The West Coast Eagles has turned to the basketball court to lock away its latest category B rookie prospects with Patrick Bines and Brodie Riach signing 2019 contracts with the club.
Victorian-based Bines, an Australian u/17 basketball representative and former Vic Metro teammate of Jack Petruccelle, will remain in his home state in training and join the club later in the year ahead of his first pre-season.
The exciting ruck and key position prospect said he was thrilled to be given a chance at his AFL dream by West Coast.
“It’s really exciting for me, it’s always something I’ve wanted to do throughout my basketball career,” Bines said.
“Just to have the opportunity to come to the West Coast Eagles is something I’ll never forget.
“Basketball is now put aside and I’ll focus on my footy 100%, I’m going to give it my all.
“I’ll be training in Melbourne every day; I have a program set up, I’ll be over in November and can’t wait for it.”
Perth-born Riach, a 189cm running type and life-long Eagles fan, said he was looking forward to getting started.
“It’s been a big few weeks but I think the chance to stay at home in front of family and friends at a club I grew up supporting is a massive honour,” Riach said.
“I grew up watching some of these guys play so to come in and meet them is a huge honour.
“The club’s been really great in welcoming me, the players and coaches have been good, I’ve felt right at home straight away.”
West Coast Eagles list manager Brady Rawlings said the club was already impressed with the pair’s application to their football.
“We’ve been looking in this space for two years; we’ve really invested in our scouts looking at basketball players, and other sports,” Rawlings said.
“There’s a lot to weigh up when you’re looking into players from other sports, obviously you can’t watch them play a game of football.
“The thing with these two guys is that they’ve really shown that desire, they’re really keen to get started with us, and their attitude has been first-class.
“For them to go through this process, with their basketball path ahead of them, and put their time into football, I’ve really respected and I think they’re going to make a really good go of it.”
