Eagles take local products in rookie draft

West Coast has added a key defender and a midfielder to their list, with Will Collins and Connor West picked up as part of the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday.

Collins, a defender from Swan Districts was taken with the Eagles first pick at pick 11, having trained with the club in the 2021 pre-season as a Supplementary Selection Period player.

Having been overlooked the 19 year old Collins returned to play with Swans in the WAFL, playing three league games and averaging 10 disposals and 4 marks so far this season.

West has had a breakout season in the WAFL with West Perth, averaging 27 disposals having also made his state debut against South Australia in Adelaide last month.

Having debuted in 2018 at league level and played in a Grand Final in his first season, the 22 year old is son of former West Coast Eagles player Robbie West, who played 13 games from 1991-93 and won a Sandover Medal with the Falcons in 1992.

Matthew Parker preceded those two players in being selected by Richmond, the South Fremantle product joining fellow former Bulldogs in Marlion Pickett and Shai Bolton at Punt Road.

Claremont ruck/forward Kalin Lane was the fourth and final Western Australian player selected, joining a number of talented youngsters at Brisbane.

North Melbourne took ruckman Jacob Edwards with the first pick while Collingwood picked up highly touted mature age forward from Sturt Ashley Johnson.

Gold Coast added depth to their ruck stocks by taking 19 year old Ned Moyle, while Greater Western Sydney claimed local product Jason Peatling with pick 8.

22 players in all were selected, with five picks not utilised.

IMAGE: The West Australian.