Jackson Nelson’s experience will be a valuable asset for the WAFL Eagles next season after the tough utility’s decision to play for the club’s state league team.

Nelson’s senior West Coast career came to an end this year after 102 AFL games in blue and gold, however the Victorian has chosen to remain with the club and help develop the next generation under WAFL Eagles coach Rob Wiley in 2023.

“The club has been my home for the last eight years and I wanted to stay in Perth. I enjoyed playing WAFL at the back end of last year and hanging around the WAFL boys, and hopefully I can still have some impact at that level,” Nelson said.

“Hopefully I can help develop some of the young guys coming through as well. Leadership and coaching might interest me - that’s something I’m pretty passionate about.

“Connecting with the young blokes and understanding they’re going to go through hard times and getting dropped and being out of the senior side – I’ve definitely experienced that throughout my career – so if I can help them in some way that’s the thought process behind it.”

Drafted from the Geelong Falcons via pick 51 in 2014, Nelson’s arrival in the west coincided with a successful era under senior coach Adam Simpson.

The 26-year-old was part of two Grand Final campaigns in 2015 and 2018, and understands the importance of a squad mentality to building successful teams.

“If the AFL side can stay fit and we can sign a couple of other guys in the coming months we’ll have a pretty strong WAFL side, hopefully, and be a lot more competitive,” Nelson said.

Football Manager Gavin Bell was thrilled Nelson decided to continue his connection to West Coast.

“It’s a sign of Jackson’s desire to help the club that he has chosen to represent the WAFL Eagles next year after the club made the difficult decision for him not to continue with the AFL program,” Bell said.  

“His experience after eight seasons at the elite level will be invaluable for the WAFL Eagles team and our developing players.”