Bedrford, Cockie could be answer to forward line deficiencies
WEST Coast's forward line deficiencies seems to have been addressed following the recruitment at last week's AFL rookie draft of two lads capable of finding more goals more often.
That's the long-term plan, anyway, after the Eagles last Tuesday nabbed Liam Bedford and Adam Cockie with selections two and 18 respectively.
And if their recruitment to the Eagles does pay off in more goals more often, West Coast fans can thank original son Phil Narkle for it.
Bedford and Cockie look set to be groomed for roles left vacant following the departures of Phil Matera and Ashley Sampi. Both are senior premiership players: Bedford with Geelong in 2007; Cockie with Subiaco in 2008.
Bedford, 20, from the Kimberley region in north-west WA, stands at 180cm and is described as having exceptional pace and good play-reading ability.
Cockie, 19, also 180cm, is a hard-running midfielder capable of winning the hard ball and able to push forward to contribute with a goal or two.
There was no doubt the Eagles missed that finish in front of goal this year. Coupled with the loss of high-profile players over the past two seasons, their position as an on-field power plummeted -- from premiers in 2006 to holding up the ladder in second last place, one win ahead of wooden spooners Melbourne in 2008.
Narkle, an inaugural Eagles player in 1987, is on board at the club in a part-time advisory and player welfare role. Part of his job is to identify talent and refer the players to the Eagles' recruiting committee. What happens from that point is out of his control.
Narkle yesterday said he was impressed with Cockie, having watched the 19-year-old develop into a key player and force his way into a talent-rich Subiaco side.
"They've been in the system for a bit. Adam comes from playing in a strong Subiaco outfit with AFL and VFL players, so he's had a strong footy upbringing and development. So for him, it's whether he can handle the next step," Narkle said.
"And Liam's been in the system with Geelong.
"Getting a foot in the door is the first step. Then they'll get whatever role is required; it just depends on the match-ups on game day, the balance of the team and their pre-season performances.
"The way you look at it (for the Eagles), losing players like Ash (Sampi) and Phil Matera was pretty bad. Both had that goal awareness. But like everything else, we recruited what was best for the team."
Narkle is predicting the club he loves will rise up sometime soon.
"It'll turn around slowly for us," he said.
"We have that tradition of having a winning culture. We're a proud and very strong club. I can't see us staying down too long."
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Last Modified on 24/12/2008 04:28