The West Coast Eagles secured some exciting midfield options and potential x-factor players at the 2017 AFL National Draft at the Sydney Showgrounds last night.
The Eagles secured one of the bargains of the draft when it snapped up Bendigo key position player Jarrod Brander after he slipped through to the club’s first selection at No.13.
Brander, who supported West Coast growing up despite growing up in Victoria, can play both forward and back and adds class and depth to West Coast's spine.
He finished the national 18s championships with an eye-catching display at centre half-forward for Vic Country against Vic Metro.
The club then added three exciting Western Australian prospects – highly-rated West Perth forward Oscar Allen, 2017 Bernie Naylor medallist Liam Ryan and Subiaco midfielder Brayden Ainsworth.
West Coast completed the night by securing explosive midfielder Jack Petruccelle and tenacious Sandringham Dragons on-baller Hamish Brayshaw.
Allen was touted to go much earlier in the ballot and while he is a hard-running key forward, he also played in the midfield for West Perth’s colts side and could develop into a big-bodied engine room option in senior football.
Ryan is the excitement machine from Subiaco who kicked 73 goals to be the competition’s leading goalkicker, backing up from the 40 goals he kicked in his debut season in 2016. Another product from Geraldton, he continues the club’s powerful association with the state’s mid-west.
Ainsworth was an all-Australian under-18s midfielder who enjoyed an outstanding carnival, where his endurance was a feature.
The club’s fifth selection, pushed back to No.38 after Richmond matched a bid from St Kilda for Richmond father-son selection Patrick Naish, ensures some genuine pace is injected into the squad with Northern Knights midfielder Pertrucelle locked in.
Petruccelle has elite speed, was the No.1 ranked player in the 20m sprint at the National Draft Combine and can play a number of roles. He can fill a variety of positions and will add another dimension to the club’s list.
And Brayshaw, whose brother Andrew was selected by Fremantle with the second selection of the night, is a tough in-and-under midfielder/forward who will contribute to his family’s elite football imprint.
He was drafted with the club’s final selection, No.68.
The Eagles made the most of their opportunity to bank high-grade talent after trading to have four second round selections.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the talent we have been able to bring to the club through this draft,” list manager Brady Rawlings said tonight.
“We have key position coverage through Jarrod and Oscar, a lively small forward in Liam, and a range of midfield capabilities through Brayden, Jack and Hamish.
“It’s a good mix that brings some quality people and talent who will complement the players already on our list.
“We have secured a mix of exciting young players who give us cover across all areas of the ground and we believe they will be able to wield an influence as we move into a new era at the club.”
