The Struggles and Hopes of North Melbourne and West Coast
North Melbourne and West Coast, two of the most challenging teams of the decade, are set to face off in a crucial AFL match in Perth on Sunday. Both teams are looking to showcase their emerging talents and prove that a brighter future is on the horizon.
West Coast, known for having the youngest and most inexperienced squad in the league, is considered a strong favorite to secure their second consecutive wooden spoon. Their record since the start of 2020 has been particularly grim, with finishes of 17th, last, last, 17th, 17th, and most recently 16th. However, their opening game of the 2026 season saw a 59-point loss to Gold Coast, highlighting the challenges they still face.
North Melbourne’s performance over the same period has also been disappointing, with finishes of 17th, last, last, 17th, 17th, and 16th. Despite this, their 46-point victory over Port Adelaide in round one has sparked hope that the rebuilding team might finally be turning a corner.
Still, fans are cautious about getting too excited. Last season, North Melbourne had a promising win against Melbourne by 59 points, which was initially seen as a turning point for the club. Unfortunately, this optimism was quickly dashed as the Kangaroos lost their next six games, including an 82-point defeat to Carlton, resulting in a disappointing five-win season.
If North Melbourne can defeat West Coast and go 2-0, it could set them up for a surprising early-season surge, especially with upcoming matches against Essendon, Carlton, and Richmond over the next month.
West Coast’s Path Forward
West Coast is focused on improving upon last year’s one-win campaign. While their first half against Gold Coast was a disaster, there were signs of promise in the second half. The Eagles introduced four debutants in that game and had nine players with 10 games or less experience.
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter acknowledges the challenge of balancing the team’s need for experience with the development of young players. “It’s a difficult balancing act ensuring the side I pick each week isn’t too inexperienced to avoid throwing young players ‘to the wolves’,” he said.
This week, West Coast welcomes back key players Harry Edwards (concussion), Liam Baker (suspension), and Tim Kelly, marking a significant boost in experience. However, three of last week’s debutants—Cooper Duff-Tytler, Willem Duursma, and Milan Murdock—will return, along with several other inexperienced players such as Bo Allan, Hamish Davis, Jacob Newton, Jobe Shanahan, and Archer Reid.
McQualter expressed his excitement about the opportunity for fans to see these young players in action. “They’re young, highly talented players, and you’re going to see moments from them where you’re going to be blown away. They can do some things at a high level on the football field.”
Duursma, the No.1 pick from last year’s national draft, will face his brother, Zane Duursma, who plays for North Melbourne. “Knowing siblings and the way Willem is, he’ll be pretty competitive against his brother,” McQualter said, highlighting the personal stakes in the match.
