The West Coast Eagles’ loyal In the Wings waitlist members were invited to an exclusive sundowner at Domain Stadium last Wednesday night.
Guests were greeted by team mascot Auzzie the Eagle and her handler Yvonne from the WA Birds of Prey Centre.
It was a unique opportunity for members to get up close and personal with the wedge-tailed eagle, which flies around Domain Stadium before bouncedown at each home game.
West Coast Eagles General Manager of Infrastructure, Projects and Technology Digby Moullin was the first special guest welcomed on stage by MC Glenn Hall.
Digby spoke with members about the club’s plans for a new state-of-the-art facility at Lathlain, focusing on the benefits for members and fans, as well as the wider community.
Discussions surrounding plans for a member/fan café overlooking the training ground and a memorabilia museum were highlights of a member question and answer session.
With night-time training underway, most of the players were busy preparing to take on the Crows, however young gun Jackson Nelson popped up to speak with Glenn about the team’s form and upcoming games.
Nelson said there was healthy competition for spots in the Eagles’ final 22.
He also discussed some of the strategies being implemented at East Perth for the club’s developing players.
The last guests welcomed on to the stage were Auzzie the Eagle and her handler Yvonne.
Guests were given an opportunity to learn how Auzzie came to be associated with the West Coast Eagles and how Yvonne's developed a bond with the bird of prey.
Loving the attention, Auzzie rose to the occasion by showing off her impressive wing span, which when fully-stretched is wider than Nic Naitanui is tall.
After fielding some more questions, Yvonne handed the spotlight back to MC Glenn Hall, who announced three lucky winners of the door prize.
The winners won a West Coast Eagles signed Sherrin, a team-signed flag and a captain/coach-signed Puma hat respectively.