As had been widely predicted the Eagles secured the West Australian under-18s captain and then rounded out the process by adding Malcolm Karpany (selection 31), Tom Barrass (43) and Dylan Main (49).
Securing Sheed with pick 11 completed a masterstroke from the Eagles recruiters and list management committee who took a calculated gamble in the trade period which also allowed them to recruit Elliot Yeo from Brisbane.
In an effort to trade Yeo onto the senior list, GeneralManager Football Operations Craig Vozzo negotiated a deal that saw West Coast swap pick six for 11 with Collingwood, providing the Eagles with the second round draft selection that the Lions commanded for the emerging midfielder.
That deal was criticised by some, but ultimately produced the result that the club’s astute football staff had anticipated.
“We are delighted with the outcome at tonight’s draft,” Vozzo said.
“A great deal of work and meticulous planning goes into this process and we could not be happier with the players we have brought into the club via the trade and draft.
“We felt we needed to add some depth within the midfield and that has certainly been delivered. Elliot has played mainly at half-back but we expect in the longer term he will develop into a quality midfielder.
“Not only that but Xavier Ellis came to us as a free agent and of course we recruited four exciting young players tonight.
“We were quietly confident that Dom would be available to us at pick 11 and that was why we made the decision to swap first round selections with Collingwood. To also draft Malcolm Karpany, who adds skill and class to our midfield and forward half, Tom Barrass is a developing tall defender and Dylan Main is a smooth moving tall half-back with potential midfied attributes.”
Karpany, from Woodville-West Torrens while Barrass (Claremont) and Main (South Fremantle) are local products.
Sheed, who has supported West Coast all of his life, could hardly believe he was finally an Eagle.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “I have supported the club all my life and admired the way that Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr played, so this is a dream come true. I can’t wait to get started.
“I’ll get stuck into the pre-season training and see what happens from there.”
