Gary Stocks 5:30 PM Mon 29 Jun, 2009
Youngster Mitch Brown has re-signed with the West Coast Eagles
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The West Coast Eagles have taken positive strides in shoring up its future by securing several of its young guns on extended contracts.
Key position players Mitch Brown and Eric Mackenzie and ruckman-forward Nic Naitanui, have all been re-signed by the club. That news follows the recent announcement that emerging midfielder Brad Ebert had also re-committed to the club.
Those key signatures, along with that of senior coach John Worsfold who completed the formality of a two-year extension late last week, provides buoyancy to the club as it begins in earnest the task of climbing back up the AFL ladder.
Brown and Mackenzie have each missed just one game this season while Naitanui, the No.2 selection from the 2008 ballot, has played the last two matches and has slotted nicely into senior football, and has extended his contract with the club after less than a season.
Both Brown and Mackenzie have played much of the season in defence, working closely with captain and full-back Darren Glass to man up the opposition’s tall forwards. More recently Brown has pushed forward and has been an important option, combining with Josh Kennedy and Quinten Lynch to provide another big focal point forward of centre.
Neale Daniher, General Manager of Football Operations, said West Coast was delighted to secure three quality young players.
“They are the future of the club and securing them for another contract is important for our club,” Daniher said. “Mackenzie and Brown have been terrific all season, playing mainly in defence and will continue to improve as they get more exposure to senior football.
“And in the last couple of weeks Naitanui has forced his way into the team, offering another dimension to our football. This is a very exciting time for our football club and those three young men are all integral in our plans.”
Brown, in particular, has made a strong impact this season having missed all of last year after a knee reconstruction.
The club will continue to work with the management of out of contract players as it strives to secure its playing list.
for westcoasteagles.com.au
