Warner Watch

Most West Coast fans won’t want Fremantle to become Flagmantle for obvious reasons.

To see the “little brother” of WA football have some success would cut deep, but it’s like adding salt to the wound right now because the Eagles are struggling to win a game.

There is another reason those devoted to the blue and gold won’t want to see the Purple reign supreme and it has to do with the future of Chad Warner.

Warner is out of contract at the end of next year and no matter what he does, there is always going to be speculation that the Sydney superstar could return to WA.

And for the Eagles, the sooner the better. Warner would add the pace and x-factor they simply do not have on their list.

Imagine a midfield in 2028 with Warner, Harley Reid and Willem Duursma. It looks pretty good for West Coast.

But what could hold Warner from heading home to Perth is unfinished business in the Harbour city with the Swans.

It is well known that the midfielder is close with Sydney coach Dean Cox, with the pair holding a special relationship.

Therefore, the 24-year-old is more likely to be inclined to ask for a move back to the Eagles should he be part of a premiership for Cox and Sydney.

Warner has played in two losing grand finals for Sydney in 2022 and 2024 where he was among their best in defeats to Geelong and Brisbane.

Right now, Sydney alongside the Dockers and Lions are the leading contenders to go all the way in 2026.

They are built for a flag. They’ve recruited Charlie Curnow from Carlton, have Isaac Heeney in career-best form that has him as a Brownlow Medal chance and likely an All-Australian in Brodie Grundy.

Should he finally get his hands on a premiership medallion in the red and white, he will surely be more comfortable in leaving to take up a monster offer at West Coast where he can be a part of their climb up the ladder.

West Coast need to land some big fishes soon and Warner is the biggest in the pond for them next year.

A Fremantle premiership in 2026 could well have a big say in all this yet.

Fyfe 2.0?

Fremantle already have one of the best midfields in the AFL, but it could get better should they get their hands on Next Generation Academy product Lucas Robinson.

I’ve taken a keen interest in the teenager’s development this season after hearing good things out of South Fremantle.

And on every single occasion that I’ve watched the midfielder play I’ve been left with no doubt that he has a big future in the big league.

Robinson is a big-bodied midfielder isn’t the quickest going around but if you concentrate on what he can’t do, you miss what he can do and that is plenty.

For an 18-year-old he is strong, so much so that he can stand up in tackles and he keeps his composure, often finding the right option in traffic.

Robinson has good skills, can take a strong mark overhead and isn’t afraid to be at the bottom of the pack.

Watching him tackle a big AFL player like Harry Schoenberg on Saturday with ease as well as match it with several other Eagles-listed players in the contest was impressive.

Put simply, the Dockers must ensure they get their hands on this young man because he can add so much to their team for the future.

The best clubs in the AFL are able to not only recruit for the now but also for the future and the Dockers have been great on both of these fronts in the past few years.

Robinson is also from the Lake Grace area, the same area as one of their greatest ever in dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe.

And the Dockers are yet to find give someone the No.7 jumper since the former skipper retired last year.

Fremantle should match any bid on Robinson at this year’s draft and on the night have Fyfe pass on his legacy.

If clubs want to ensure their academies are strong like that of Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney, then they must take the talented kids that come out of them.

And Robinson is as talented as they come.

Pray On The Kennell

If the Western Bulldogs land restricted free agent Zak Butters on a big money deal, then clubs including West Coast should try to raid as much of their talent as they can.

The predicted price to land Butters is incredible and is surely going to force a salary cap crunch, with so much top end talent in their squad already.

How can the Bulldogs keep Marcus Bontempelli, Sam Darcy, Aaron Naughton, Tim English, Bailey Dale, Joel Freijah and Ed Richards while also bringing in Butters?

It is surely going to be impossible and if you’re a rival team you can pounce.

Most other clubs could surely offer a bit more money to several of their other names who might not be as well paid.

West Coast should certainly ask the question of West Australian Jedd Busslinger. And maybe even Richards to see what he is being paid there and whether they can add another zero to the contract.

Matt Kennedy is one of their most under-rated players, but surely when Butters comes in, he will be squeezed out of the midfield.

Could a Collingwood or Hawthorn look at the 29-year-old to see if he wanted to come to a fourth club?

Butters will undoubtedly make Luke Beveridge’s side better and like many, I am excited at the prospect of watching Butters and the Bont teaming up on the AFL stage.

It looked pretty good when they played for the Big V earlier this year, but on a weekly basis when they have their chemistry right, it could be incredible.

However, the AFL is a ruthless business, and other clubs should make the Dogs pay for going big on a star recruit.

Leave Pendles Alone

When did we become so precious as an industry?

The criticism around the celebrations for Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury is out of line. His AFL record breaking game in less than a fortnight should get us excited not divided.

If he wants to wear a gold number, good. If the Magpies want it to be against West Coast at the MCG in front of 100,000 people – great. So, it should be.

At its core, the AFL is an entertainment business and Pendlebury reaching 433 games is going to be a magnificent spectacle.

No one thought anyone would break Brent Harvey’s record all those years ago but here we are, now ready to watch one of the game’s great ambassadors take his place in the history books.

Pendlebury is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer who deserves to have his moment in the sun.

Let’s all just take a deep breath and allow this achievement to be celebrated.

Of course, this is all ok as long as Collingwood win. Imagine if the Eagles spoilt the party in what would be the upset of the year.

Well, now wouldn’t that be entertaining?