West Coast

It's time to hand Josh Kennedy the pen.

As reported by AFL.com.au in August, Kennedy has shelved plans to hang up the boots at the end of this season and is keen to continue his career into 2021. Now, West Coast should be doing all it can to ensure he follows through on that decision.

At 33, the experienced goalkicker has enjoyed another super-consistent campaign. He kicked 34 goals from 17 games, while he was arguably the side's most important forward in its heartbreaking one-point elimination final loss to Collingwood.

He works incredibly well in tandem with Jack Darling, provides a nice foil for young talent Oscar Allen when he pushes forward, while his tackling pressure on Saturday night was evidence that there's still life in his legs.

While the Eagles perhaps envisaged Allen stepping into Kennedy's shoes on a full-time basis next year, or while they maybe considered shifting Jarrod Brander into a more predominantly attacking role, there's no reason those ideas can't wait.

Kennedy remains the focal point of West Coast's forward line and has earned the opportunity to go around again for a 16th season in 2021. 

Western Bulldogs

Almost one year ago, the Western Bulldogs set about fixing two crucial areas of need.

In recruiting Josh Bruce from St Kilda, the club thought it was securing the 40-goal per season forward it has long needed. In signing Alex Keath from Adelaide, it also thought it had its reliable intercept option down back.

However, for one reason or another, both have struggled in their new roles throughout their maiden campaigns at the Kennel and have each regressed on their 2019 form. After another disappointing finals exit on Saturday night, such areas therefore remain in need of strengthening.

The Dogs will clinch their forward of the future when consensus No.1 draft prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan arrives later this year via the club's Next Generation Academy. But finding an intercept defender won't be so simple.

The Bulldogs lack a defensive player able to help the club's fellow key backs in either marking or killing aerial balls that enter their defensive 50. It was a deficiency during the season and it was a deficiency against St Kilda in the elimination final.

AFL.com.au has reported that the club looked at Darcy Moore in 2019, but the Collingwood defender appears on the verge of now re-signing with the Pies. So, who are some other options? Perhaps it's time to get creative.

Could a player like Jack Gunston or Tom McDonald fill the void, if reinvented as full-time defenders? Or would Ben Brown fit a need, if it enables one of their key-position players to return to a defensive post?

Regardless, finding a fix should be the first priority this summer.