West Coast chief executive Don Pyke has opened up on all things Eagles in a lengthy and at-times emotional sitdown with 7NEWS Perth’s Ryan Daniels.
Speaking just weeks on from the death of 2006 premiership player Adam Selwood, Pyke fought back tears as he described how he felt when the team won at home just 24 hours after learning the devastating news.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: The full 20-minute interview with Don Pyke.
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West Coast’s first win of the season doubled as Andrew McQualter’s maiden victory as their senior coach following a difficult first two months in charge.
Two more losses have followed but they showed their potential in pushing Geelong last weekend.
“Clearly from a win-loss viewpoint it’s not what he would’ve wanted or what we wanted,” Pyke says.
“But I think we’re seeing progress. He’s delivered in spades and the side’s getting better week in, week out so that’s what we’re after.”
In the background — plenty of discussions and plenty of decisions to be made.
Pyke revealed how they are taking a mixed hands-on, hands-off approach to Harley Reid’s contract negotiations while they wait for him to make a call on his future, something he is in no rush to do given he is already locked in at the Eagles for 2026.
West Coast skipper Oscar Allen’s future is still up in the air, too, and the Eagles also have to decide whether to start paying up to develop their talent, recruit a big-name rival — or even apply for a priority pick.
Pyke also declared he has no regrets over how last year’s trade period, which resulted in recruiting Tigers premiership pair Liam Baker and Jack Graham, played out despite criticism.
“I’m really comfortable with the decisions we made last year,” he said.
“You look at how they’ve performed this year they’ve been significant, it’s been really beneficial for us for our group, our training, leadership.
“This year will be the same decision. We’ve got a strategy around our list management. We understand we want to add young talent but we also need to add other pieces and it’s always a trade-off.”
Other topics include using their war chest after missing out on Sydney Swans star Chad Warner this time, Jeremy McGovern’s future with his concussion battle, and plenty more.
Tap play on the video player above to watch the full interview