Worsfold. Matera. Jakovich. Turnbull. Lamb. McIntosh. Heady. Braun. Embley. Lynch.
These were just some of names that featured in last week’s 2019 West Coast Eagles Second Generation Academy camp.
Sons and daughters of West Coast legends got to walk in the footsteps of their famous fathers for two days at Eagles HQ.
The father-son component of the event, which has been running for the past eight years, featured a mix of football clinics, gym sessions and indoor skill activities.
West Coast Eagles game development head coach Drew Petrie said he was impressed by the boys’ natural talent during the various training sessions.
“We started by training the boys on Friday morning at Perth Modern School,” Petrie said.
“The skill level was really good. We split the boys up into an older and younger group.
"The two groups trained really well under the watchful eyes of AFLW senior coach Luke Dwyer, 2006 premiership player Adam Selwood and former Eagles Eric Mackenzie and Bradd Dalziell.
“We did some indoor skills as well before we brought the kids back to the club where we watched the final 10 minutes of the grand final. They were all cheering and jumping around. It was almost like it was live, the kids were that animated.”
The father-daughter attendees joined their father-son counterparts on the Saturday but were treated to their own unique program that boasted a football skills session, tackling seminar, yoga workshop and a mindfulness meeting.
The talented girls trained under the supervision of Female Academy coordinator Jan Cooper, schools and community officer Amy Woods, Female Academy prospect Danika Pisconeri and Dwyer.
“For the girls it was the third year since we integrated them into the academy and we had 13 daughters attend on the Saturday,” Petrie said.
“They participated in a footy session in the morning before doing some yoga and mindfulness training, which is something a lot of AFL players are doing these days.
“We really tried to give the girls a bit of an insight as to what AFLW players might go through in a training session.
“Jan Cooper detailed where the club was at regarding our AFLW team that is entering the competition in 2020.
“Fingers crossed we might be able to draft a couple of the Second Generation Academy girls in the coming years.”
The West Coast Eagles Second Generation Academy is proudly sponsored by Ballpoint Construction Group
Both groups were also treated to a Q&A with premiership midfielder Mark Hutchings and dependable defender Brad Sheppard.
As has become tradition, the sons and daughters capped off the camp by going to war with their fathers in separate matches, with the children prevailing in both.
“I think there were about 22 boys versus 12 dads in the father-son match, so through weight of numbers, plus energy and enthusiasm, the boys got the win,” Petrie said.
“It was certainly a competitive game and I think umpire Adam Selwood put the whistle away. There were a couple of questionable tackles, but the game was played in good spirit.
“The girls played against their dads at Subiaco Oval in the afternoon and were also victorious. They played in stifling heat – it was pretty hot on the day – but the girls performed really well.”
