Lifelong West Coast fan Trent Rivers shed happy tears with his pregnant partner after a deadline day trade to the Eagles from Melbourne went through.
Watching the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period action from Queensland, Rivers and his partner Paris – who is due to give birth next month - could not have been more excited and relieved.
Rivers played 140 games for the Demons, including the 2021 premiership triumph, and the versatile half-back/midfielder said family support was a huge factor in his next move of his career back home to Perth with Paris.
“We’re both so excited for it, so to get (the trade) all ticked off and everything falling into place is exactly what we asked for,” Rivers said.
“I’m ecstatic to be honest. I was sitting there watching the countdown with my partner and finally got the call that the trade went through.
“There were a few tears shed, but all happy, and I can’t wait to get across and get started.”
Rivers was drafted from East Fremantle in 2019 via pick 32 and grew up idolising a pair of homegrown West Coast champions.
“Massive Eagles fan. Mark LeCras was my guy growing up, I was a massive fan of him and Josh Kennedy as well,” Rivers said.
“I was just an absolute fanatic supporter and got to the 2018 Grand Final after playing a Futures game so I was pretty excited about that.
“I bled the colours and I’m so excited to get back and wear the guernsey properly.”
Rivers represented WA in the AFL Origin clash in February and has the ability to play in defence, midfield or on a wing.
His 2024 campaign was outstanding, in the sole season now-West Coast senior coach Andrew McQualter mentored the midfield brigade, when Rivers averaged 21.3 disposals, 3.7 inside 50s and 2.6 clearances in 23 games.
“I’m not too sure where I’m going to be playing but I feel like under ‘Mini’ when he was our midfield coach at Melbourne I was able to play my best footy of my career,” Rivers said.
“That was a real driving factor to get over to Perth was to play under ‘Mini’ as well.
“If there’s a role in the midfield at half-back, on the wing, whatever it might be I’m just happy to put my foot forward and I know it’s going to be tight for spots.
“I’m excited and time will tell where I’m going to be playing my footy.”
Rivers heads west alongside champion teammate Jack Viney in a major boost to the Eagles’ leadership and engine room.
“’Vines’ has been an absolute unbelievable leader of the Melbourne footy club,” Rivers said.
“To play under someone like that – he was the captain, he was the vice-captain – but it was more the day to day stuff like the way he would conduct himself when he was in rehab.
“He was someone you definitely want on your side. When you walk out with him you stand a bit taller.
“He’s a great human, he’s a fun human, and I think he’s going to get on really well with a lot of the younger boys as well as the older guys.
“I honestly couldn’t speak more highly of him so to go across with him – I’ve already spoken to him (since the trade) - it’s going to be super exciting to have that familiar face with me as well.”
