The Eagles have shopped native on the prime finish of the draft, snapping up a WA duo however pulling a shock with their second choose of the opening spherical.
West Coast snared big-bodied midfielder Reuben Ginbey with their first choice at Pick 9 earlier than overlooking Ed Allan to take a fellow WA product in Elijah Hewett at Pick 14.
WATCH THE HEWETTS’ CELEBRATION IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
It was anticipated the Eagles would choose up Allan, the son of inaugural Fremantle captain Ben, with their second choose.
But Hewett’s identify was referred to as to spark wild scenes of celebration at his household residence in Claremont.
Hewett mentioned he was “incredibly excited” to be staying in WA and becoming a member of the Eagles.
“It’s an opportunity I’ve been waiting for for a long time,” he instructed The West Australian.
“Full credit to my family for being a part of this process with me. It’s been an amazing last couple of years, since I set my mind to it and I’m just so fortunate and so blessed to join an amazing club with such a rich history and great people around it.
“It’s right at the beginning – a lot of work to be put in but it’s just exciting to hear my name called out and see the reaction from my family.”
Hewett will be a part of shut pal and fellow Swan Districts product Rhett Bazzo on the Eagles as they give the impression of being to climb off the canvas following their horror two-win season in 2022.
“It’s such an amazing club. They’re on the rebuild and they’re going to look to get some reward for effort and a bit of success over the next couple of years,” he mentioned.
Allan finally slid to select 19, the place he’ll be a part of Collingwood, to be amongst 5 West Aussies to be chosen within the first spherical.
Ginbey, 18, slipped to the Eagles regardless of curiosity from Hawthorn, Geelong and Gold Coast, who all had picks forward of West Coast.
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The East Perth-product began as a half-back, however made the transition to a midfielder this season the place he excelled, profitable WA’s MVP and incomes Under-18s All-Australian honours.
At 189cm and 85kg, Ginbey is seen as a ready-made participant who can have an effect for the Eagles from early on in his profession.
The Eagles had a choose inside the highest 10 for the primary time since they recruited twin All-Australian Andrew Gaff in 2010 with choose 4.
Ginbey has added 15kg of dimension prior to now two years and has drawn comparisons to new teammate in twin All-Australian Elliot Yeo.
“It’s awesome. I was ready to go any to go anywhere but to hear my name called out by West Coast that’s great,” Ginbey instructed FoxFooty.
“I was a bit of a skinny, kind of shorter kid and added 10kg, 10cm kind of thing. I just got in the gym a bit early and that really helped my footy.”
The subsequent problem for Ginbey is to show his household into West Coast supporters after years of barracking for Fremantle.
“We’ll have to see if they throw out the purple gear and get the blue and gold,” he mentioned.
