‘Can’t see how they’re going to win’ and ‘comical errors’: Concerns for struggling AFL clubs

“I didn’t think it could get much worse than last year. But from what I’ve seen so far, I can’t see how they’re going to win a game,” the Saints great said on Fox Footy.

“Now they’ll bop up and win a couple – they’re still missing six of their best 18 when you look at their best team. But it’s going to be tough goings.”

Dual premiership Kangaroo David King believes West Coast is only “just off,” but emphasised how constant small margins can add up.

King said the club must work out which young players are giving to drive the group forward.

“They are just off – and if you’re just off in this game, you’re nowhere. It’s just a metre here, a metre there,” King said on The First Crack.

“I just think they’re small, small margins, but you’ve got to get them right. That’s a learned skill, so for me it’s time. People don’t want to hear it’s time, but they’re the realities.

“It happens when it happens. For some guys, it’ll happen over one meeting. Others, it might never come. Those that it’s never going to come, cya later. But for those that are quick to adapt and ply their trade and allow their talents to work, they’ll be played every week.

“They don’t have enough talent at the moment – we all know that – but you don’t need talent to win.”

King also implored Simpson to “get creative” with McGovern and try swinging him forward more.

“How many times can you just save the game behind the ball? Throw him forward every now and then and see if you can kick a score,” King added.

“They’re (Eagles fans) not going to go and watch three goals a week, simple as that.”

Meanwhile North Melbourne, who finished one spot above West Coast last year in 17th place, also dropped its third-straight game to start 2024 in a convincing 56-point defeat to Carlton on Good Friday.

While Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay combined for nine goals to monster the Kangaroos’ inexperience defence, King believes his former club’s back half turnovers are the greatest cause for concern – albeit against a Blues outfit that posted a massive 200 pressure rating – a feat the Blues have achieved only eight times in five years.

King showed a series of clips where North Melbourne turned the ball over in defence in an area Alastair Clarkson’s team is “being exposed”.

“Carlton put the back six of the Kangas under that much pressure, they couldn’t handle it,” the North legend said.

“The Kangaroos have got a problem down back bringing the ball out of their defensive half – they’re averaging 36 points against (after turning it over, ranked 18th in the AFL) – some of the errors are comical and some are young kids still learning.

“I think they’ve got to look at (Colby) McKercher and maybe get him out of there for a while. Free his head up a little bit, play a little bit of wing or further away from goal, be a bit more creative.

“This sort of stuff from your senior leaders, you can’t have. You just can’t put the back six into a flat spin with those sorts of kicks and efforts. You’ve got to meet a standard.”

King highlighted that Geelong (averaging 13 points against from back half turnovers) and Carlton (14) were effectively starting four goals ahead of the Roos.

“You can’t find four goals, you’re lucky to find one in another component,” he said.

“There’s a saving to be had there, I don’t know what the answer is and that’s why Alastair Clarkson is at the footy club.”