Rookie debut exposes Eagles blunder

Mid-season draft No.1 choose Ryan Maric will make his debut simply 10 days after arriving at West Coast, however Eagles followers have been left pondering why the thrilling teenager is not going to be joined by one other draftee.

The Eagles introduced the 18-year-old from Drouin would face the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday after he was considered one of simply 4 goalkickers in a heavy loss on his WAFL debut final weekend.

West Coast solely had six different AFL-listed gamers on the sector alongside Maric, with the collection of the ahead highlighting their determined want for gamers prepared for senior soccer amid a horror run of accidents this season.

The dire participant scarcity has led to criticism from followers over the Eagles’ resolution to not open up one other listing spot forward of the mid-season draft, with ruckman Nic Naitanui dominated out for the rest of the season lower than per week later.

Naitanui will endure surgical procedure to deal with the achilles concern that has plagued him for the reason that pre-season.

Injured duo Liam Ryan and Jamaine Jones are each listed as no less than seven weeks away from returning, whereas younger defender Coby Burgiel is now out indefinitely after being despatched for surgical procedure following repeat hamstring accidents.

Poised to offer a glimmer of sunshine for West Coast followers in his first season, Maric stated it was “surreal” to be chosen for a debut so quickly.

“I only got drafted a week ago. I’ve only been here four or five days, so to go straight in pretty quickly it’s pretty crazy,” he stated.

“I’m just over the moon. It’s all happened pretty quickly. I’m so happy.

“It’s a bit of a whirlwind. My head has been spinning the first couple of days, just trying to settle into my new living arrangements and new schedule … it’s all happening.”

He stated it was taking time to regulate to the rigours of making ready for AFL video games however was thrilled at how his teammates and membership employees had welcomed him.

“It’s difficult, I’ve been pretty tired the last couple of days. I didn’t realise how many meetings and how many people there are you have to talk to,” he stated.

“Everyone here is awesome, so I’ve felt very welcomed and very loved from the first day I walked in.

“It’s building those stronger connections now. It’s a great place, great environment, so I can’t be happier.”

Source: www.news.com.au