Ginbey begins life as an Eagle

West Coast draftee Reuben Ginbey says he’s excited to get to work after being taken by the Eagles.

The Dunsborough product won’t go too far from home to start his AFL career after being selected with pick 9 in last night’s draft.

“I was so happy when my name got called out at the Eagles,” Ginbey told Sports Breakfast.

“It was a bit up in the air at the start of the draft, there was a few teams earlier on that were looking at me, but when I got through those and the Eagles had their pick, I had a bit of hope that I could end up there, and when they finally read out my name, I couldn’t be happier to be staying home and playing footy for the Eagles.

“Mum was super happy to be staying home, I could see that on her face, so the whole family’s wrapped and it couldn’t have worked out better for them and me.”

Having represented East Perth in WAFL competitions and Wesley College in PSA football, the 18 year old was full of praise for the teams who helped his development to this point.

“East Perth has been massive for me,” he said.

“To get a league preseason and to be able to train with the older boys and bigger bodies early was great for my development, and to debut in round one with the league team was an honour and a privilege to be able to play in that.

“I started footy for the Dunsborough Sharks and played with them from year three to year ten, so I’ve got to give a lot of credit to those guys for starting out and sparking my love for footy.”

Ginbey was stoked for fellow WA product Elijah Hewett, who the Eagles selected with pick 14.

“When I heard Elijah’s name get called out a few picks after mine, that was awesome,” he said.

“To be sharing the same colours with Elijah, which we also did this year for the state team, I can’t wait to keep building my relationship with him and keep working with him, hopefully for the long future.”

After being in Melbourne for the draft last night, the 188cm midfielder will have a quick pit stop at home before starting preseason training at Lathlain on Thursday.

IMAGE: AFL Photos.