The West Coast Eagles are setting their sights on a significant recruiting push for the 2027 AFL offseason, targeting Western Australian talent to bolster their rebuilding squad. While the Eagles’ resurgence in 2026 has been a welcome surprise – already surpassing their win total from the entirety of 2025 – list management is already looking ahead to adding key pieces, with Port Adelaide forward Mitch Georgiades firmly in their sights. Simultaneously, Victorian clubs are beginning to monitor the situation surrounding Sydney Swans key forward Joel Amartey, who looms as a potential free agency target.
The Eagles’ ambition to secure Georgiades, 24, isn’t fresh, but the club’s improved on-field performance and financial position are creating a more compelling case for the restricted free agent. Former Port Adelaide assistant coach Chad Cornes, who worked closely with Georgiades during his time with the Power, believes a return to his home state is increasingly likely. “I hope he stays… but I would be very surprised if he doesn’t go back to Perth – I’m thinking West Coast – at the end of next year,” Cornes told SEN SA radio. The potential departure of Port Adelaide’s key midfielder Zak Butters could further incentivize the Power to consider trading Georgiades this year, potentially yielding a substantial draft haul.
Eagles’ Multi-Pronged Approach to 2027
According to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey, the Eagles aren’t limiting their focus to Georgiades. “I believe their strategy is looking at 2027 as being their huge hit at the trade and free agency space,” Twomey said on AFL Media’s Gettable. “Do another year of drafting this year, potentially try and keep a pick for next year and then you’ve got Chad Warner, Mitch Georgiades and Trent Rivers, all West Australians that I think they’ll be targeting in a very big and significant way.” Twomey highlighted the Eagles’ prudent salary cap management in recent years, positioning them to be aggressive in the 2027 free agency period.
Warner, currently playing for the Sydney Swans, and Rivers, at Collingwood, represent further opportunities for the Eagles to bring West Australian talent back to their home state. The appeal of returning to family and friends, combined with the Eagles’ clear trajectory under their current coaching staff, could prove decisive in attracting these players. The Eagles have been underspending on their salary cap, creating flexibility to offer competitive contracts.
Amartey Attracting Victorian Interest
While the Eagles are focused on luring West Australians home, another key forward is drawing attention from clubs closer to the eastern seaboard. Sydney Swans forward Joel Amartey, a restricted free agent, is expected to attract “big offers” from Victorian clubs, according to AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge. Despite a promising start to his career, with 43 goals from 25 games in 2024, Amartey’s 2025 season was hampered by injury, limiting him to just eight appearances.
Beveridge believes Amartey’s potential is significant enough to warrant substantial interest. “As an unrestricted free agent, that’s the one I’d be going after,” Beveridge said on Gettable. “I think You’ll see going to be a lot of clubs, particularly in Victoria, who are assessing that tall forward pool.” Collingwood and North Melbourne have been specifically mentioned as potential suitors, seeking to add a dynamic key forward to their lineups. The Swans, however, have a crowded forward line featuring Charlie Curnow and Logan McDonald, potentially creating an opportunity for Amartey to seek more consistent playing time elsewhere.
The Free Agency Landscape
The upcoming free agency period is shaping up to be a pivotal one for several clubs. While Ben King remains a highly sought-after key forward, the emergence of players like Amartey and the potential availability of Georgiades are adding complexity to the equation. The Tasmanian expansion, slated to enter the league in the coming years, is also a factor, potentially increasing competition for talent and driving up contract values. The Eagles’ strategy, as outlined by Twomey, is to capitalize on this landscape by targeting players who can significantly contribute to their long-term success.
The success of West Coast’s rebuild hinges on their ability to attract and retain top-tier talent. Their strong start to the 2026 season, exceeding their single win from 2025, has provided a foundation of optimism and a compelling narrative for potential recruits. The club’s focus on securing West Australian players is a strategic move, leveraging the appeal of returning home to bolster their list.
The AFL trade and free agency periods are always dynamic, and the situations surrounding Georgiades and Amartey are likely to evolve as the season progresses. Clubs will continue to assess their needs and opportunities, and players will weigh their options carefully. The next key date to watch will be the mid-season draft, which could provide clubs with an opportunity to address immediate needs, potentially influencing their strategies for the end-of-season free agency period.
The AFL season continues, and with it, the ongoing saga of player movement and list management. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding these key players as clubs prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Share your thoughts on these potential moves in the comments below.
