When the West Coast Eagles’ full squad comes together on Monday morning for the first time this pre-season there will be a distinct air of excitement and renewal around Mineral Resources Park.

Fresh faces – some young and others a little more seasoned – and returning senior players will be pulling on the blue and gold with a sense of anticipation as first-year senior coach Andrew McQualter takes charge of a new-look group.

Since the end of last season, the Eagles have added nine on-field recruits over a productive player movement period, building on recent change and progress across the club.

The pre-listing of Naitanui Academy small forward Malakai Champion on Friday as a category B rookie was the final piece of the draft puzzle that fell into place.

That jigsaw started materialising on night one of the national draft when Bo Allan – WA’s top draft prospect and touted as a top-10 selection – slid past possible suitors to West Coast on the clock holding pick 15.

It was a shock to many draft experts, with another twist still to come.

A pre-discussed trade deal with Port Adelaide was in play, allowing West Coast List Manager Matt Clarke to quickly pull the trigger on a slide one spot further back, knowing Allan would still be on the board, while also snapping up the Power’s pick 45.

Then, the Eagles had no hesitation officially taking Allan with their first pick.

“Couldn’t believe he got there, to be honest,” thrilled National Recruiting Manager Duane Massey reflected at the draft’s conclusion.

“It was an outstanding selection - easy one to call out. Bo’s been a terrific player for a couple of years now. Leader of the WA side, so really happy to have Bo.

“He’s a strong competitor, Bo. He’s played senior footy at Peel all year. He plays half-back, he plays midfield. He’s strong, powerful and he’s quick.

“He’s an outstanding person so we’re really happy to have him.”

Buoyed by their opening night’s work, West Coast’s recruiting team spent Thursday assessing the remaining options before returning to Marvel Stadium with numerous scenarios under consideration.

Holding the third pick of night two, the hope was Moama-based key forward Jobe Shanahan would make it through, and so it proved.

West Coast swooped on the versatile big man – who can also play back – with pick No.30, in a selection rated one of the biggest steals by draft experts.

But attention quickly turned back to what came next, after Clarke’s shrewd manoeuvre with Port the previous evening placed the Eagles in the hunt for more talent.

That traded-in selection from the Power became Oakleigh Chargers competitive forward-mid Tom Gross and West Coast was on the clock again two selections later, having shifted its future third-round selection to the Lions to dive back into proceedings.

With pick 48, the Eagles snared half-back Lucca Grego, another tough nut hailing from Liam Duggan country in Bacchus Marsh.

The Eagles weren’t done yet, though.

Once Claremont’s forward-mid Hamish Davis surprisingly remained on the board at pick 65 – secured from North Melbourne in Jack Darling’s trade – the Eagles pounced, adding to the variety of players coming onto the list.

“It was a great result. We’re really happy,” Massey said.

“It fell a little bit that way but it was also a plan of having a good mix of players and different players on the list.”

As with any draft, time will tell on the true outcomes for every club.

But the 2024 crop was rated as deep as any in recent memory, and the Eagles continued regenerating their list with young talent.

Allan, Shanahan, Gross, Grego, Davis and Champion will join an emerging group driving the Eagles on the journey back up the ladder.

Importantly, the recruiting and list management teams have also added experience and quality around them.

Utilising the player movement levers, West Coast landed free agent Jack Graham and traded for Liam Baker and Matt Owies as part of the deal to relinquish pick three that also ultimately secured Bo Allan.

Granting key defender Tom Barrass his wish to get to Hawthorn during the Trade Period banked three future picks – all of which the Eagles have retained for next year, including their own future first and second-round selections.

“We’re rapt. Obviously pick three went out, we lost Tom and Jack to other clubs, but I feel as though with the ins coming with Jack Graham, ‘Bakes’ and Matty Owies and the draft haul … we’ve ended up really nicely,” Massey said.

“We’ve also banked some future picks for next year which is a great result.”

West Coast players recruited and drafted:

Liam Baker (Richmond)

Jack Graham (Richmond)

Matt Owies (Carlton)

Bo Allan (pick 16)

Jobe Shanahan (pick 30)

Tom Gross (pick 46)

Lucca Grego (pick 48)

Hamish Davis (pick 65)

Malakai Champion (Category B rookie)

West Coast 2025 draft picks:

2 x first-round (West Coast and Hawthorn)

2 x second-round (West Coast and Hawthorn)

1 x third-round (Hawthorn)

1 x fourth-round (West Coast)