A HIGHLY criticised trade ended up netting West Coast the top local talent in this year’s draft at bargain price, which proved to be a theme of the Eagles’ intake. Also among the key tropes were variety and competitiveness, helping make up a high-quality haul of six fresh faces overall.

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DRAFT HAUL

National Draft:

16. Bo Allan
30. Jobe Shanahan
46. Tom Gross
48. Lucca Grego
65. Hamish Davis

Rookie Draft:

Cat B. Malakai Champion (NGA)

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

West Coast faced plenty of backlash for trading out of pick three, which it essentially turned into Liam Baker, Matt Owies, and Bo Allan. The top local talent and state captain was an easy name to call out for the Eagles at pick 16, proving impossible to pass up amid a minefield of potential landing spots.

Allan, who won a senior WAFL premiership with Fremantle affiliate Peel Thunder this year, looms as a readymade proposition. His physicality and explosive athletic traits at 191cm are high level, making him a long-term threat through midfield. He’ll likely start out his career down back, though.

If the Eagles were surprised to land Allan at pick 16, they were thrilled to have Jobe Shanahan available on night two. The mobile key forward boasts a strong set of hands and found form at VFL level this year, booting 11 goals in three games for Essendon’s reserves. He has serious swingman potential.

After taking the Moama native with pick 30, West Coast took the opportunity to package a pair of Vic Metro teammates in the 40s. Both are terrific competitors who can play at respective ends of the ground along with midfield, and they have strong ties interstate through family.

The first was Tom Gross (pick 46) out of the Oakleigh Chargers. While renowned as a power athlete, the midfielder-forward has a strong work rate and loves to launch the ball forward. He can refine his end product but often impacts the scoreboard. His mother is originally from Perth, making the link clear.

Soon after Gross came Lucca Grego, a rugby league convert who thrives on producing tough defensive acts. The reliable, hard-working defender has a clean set of hands and penetrative boot, which he has begun to use more efficiently. He grew up in Queensland before relocating to Victoria with family.

Capping off a successful two nights at the National Draft was an absolute steal in Hamish Davis (pick 65). Like Allan, the Claremont product gained plenty of exposure at WAFL League level. His running patterns are terrific and at 190cm he has the versatility to play on the wing or on-ball.

Another win for the Eagles was seeing Next Generation Academy graduate Malakai Champion slip through to the Rookie Draft. It meant West Coast could add the small forward to its Category B rookie list. The 172cm livewire has innate goal sense and super smarts at ground level as a long-term prospect.

Having otherwise passed on making a live rookie selection, West Coast has invited discarded Sun Sandy Brock to train at the club during the supplemental selection period. The delisted Coby Burgiel is also said to be in contention to land the Eagles’ final list spot.