The COVID Contingency List Draft is a further nod to the depth of talent within the WAFL.
After the West Coast Eagles added East Fremantle trio Luke Stnadica, Hugh Dixon and Tom Joyce through the Supplemental Selection Period last week, the additional 20 players who can be called upon should COVID impact in 2022 further underpins the WA talent pool.
While East Perth trio Jackson Ramsay, Damon Greaves and Angus Schumacher, former Eagle Brayden Ainsworth who is now with Perth, Subiaco defender Angus Dewar and midfielder Stefan Giro, Swan Districts defender Tobe Watson and midfielder Sam Fisher and Claremont midfielder Declan Mountford are looking at a second AFL opportunity, a string of established WAFL stars could finally get their chance.
Ramsay previously played with Collingwood, with Dewar and Greaves (Hawthorn), Schumachjer (Carlton), Giro (Fremantle), Watson (Fremantle), Fisher (Sydney) and Mountford (North Melbourne) have all played at the elite level.
West Perth star Aaron Black has been outstanding for the Falcons during a decorated career. The 2014 Sandover medallist is a decorated four-time Breckler medallist as his club fairest and best and was a key player in their 2013 premiership.
Teammate Luke Meadows is another who has had a distinguished career for the Falcons while South Fremantle midfielder Jake Florenca, runner-up for the Bulldogs in their 2020 fairest and best, is deserves higher opportunities.
Fisher, who also spent time training at Carlton before playing with the Blues’ affiliate VFL club Northern Bullants in 2019, won the 2020 Sandover Medal ahead of Black, Ramsay and Florenca.
In addition to those players who have been added from external sources, the Eagles have also listed four players from their WAFL squad.
Should defender Zane Sumich get an opportunity it would be a great story. The robust tall defender is the son of goal-kicking great Peter and joined the club’s WAFL list last year after earlier playing with South Fremantle.
Sumich Jr has impressed with the WAFL Eagles and offers a tall defensive option should he be called upon.
Logan Young, son of prominent player manager Colin Young, has impressed as a ‘train-on’ player over the pre-season and appeals as a tough inside midfielder.
Ambrose Ryan is a small forward-midfielder originally from East Fremantle while Joey Deegan, from amateur club North Beach, plays a similar role and was impressive at WAFL level last year after winning the A-Grade amateur fairest and best in 2020.
South Fremantle defender Tom Blechynden, who trained with the club during the SSP process, was secured through a WAFL draft.
Under the Covid Contingency List system, both West Coast and Fremantle added four players from their WAFL lists, with a further eight players coming from their respective NGA zoned clubs.
The Eagles could select two players from each of Swan Districts, Claremont, East Perth and West Perth.
There was then a draft with alternate selections from within the WAFL, with another eight players allocated to each.
