The star-studded OWLS team, filled with premiership players, former captains, Brownlow, Norm Smith and John Worsfold medallists returned to the field going head-to-head against their kids in a game filled with fun, laughter and minimal running, prior to the Eagles' round one clash with Gold Coast.
It was the match’s third-straight year on Optus Stadium in what has become an annual curtain raiser, bringing together Eagles of the past with the future in a light-hearted game.
The next generation of Eagles is looking exciting as the Second Generation Academy dominated their dads, albeit having almost double the amount of players.
Game Development Manager and ex-Eagles player Michael Prior organised the curtain raiser and was thrilled with the day’s success overall, whilst being incredibly impressed in how the next generation is developing.
“It was another successful game in what’s become an exciting event each year. We find this game is always well represented with 20 past players and around 45 of their kids coming along this year who got a real kick out of playing on Optus Stadium,” Prior said.
“It’s just another way that we as a club like to stay connected with our past players and for them to be able to bring their kids along, see where their dads played their footy and spent a large chunk of their lives is just great.
“In terms of our Second Generation Academy, we’ve got a great mix of talented kids from all age groups.
“Some who’re 17 years old playing 18’s footy and some who have only come to these sessions recently who are really developing into talented young players which is great to see and we’ll look to stay connected in their football journeys going forward.”
The feedback from players was overwhelmingly positive in what has become the main fixture in a number of alumni events throughout the year, keeping past players and their kids connected as part of the West Coast Eagles family.
"It’s a great opportunity even walking out here, it’s such a wonderful stadium and getting to see it from a different perspective at ground-level alongside all the little tackers is great,” 2006 premiership player and former Captain Darren Glass said.
“It’s great to get back, see the old faces and all the kids; it’s a bit of an army out here now with what we’ve got coming through and awesome for the club to be able to put this on,” 2006 premiership player Adam Selwood said.
“All week Noah and the two Banfield boys have been saying they’re going to take a hanger on our heads and tackle us so there’s been plenty of competitiveness out there today,” 2006 premiership player Michael Braun said.
“Getting to be around past players, build on that connection, stay involved with the Club and watch this next group of players come through is what it’s all about,” 2014 Brownlow medallist and 2013 John Worsfold Medallist Matt Priddis said.
