There has been much speculation that the Eagles had all but locked in Subiaco’s Dom Sheed at pick 11, but as O’Brien explains, the draft doesn’t work that way.
“I think there’s been a perception that we made the decision with particular players in mind,” said O’Brien.
“Given the nature of the draft, you can never really make any decisions with individuals in mind unless you had pick one.
“But we did see a group of players in that area that we thought were very, very even, some bringing slightly different attributes to the next one.
“We were comfortable given the list of players we had that we were able to do that deal, and still be able to offer us a really good opportunity to draft a quality player in the first round.
“And also give us further opportunity to have another selection in the second round, and potentially draft a really good player in as well as getting Elliot (Yeo) I, which was a prime focus for us.”
Watch the full interview with Rohan O’Brien above.
OUR PICKS: 11,31,43 & 49
To meet the West Coast Eagles recruiting team click here.
ELIGIBILITY: Players must be at least 18 years of age in the year they are drafted in.
To go through the process of draft day through the eyes of National Recruiting Manager Rohan O’Brien click here.
AND THEN… The players who miss out on being drafted will have the opportunity to enter the pre-season draft or Rookie Draft which will take place on November 27.
MEMORABLE NO.11 DRAFT PICKS: Brad Johnson, Lenny Hayes, Darren Glass, Beau Waters, Steele Sidebottom.
HISTORIC WEST COAST EAGLES DRAFT BARGAINS: Dean Kemp (117- post draft selection), Dean Cox (28-rookie draft), Brett Heady (92), Andrew Embely (57), Michael Braun (53), Daniel Kerr (18), Tony Evans (64), Chad Fletcher (28-rookie draft), Jack Darling (26), Mark Lecras (37).
Read more about the West Coast Eagles’ top ten ‘draft steals’ of all time below:
Eagles top ten ‘draft steals’ part one
Eagles top ten ‘draft steals’ part two
Click here to register for the West Coast Eagles draft conference call, a world first where fans will get unprecedented access to the major decision makers at the club, which will take place at 6pm WST.
Guests will be able to talk directly to key West Coast personnel such as Senior Coach Adam Simpson, CEO Trevor Nisbett, Contracts and List Manager Craig Vozzo and National Recruiting Manager Rohan O'Brien.
