Latest news with #WestCoastEagles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eagles to farewell premiership heroes in Crows clash
West Coast have announced their plan to honour recently retired premiership heroes Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern as the Eagles hope to give the pair a 'rousing blue and gold send off.' Eagles fans will get a final chance to see the pair on the Optus Stadium turf, with the CEO Don Pyke announcing they will be thanked for the service in next round's home game against Adelaide. McGovern was forced into medical retirement following repeat concussions on June 20, with Sheed retiring less than two weeks later after an ACL injury suffered in the pre-season. Pyke admits it will be a 'bittersweet' farewell. 'Before the season draws to a close, we will recognise two of our retiring premiership greats – Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed,' he said in an open letter to fans. 'It is always bittersweet to farewell such wonderful people and players, and both Jeremy and Dom should be incredibly proud of the significant contributions they have made to our Club. 'Both are Life Members of our Club, and they will forever be inextricably linked as the bookends of that famous match-winning passage of play in the 2018 Grand Final. The West Coast Eagles win the AFL Grand Final: Dom Sheed, Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass & Chris Masten. Michael Wilson, The West Australian. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian 'We will honour them at our next home game at Optus Stadium against Adelaide on Sunday, August 10 to thank them and give them a rousing blue and gold send-off.' Adelaide has become a regular opponent for the Eagles to honour retiring greats with Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Nic Naitanui all being acknowledged during their round 23 clash against the Crows in 2023. The season prior, Josh Kennedy played his final game, kicking eight goals against them in a memorable send-off. It comes as Pyke thanked Eagles fans for their staunch support during what has been another tough season with the club passing 100,000 members for the sixth consecutive year. 'The loyalty of so many West Coast Eagles families is something truly special and deserves to be celebrated,' he said. 'I want to sincerely thank you for your passion and commitment. These past few seasons have tested us all, but through every challenge, you've kept showing up. 'We know we have a lot of work to do to lift ourselves back up the ladder, but we believe in the path we are on and appreciate your support.'
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Harley Reid's management table ‘biggest deal in AFL history' to Eagles
Harley Reid could be set to put pen to paper on the 'biggest deal in AFL history' with the West Coast Eagles. As Victorian clubs continue to circle the 20-year-old in the hopes of luring him back home, it now appears his future looks likely to remain in Perth. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. On Sunday it was revealed the young star's management had approached the Eagles to discuss potential contract extensions beyond 2026 when his rookie contract expires. AFL Media reporter Cal Twomey detailed further information behind the offers tabled with one set to rewrite the record books. 'It's hitting crunch time in the contract decision of Harley Reid at the West Coast Eagles,' Twomey told Footy Classified. 'He's had contract offers in front of him since April that have come from the Eagles. But in recent weeks, his management have sent counter offers to the Eagles – and a part of that we can detail tonight include a mammoth offer that would be a two-year extension, plus an extension on top of that of another nine years. So an 11-year arrangement. 'This is groundbreaking, really, in terms of what it would mean for West Coast Eagles and Harley Reid as one of the options. We've seen this in recent times with the contract of Miles Bergman, who signed a two-year deal and then has an understanding with Port Adelaide that he can sign an extra seven years beyond that. So it's not unprecedented. 'But it would be the biggest deal in AFL history by some way and it would take him through to the end of 2037 – which is remarkable to think about – if he was to pursue that all the way through. 'This is enormous in terms of the $20 million-plus that would be on the table.' The staggering potential contract quickly whipped around AFL circles with fans divided on the deal. Lachy Steele wrote on X: 'Absolute insanity. Besides last weekend he hasn't shown he's worth anywhere near that.' ESPN's Jasper Chellappah wrote: 'Think this is really fair from Harley's camp. Commits to the club short term, gives West Coast three years to improve and if they're still a rabble he goes home.' Twomey stated the contract negotiations haven't moved a great deal, leaving the door open for Victorian teams to continue to try and poach him. 'The Eagles are still weighing this up and going through their own negotiation process – and clubs are continuing to hunt him in Victoria,' he said. 'I think Hawthorn are near-on obsessed with Harley Reid in getting him to the club. They want him badly, are willing to go to eight to 10 years at $1.7 million, $1.8 million to get him across the line.' Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson noted that Reid's camp were not interested in joining a rebuilding club if he were to ultimately return home. 'The player and his family have made it clear they do not want to go to a struggling club,' Wilson told Agenda Setters. 'They've got no interest in St Kilda, they've got no interest in Melbourne. I'm not sure if they've got much interest in Essendon at the moment, but Essendon have no interest in that sort of money. 'They (the Bombers) think that Hawthorn is right in there – and Hawthorn say there have been no meaningful talks – others say that Richmond and Melbourne are having a crack. 'I think West Coast also said to the management 'we're not interested in that sort of money' … but what has happened in the last 24 hours is that I think West Coast have come back to the table – and we're talking significantly more than $1.5 million a year.' Kane Cornes questioned if the absurd figures being thrown around would be the right way to go for the young star still trying to find his feet in the game. 'No criticism to him but are West Coast, with the issues they've had with the behaviour of their biggest stars over the journey — is that setting him up in the best possible way to be the best player he can be?' Cornes asked. 'This is what he's going to get every week. 'He gets 20 in the first half (against Richmond), he's on track for career-best numbers and they go 'OK we've had enough of this, we're just going to put a tagger on him'. 'If you play West Coast you are stupid if you don't tag Harley Reid, which is so unfair for him in his second year to cop that. 'It is going to get very, very boring for him playing in that side when he cops that treatment and loses every week.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Footy star reveals the simple diet change he used to beat horrible disease that is ruining the lives of tens of thousands of Aussies
Jake Waterman enjoyed one of his best seasons in a gold and blue guernsey in 2024. The 27-year-old was the West Coast's leading goal kicker, booting 53 goals for the year, which is a career high for the key forward. But rewind the tape back, and things were very different for Waterman, who had been unknowingly suffering from a horrible illness that over 180,000 people in Australia currently suffer from. He admitted he'd wake up in the morning suffering from severe pain in his abdomen and struggled to play footy. Prior to a game in 2023, the Eagles star had been feeling nauseous, had severe stomach cramps and was suffering from diarrhoea. 'I had to fly home and get myself into a hospital because I couldn't do anything, I was too ill,' Waterman told The Daily Telegraph. Waterman (right) was diagnosed with the illness back in 2023 after spending several weeks in hospital The footy star was subsequently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), after spending several weeks in hospital. UC is a bowel disorder that can cause inflammation and ulceration in a person's large intestine. Inflammatory bowel disease affects the inner lining of the large intestine and is a lifelong condition. The inflammation can cause redness, swelling and pain, while ulcers can also develop on the surface of the intestines. Other symptoms can include fatigue, diarrhoea and a loss of appetite. The cause of the illness is unknown, and while there is no known cure, it can be treated using medication, dietary changes and surgery. Spending several weeks in hospital felt like a 'blur' for the footy star, who revealed that he felt like he was stuck in a vicious cycle and didn't have 'much hope.' 'I woke up every day in pain, stuck on the couch trying to sleep again,' he explained. The illness sent him into a downward spiral, with Waterman explaining: 'I was down in the dumps, feeling horrible.' 'I just wanted to feel normal again.' Waterman played only 11 games during the 2023 season, a far cry from the 20 he featured in the previous year. But the resilient footballer was not going to let the illness get to him. He made some big changes to his diet and lifestyle, removing processed foods from his diet. He has begun to focus more on his nutrition in a bid to improve his gut health. The 27-year-old admitted that, even though he is an elite athlete, he had not been much of an expert in nutrition prior to being diagnosed. Now, Waterman is staying focused on refuelling with the right foods; a vital step in helping him perform at his best and manage the illness. And it sure has worked. Amid the tribulations of 2023, Waterman bounced back from a horrible period to enjoy an excellent 2024, earning himself his first All-Australian blazer. Waterman is also an ambassador for Chron's and Colitis Australia, and is helping to raise awareness of the illness. 'I feel like I've got an obligation to speak up and shine a light on these conditions,' he said. Agonisingly, Waterman has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season after he dislocated his shoulder during the Eagles' Round 11 defeat by Adelaide. During his time away from the pitch, the 27-year-old has been using his time to speak to others who have the condition. 'I recently went to a Crohn's and colitis day, and I was able to speak to some young kids and parents about their struggles and hardships,' Waterman explained. 'My situation doesn't hold a candle to what they're going through… my heart breaks for them.' After his successful 2024 campaign, Waterman re-signed with the Eagles until 2029. It was a just reward for the work he did to help lift the West Coast, who have been battling their way through a torrid few seasons. And now, after Jack Darling's departure from the Mineral Resources Park, Waterman has stepped up to fill the void, while turning down offers from Geelong and Melbourne to lure the Western Australia-born star to Victoria. 'Now it's finally done, it's reality now, and I'm just happy that I'm locked away here for the next five years,' he said.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ben Cousins weighs in on Harley Reid's future amid $20m call
Ben Cousins says he can't see why Harley Reid would leave West Coast amid constant speculation about the 20-year-old's AFL future. Reid has played his best football in the past month for the Eagles and was their best player in a 49-point loss to Richmond on the weekend, racking up 27 disposals and two goals. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. The midfielder has long been linked with a move back to Victoria once his rookie contract expires, but reports emerged over the weekend that his camp was discussing a contract extension at West Coast worth up to $20 million. Eagles legend Cousins said on Monday he is hopeful Reid will remain at the Eagles for the long term. 'I don't see any reason why he won't (stay),' Cousins told Mix 94.5. 'I haven't seen anything to suggest why he would leave. He's got so much footy ahead of him that if he puts his head down and makes the most of wherever he is, hopefully West Coast, then there is a lot to look forward to in the future. 'I think regardless of where Harley ends up, if he just focuses on playing good footy, the financial side of things, he's not going to have to worry about. 'He's going to get very well paid.' Reid wears the No. 9 guernsey previously donned by Cousins, the 2005 Brownlow Medallist and 2006 premiership player, and All Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui. Journalist Ryan Daniels reported on Triple M a number of options had been presented to the club about what a new deal could look like for Reid. One contract stipulation is reportedly a 'long-term commitment', news that would be music to the ears of the fan base. 'There's been a bit of a twist in this one because nothing has happened for quite a while and I can tell you the latest with this one is a bit of a strange one because my understanding is Harley's management have put some options to the West Coast Eagles to stay,' Daniels said on Triple M. 'One of them in particular is a very long deal, I don't know the specific number of years but it was described to me as very long as I think you could imagine would be nine or 10-year range. 'It would have to be between 15 and 20 million, and I would say we're heading closer to the 20 million … if you're talking 10 years into the future (salaries will go up in that time). 'I found this fascinating, the West Coast Eagles have had these presented to them weeks ago, and they haven't necessarily done anything with it just yet. 'I just found it fascinating that instead of the Eagles putting the offer on the table to consider all these options … we've now had a conversation 'well what about this?' 'And it's got a potential for Harley to have a look at a very long-term deal that will keep him at the West Coast Eagles and clearly there is some interest from Harley's side. 'That is a pretty significant update on that situation and I know there is going to be a meeting in the next few days between West Coast and Harley's management to discuss the specifics.' West Coast fans were left frustrated by the heavy loss at home to fellow rebuilding side Richmond, with the Tigers notching up their fifth win of the season. 'West Coast supporters have been, by and large, unbelievable over a really tough period the last few years,' Cousins said. 'I think they still turn up in numbers, they've been very good. 'I think (the loss to the Tigers) may have hit players and supporters harder because it was the first game this year the Eagles went in as favourites, and both sides would have said it was a very winnable game. 'So maybe the expectation was a little higher … and they just fell short. They can and will do better.' Eagles coach Andrew McQualter, speaking after the club's loss to Richmond, conceded too much was being asked of Reid, at a time where his future remains unclear after next year. 'We're aware we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield,' McQualter said. 'It's not an easy position for him. 'I thought Harley was by far our best player … I love the way he went about it. 'I loved his team first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates. 'As a team, we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. There's no AFL team ever that relies on one player to be good. 'He's absolutely in (at West Coast) – he is a competitor. He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Harley Reid's contract demand revealed as rumours swirl
Harley Reid's future may remain in the West after his management approached the Eagles to discuss potential contract extensions beyond 2026. The 20-year-old has been linked with a move back to Victoria once his rookie contract expires, but new details on his future have emerged. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Journalist Ryan Daniels reported on Triple M a number of options had been presented to the club about what a new deal could look like. One contract stipulation is reportedly a 'long-term commitment', news that would be music to the ears of the fan base. 'There's been a bit of a twist in this one because nothing has happened for quite a while and I can tell you the latest with this one is a bit of a strange one because my understanding is Harley's management have put some options to the West Coast Eagles to stay,' Daniels said on Triple M. 'One of them in particular is a very long deal, I don't know the specific number of years but it was described to me as very long as I think you could imagine would be nine or 10-year range. 'It would have to be between 15 and 20 million, and I would say we're heading closer to the 20 million … if you're talking 10 years into the future (salaries will go up in that time). 'I found this fascinating, the West Coast Eagles have had these presented to them weeks ago, and they haven't necessarily done anything with it just yet. 'I just found it fascinating that instead of the Eagles putting the offer on the table to consider all these options … we've now had a conversation 'well what about this?' 'And it's got a potential for Harley to have a look at a very long-term deal that will keep him at the West Coast Eagles and clearly there is some interest from Harley's side. 'That is a pretty significant update on that situation and I know there is going to be a meeting in the next few days between West Coast and Harley's management to discuss the specifics.' Eagles coach Andrew McQualter, speaking after the club's loss to Richmond, conceded too much was being asked of Reid, at a time where his future remains unclear after next year. 'We're aware we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield,' McQualter said. 'It's not an easy position for him. 'I thought Harley was by far our best player … I love the way he went about it. 'I loved his team first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates. 'As a team, we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. There's no AFL team ever that relies on one player to be good. 'He's absolutely in (at West Coast) – he is a competitor. He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position.'
