I hope you’re well.
It’s been a little while since I last wrote, and a lot has happened since our AFL season came to an end this year. We obviously weren’t satisfied with the result we achieved, and the AFL players are starting to hit the track again now for pre-season, with the senior members of the squad officially joining training from next week.
We have overhauled our coaching structure and added experienced coaches Matthew Knights and Jarrad Schofield, along with the return of Daniel Pratt. We have also added Jacob Brennan to our development program.
Combined with a raft of fresh, new talent from the draft – plus the experienced Sam Petrevski-Seton joining the club from Carlton – they’re all looking forward to a strong pre-season. Willie Rioli also returns from suspension and he is training well.
We picked up a number of promising young players in the draft, starting with Campbell Chesser (midfield) at pick number 14 overall, our first top 20 pick in a number of years. We followed up with the selection of some home-grown Western Australian talent in Brady Hough (midfield), Rhett Bazzo (tall utility), Jack Williams (key forward), and the more experienced Greg Clark (midfield).
Together with other additions to the squad over the past year, Adam and the coaching panel have a strong list of emerging talent to work with into the future.
Retaining a WAFL Eagles team is another important element in our player development processes, so I’m really pleased that we were able to negotiate a position with the WA Football Commission that allows us to make the most of this opportunity. Rob Wiley is taking the reins of the WAFL Eagles and is already well-advanced in his planning.
Our Wednesday training sessions up until the Christmas break (December 8 and 15) will be open to members and supporters; if you are in the area, you are welcome to come along to Mineral Resources Park and take a look at how the group is progressing. Training times will be posted on our website each week, and you can choose to view the session from the oval or from the café balcony, depending on your preference.
As our attention shifts towards the 2022 NAB AFLW competition, you may have heard that the season has been delayed from its planned season start in December, as COVID-19 impacts settle around the country and Western Australian borders remain closed for now.
Our season will begin on January 9, 2022, and the squad is well into their pre-season training with new coach, Michael Prior. As the fixture stands, we will be playing at home for the first three matches, before heading to Melbourne for a short stretch of away matches. There may well be some changes to the fixture if COVID-19 necessitates; however, we will work to this plan.
Earlier this year, we welcomed a number of new players to our AFLW team. After picking up Evie Gooch (defender) and Aimee Schmidt (forward) during the trade period, we also welcomed Charlie Thomas (tall utility), Courtney Rowley (outside midfielder), Beth Schilling (key defender), Emily Bennett (defender) and Sarah Lakay (ruck) in the draft.
As we build towards the 2022 season, we look forward to watching the squad continue to grow and develop. Remember that a $50 AFLW membership includes free access to our home matches, so jump on board if you haven’t already, and support this talented group.
Finally, please note that West Coast Eagles administration at Mineral Resources Park will be closed from 5pm on Tuesday, December 21 and will re-open at 9am on Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The West Coast Eagles SuperStore will remain open for an extra couple of days for all your last-minute gift shopping, closing at 3pm on Friday, December 24.
Thank you for your ongoing support, especially over the past two uncertain seasons, and we look forward to sharing a (hopefully!) more stable 2022 season with you.
On behalf of the West Coast Eagles, I wish you a safe and happy festive season.
Kind regards,
Trevor Nisbett
Chief Executive
