The Stocks Round 7: Fremantle and West Coast

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Josh Lindsay

Last year’s pick 19 continues to prove why he was held in such high regard walking into the club, collecting 31 disposals in another mature performance on a tough day for teammates. That tally places him in rare company, with Tom McCarthy and Tim Kelly (at Geelong) the only other current West Coast players to record 30+ disposals in their first AFL season. His composure and work rate are making him increasingly relevant in disposal-based markets and it’s still hard to believe he was omitted after his round one debut where he recorded 16 disposals. 

Corey Wagner

Continuity had often been the missing piece for Corey Wagner across his career, but that narrative is starting to shift if it hasn’t already. Wagner has now recorded 20+ disposals in three consecutive games, something he had never done previously across his 64-game AFL career across North Melbourne and Melbourne and now his 4-and-a-half-year stint at Fremantle. The wingman’s ability to link chains and provide repeat outside run has been quietly important for Fremantle, and this recent stretch suggests he’s settling into a role that allows his strengths to shine, outside of being a tagging option if needed. 

Luke Jackson

Luke Jackson’s statistical impact doesn’t always jump off the page, which makes this feat particularly telling. This match marked just the fifth time in his 126-game career that Jackson has recorded 20 disposals and kicked 2+ goals in the same outing. It’s a sign of how influential he can be when his midfield minutes translate directly to scoreboard pressure. The ‘unicorn’ has reinforced his value as one of the competition’s most dynamic big man and once again begs the question of the Dockers’ best ruck combination between him, Sean Darcy and Mason Cox. Could be a match-up that determines the result of Friday night’s fixture, with Tim English a potential to return for the Dogs. 

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West Coast’s Big Loss

From a historical standpoint, this was a brutal Sunday for the Eagles. It was West Coast’s biggest loss to St Kilda since 2004 and is a firm reminder of where the rebuild currently sits. Expect a hungry side on Saturday against the last-placed Tigers, where the Eagles’ last 100+ hiding against them occurred in 2022. For punters, team-based markets involving West Coast remain high-risk until defensive stability returns through the likes of Harry Edwards and Brandon Starcevich.

Liam Baker