Mitchell Woodcock: Bailey Williams ticks the McQualter’s Men boxes to get first crack at ruck

Finding a successor to Nic Naitanui was always going to be a near impossible task. The Eagles were blessed that before Dean Cox hung up the boots they had drafted the dreadlock-draped Naitanui out of Swan Districts and that he had serviceable time as an apprentice. Since Naitanui’s career-ending Achilles tendon injury in early 2023 and subsequent retirement in August of that year West Coast have been looking to fill his enormous shoes. It’s why they recruited Matt Flynn out of Greater Western Sydney months later, hoping the 202cm and 107kg ruckman would give them a force in the middle as they rebuilt their midfield. Yet as we draw closer to round one of this season it appears likely that Flynn’s injury troubles in 2024 that restricted him to only four games at Lathlain and the versatility of Bailey Williams has him set to start the year on the sidelines. Williams had long been viewed by former coach Adam Simpson as a future forward-ruck, but through necessity, he’d become their main man and to the 24-year-old’s credit he’s been reliable, playing 46 games in the past two seasons. Starting opposite Flynn in the “best” side, Williams showcased the mobility and endurance that McQualter would be looking for in a ruckman who plays the fleet-footed style he wants to implement. Don’t forget that McQualter comes from a Richmond team that won premierships with Shaun Grigg as a back-up to Toby Nankervis. And while things won’t be that drastic at the Eagles, there is no dominant big man in their sheds as of right now. Through necessity they’ve turned ruckmen Callum Jamieson and Harry Barnett into backmen, while Coen Livingstone is competitive in the contest but a bit off being AFL ready. Forwards Jack Williams and Archer Reid appear capable of being forward-rucks to back up big Bailey who arguably deserves first crack at the centre bounce opposite Jarrod Witts next month.