Over-rated / Under Rated #4: Rhylee West

[FrediKanoute]

Rated about right. I love him as a player and think he is probably the most natural footballer on the list.

However, he lacks pace, both foot speen and accelleration and I think there are others that will go past him. I worry he is little too much like Mitch Wallis.

[jeemak]

Rated about right. I love him as a player and think he is probably the most natural footballer on the list.

However, he lacks pace, both foot speen and accelleration and I think there are others that will go past him. I worry he is little too much like Mitch Wallis.

Interesting comparison. After 2015 Mitch was rated elite by Champion Data due to his inside work as a genuine midfielder, though he really struggled after his horrific leg break in 2016 which is understandable.

I think if West went inside then he'd show some elite traits but we have better cattle in the roles he might play, and it's a credit to Rhylee that at 24 he's been able to fashion a career elsewhere as many others in his situation haven't been able to do that.

Back to the comparison between him and Wallis as forwards, I think Mitch was a bit smarter with the high ball, West is smarter on the low ball. He's possibly marginally quicker but may slow down. But for mine he's improving every year and I think he can again. He looked in ripping condition in the photos I've seen from the club this preseason.

[Countrydog5]

He was not considered for finals in 2024 due to poor form and the MC made the right decision.

I was always under the impression that he dropped out of the side due to his injury and couldn't force his way back in to a team that was rolling pretty well for the last few weeks. I think having him in the elimination final side over Gallagher, Harmes, McNeil would have made us a better team that night.

[Dazza]

Absolutely love his work.

Under rated by the M.C in my opinion.

[BOYDSKICKEDAGOAL!FAK!!]

He started as an inside midfielder and despite getting 30-40 touches a week in the VFL they didn’t pick him. He’s not quick nor an excellent kick so they gave him forward pocket and said make it work.

He’s learnt his role over the years and continues to show progress which is all you can ask for. Finally got a full season in, a healthy preseason and he can most definitely lock down a spot each week. But yes at this stage he’s not a lock - I saw him play hawks in the vfl and he did not deserve to get picked for the final.

Fans love him because of his grunt and pressure, obviously a father son too, I’d say B but he does have games where he shows he’s underrated (e.g. against Carlton).

He’s our second best forward pocket — quick, high pressure small fwds is what we lack most! He’s much better than McNeil and is more reliable than VDM, despite not being as quick as both. Seems to me he’s maturing as a footballer and with his role and is on the right path. I can easily see a 5-10+ improvement on his goal tally. He’s 25 this year so he’s hitting peak physique.

You have to remember he was our second best small fwd behind Cody all year and the dogs were the second highest scoring team in the league, he plays in invaluable roll for us defensively. He’s fighting for goals with Darcy, JUH, Naughton, Weightman + all our mids.

He’s not a bad set shot, he’s strong, defensively minded and tough as nails… but his spot is under the pump. Not much competition in McNeil, VDM, Scott, Arty, Dolan, L.Kennedy? But we do need to be better at ground level in F50. Our forward keys are set for the next decade, we now need to nail one or two more small forwards that pair with the big 3. Similar to how Hawks, Giants, Cats, Pies etc all have 3-4 quick, dynamic and dangerous small fwds.

[Stevo]

He started as an inside midfielder and despite getting 30-40 touches a week in the VFL they didn’t pick him. He’s not quick nor an excellent kick so they gave him forward pocket and said make it work.

He’s learnt his role over the years and continues to show progress which is all you can ask for. Finally got a full season in, a healthy preseason and he can most definitely lock down a spot each week. But yes at this stage he’s not a lock - I saw him play hawks in the vfl and he did not deserve to get picked for the final.

Fans love him because of his grunt and pressure, obviously a father son too, I’d say B but he does have games where he shows he’s underrated (e.g. against Carlton).

He’s our second best forward pocket — quick, high pressure small fwds is what we lack most! He’s much better than McNeil and is more reliable than VDM, despite not being as quick as both. Seems to me he’s maturing as a footballer and with his role and is on the right path. I can easily see a 5-10+ improvement on his goal tally. He’s 25 this year so he’s hitting peak physique.

You have to remember he was our second best small fwd behind Cody all year and the dogs were the second highest scoring team in the league, he plays in invaluable roll for us defensively. He’s fighting for goals with Darcy, JUH, Naughton, Weightman + all our mids.

He’s not a bad set shot, he’s strong, defensively minded and tough as nails… but his spot is under the pump. Not much competition in McNeil, VDM, Scott, Arty, Dolan, L.Kennedy? But we do need to be better at ground level in F50. Our forward keys are set for the next decade, we now need to nail one or two more small forwards that pair with the big 3. Similar to how Hawks, Giants, Cats, Pies etc all have 3-4 quick, dynamic and dangerous small fwds.

I'm a big fan of Westy because sides need players like him to perform specific roles and be happy doing it. From all accounts he is injury free which would be important for him.
I think he's a best 22 player.

By the way, with a quality contribution like that I'm wishing we had seen a bit more of this over the last 12 months.