March 31, 2022
Well, the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season is underway, and it has presented some challenges so far, that's for sure.
In true Eagles fashion, we've stepped up to the challenges and met them head on, including round 2, when we had no choice to dig deep into our list of 'COVID contingency' players from the WAFL and also debut a few of the newer recruits on our list.
And didn't those guys dig deep for us? We're very grateful for the contribution of those WAFL players who dropped everything to be available to travel to Melbourne last week – Brayden Ainsworth, Aaron Black, Angus Dewar, Stefan Giro, Luke Meadows, Declan Mountford, Chad Pearson and Angus Schumacher. It was also great to have our captain, Luke Shuey, back on the park, along with debutants Callum Jamieson and Jack Williams.
Although the result didn't go our way, we couldn't be prouder of how the team competed under the difficult conditions.
In AFLW news, congratulations to our captain, Emma Swanson, on being crowned 2022 Club Champion, and backing that up with selection into the All-Australian squad. Emma is an integral member of the team and leads by example both on and off the field. It is only fitting that she also received this year's Player Trademark Award. Well-deserved recognition for a wonderful player and club person.
Also at the Club Champion Awards, Dana Hooker was Club Champion runner-up, and Charlie Thomas took home the Best First Year Player award. Andrea Gilmore was awarded the title of Best Club Person. Congratulations to Dana, Charlie and Andrea.
Sadly, a number of players have made the tough decision to retire from the AFLW competition – inaugural Eagles, Melissa Caulfield and Courtney Guard, as well as Andrea Gilmore and Tayla Bresland, who have just completed their second season with the club. Maddy Collier will also leave us to return to New South Wales. We thank each of them for their contribution and commitment to our club during these early years of growing and developing our AFLW team.
As the AFLW season is likely to move to a timeslot earlier in the year, a lot will need to happen more quickly than usual in the AFLW space, and we will no doubt have more news for you soon.
And now we head into RAC Derby 54 in the AFL competition, hopefully with a few more of our familiar faces back in action. Due to there still being a number of players at both clubs unavailable due to AFL Health and Safety Protocols, the AFL has extended the deadline for this week’s team lodgements until Saturday afternoon, so you won’t see a team announcement from us today.
I'm sure you will be cheering the boys on during Sunday's RAC Derby, wherever you are – for those able to make it to the match, the team is looking forward to having you behind them, so make it loud!
Kind Regards,
Trevor Nisbett
Chief Executive
