what he does. Luke Shuey's shocking hair cut against GWS was a low point. What the heck was he thinking?

Success stories

Hmmm. Nathan Vardy actually finishing a season given he has had every football injury possible. Vardy played 22 games in 2017 compared with 25 in seven seasons prior with Geelong and, along with veteran Drew Petrie, provided West Coast with competitive ruck options.

Nathan Vardy has enjoyed his best season ever. Photo: AAP

The Eagles not playing at Domain Stadium anymore. Can't wait for the place to be bulldozed.

Sam Mitchell becoming a "coach" during the year. His football brain will inject some fresh ideas into the box.

Beating the hapless Dockers twice. Never ceases to amaze me how much I enjoy the Eagles flogging Fremantle.

Underperformers

Wow, take your pick. Lewis Jetta, Chris Masten, Sharrod Wellingham, Josh Hill, Mark LeCras and Simpson's coaching. LeCras should not be offered a new deal.

Is Mark LeCras' Eagles career about to come crashing to an end? Photo: AAP

Squad breakdown

Untouchables: Jeremy McGovern, Elliot Yeo, Nic Naitanui, Andrew Gaff (possible trade bait) Shannon Hurn, Josh Kennedy and Luke Shuey.

Keepers: Nathan Vardy, Scott Lycett (has trade value), Willie Rioli, Dom Sheed, Tom Barrass, Liam Duggan, Brad Sheppard, Jamie Cripps, Eric Mackenzie, Jack Redden, Daniel Venables, Jackson Nelson and Jake Waterman.

Should the Eagles trade Andrew Gaff? Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

Trade bait:

• Jack Darling - I bleat on about this all the time but at least the Eagles might get something decent for him in return. He underperforms in finals and will never replace Josh Kennedy as the main key forward when he retires.
• Andrew Gaff - The 25-year-old might be at the peak of his powers but if West Coast want to get a blue chip, speedy midfielder, the club needs to offer up an A-grade player.
• Scott Lycett - Why not? Vardy has probably gone past him as the Eagles' number two ruckman and is also probably a better option to work alongside a fit Naitanui. Lycett is still only 24 and still has good trade value.
• Tom Lamb - There's reportedly been some interest in the youngster from Victorian clubs and if so West Coast should ship him off as he's just rotting at East Perth.
• Chris Masten - Unfortunately no one seems to be keen on Masten but if a suitor appears the Eagles should jump at the chance to offload him.

Delist candidates: Mark LeCras (if he doesn't opt to retire), Sharrod Wellingham, Jon Giles, Lewis Jetta, Josh Hill, Jordan Snadden, Tarir Bayok, Tom Gorter and Josh Rotham.

Retirees: Sam Mitchell, Drew Petrie, Sam Butler, Matt Priddis and Paddy Brophy

Others: Matthew Allen, Tom Cole, Mark Hutchings, Malcolm Karpany, Fraser McInnes, Kurt Mutimer, Luke Partington, Will Schofield, Simon Tunbridge, Francis Watson.

Trade/draft needs

It's no secret the Eagles need a speedy midfielder. The only problem is there isn't that many likely to want to come to West Coast even if they are "available". That's where trading either Darling or Gaff could be critical for West Coast, even if it means getting a higher draft pick.

West Coast also needs a decent crumbing forward. The club may have one in Willie Rioli but he is injury-prone and is yet to play at the top level.

The Eagles have Alex Fasolo in their sights. Photo: AAP

The Eagles should target Brandon Matera from the Suns, but all the reports suggest he is heading to Fremantle. If Alex Fasolo wants out of the Pies, the Eagles should throw the chequebook at him.

Dream Trade

Trade Darling and Gaff to the highest bidder then work some magic to get either Patrick Cripps from Carlton or GWS young gun Stephen Coniglio. It's highly unlikely to happen, so trade Gaff for a top 10 draft pick and target a young, speedy goal-kicking midfielder.

The recruitment of Stephen Coniglio would be a dream scenario. Photo: AAP

There are rumours the Swans aren't happy with Luke Parker after he dished up another poor finals performance, so if there is any hint of the ball magnet wanting out of Sydney, West Coast should be ready to offer him anything he wants.

West Coast should also try and pinch GWS rebounding defender Nathan Wilson from under Fremantle's nose. If we are talking 'dream trades' offer disgruntle Suns' superstar Gary Ablett a house in Cottesloe, the Eagles captaincy and name the new Perth Stadium after him.

Realistic trade

The Eagles don't have a habit of landing a big fish during trade week. It's likely the Eagles will get some washed up ex-West Aussie who wants to head back to Perth to start an organic strawberry farm.

But with a dozen or so Eagles' players to be shown the door at the end of the season, if West Coast don't go hard at the trading table then the club is in trouble given its current list. West Coast need to brave and bold at the trading table and why not go after Coniglio or Fasolo?