The article centers on the controversial recruitment of West Coast Eagles players by the Hawthorn Hawks. Oscar Allen, co-captain of the Eagles, was targeted by Hawks coach Sam Mitchell (who previously coached at West Coast) in a meeting that became public knowledge. Other players involved include Liam Baker, Jack Graham (from Richmond) and Matt Owies (from Carlton), who joined West Coast in trades that saw the Eagles' first draft pick significantly drop.
The public nature of the meeting between Mitchell and Allen, along with the perceived lack of support for Allen from West Coast, drew criticism from supporters and commentators. The article highlights this as an example of unethical behaviour within the AFL and suggests West Coast's response was inadequate. The actions are viewed as damaging to player morale and the club's reputation.
West Coast CEO Don Pyke's response was deemed weak and lacking compared to the reactions of other CEO's in similar situations. The club's handling of the Allen situation is criticized for essentially leaving him as a scapegoat. The article suggests that instead of addressing the issue head-on, the club neglected to take action against Hawthorn and placed the blame on Allen.
The Eagles' decision to deviate from their previous draft strategy, and the subsequent trades that impacted their draft position, are also highlighted as contributing factors to the situation. These factors suggest internal issues and strategic weaknesses within the West Coast Eagles.