The West Coast Eagles have today formally offered former Fremantle forward Hugh Dixon a rookie contract after accepting an invitation to train during the supplemental selection period.

Dixon was invited to train with the carrot of a second opportunity at AFL level and he has impressed in his short audition, removing any doubt about his credentials with a two-goal effort against his former club in last week’s practice game at Mineral Resources Park.

The agile key forward was able to be offered a rookie contract after the club lodged paperwork with the AFL transferring all-Australian defender Brad Sheppard to the inactive list.

Sadly, Sheppard retired prematurely on the eve of the resumption of pre-season training because of on-going concussion symptoms.  

Originally from Tasmanian club Kingborough, Dixon was drafted to the Dockers with selection 44 in the 2017 draft. He played his solitary game in the AFL in the last game of the 2019 season game against Port Adelaide and was de-listed at the end of the 2020 season.

He played last season with East Fremantle, catching the eye of West Coast recruiters with a stand out performance against the WAFL Eagles during that campaign.

At 197cm he has the capacity to play forward and assist in the ruck.

“We have been impressed with Hugh’s approach to winning a place on our list and he could not have done any more to convince us that he deserves this chance,” national recruiting and list manager Rohan O’Brien said today. “He was among our best in the practice game last Friday night and we think he has a lot to offer.

“He turned 23 just last week, has been in the system previously and understands the demands at the elite level.

“Hugh has settled in nicely at the club and certainly the other players were rapt for him when they were told he would be added to our squad.”     

While Dixon has been locked in for the 2022 campaign, another former Fremantle player Luke Strnadica, former Brisbane midfielder Tom Joyce and former Richmond midfielder Patrick Naish will train for the next week as they push to secure AFL life lines.   

Naish, the son of former Richmond and Port Adelaide forward Chris, played nine senior games with the Tigers, six of them last year.