The West Coast Eagles have secured tenacious Fremantle defender Evie Gooch in an important recruiting move as part of the AFL sign and trade period.
Gooch is a disciplined lockdown defender with the ability to commence attacks with a penetrating and accurate kick.
The utility player is also able to push forward, exemplified during round four of the WAFLW season where she kicked three goals for East Fremantle, underlining her versatility.
The cross-code athlete hails from a soccer background within the W-League, where she lined up for Perth Glory as a goalkeeper.
Gooch then joined the Fremantle Dockers in 2019, and has played 23 AFLW games.
The defensive pillar is also a firefighter, who recently graduated through the Academy with West Coast Eagles captain, Emma Swanson.
General Manager of Community and Game Development Richard O’Connell is thrilled to announce Gooch’s signing with the Eagles, as the club nears its third season in the competition.
“We are very pleased to welcome Evangeline Gooch to the West Coast Eagles, her experience in the AFLW system and fiercely competitive spirit will complement our emerging squad,” O’Connell said.
“Her willingness to develop and learn through her transition from soccer demonstrates someone who is continuously striving to improve. Under Daniel Pratt I’m certain we will see her game grow further.
“Traditionally known for her defensive work, in a recent WAFLW game for her home club of East Fremantle against Swan Districts she pushed forward and kicked three goals, underlining her versatility.”
Evie Gooch joins the West Coast Eagles in a trade deal with Fremantle Dockers in return for National Draft Pick 38..
"It's really exciting, I'm really excited for this change and super excited to be a part of this club," Gooch said.
"It's been a few weeks coming now, I had a really good chat to Emma Swanson as well because we work together sometimes; it's been a really good decision I've made and I'm really happy.
"I got to work together with 'Swanny' over the Academy and we worked really well together, so I'm really hoping we can bring that along to the club here.
"I'm stoked. I can't wait"
