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West Coast draftee Clay Hall says Eagles fans can expect a tough and committed player when he pulls on the blue and gold.
The Eagles swooped on the Peel Thunder product with their third selection of the draft at pick 38, further bolstering a young midfield that includes number one selection Harley Reid and 2022 debutants Reuben Ginbey and Elijah Hewett.
Hall told Sports Breakfast West Coast star Tim Kelly was one of his main role models.
“I like to crack in on the inside, do a bit of contested work in there to win my own ball,” Hall said.
“I also like to spread on the outside … I have a bit of inside-outside balance.
“Everyone from the Eagles has messaged me already, which has been awesome.”
Hall has a family connection to the Eagles, with his father Derek playing two games for the club in 1993.
The 18-year-old was linked to his father’s club in the lead-in to the draft, but he said he had no definite indications on where he would be heading.
“I really had to keep an open mind, I never knew what was going to happen,” he said.
“It was always a possibility that it could’ve been the Eagles, but it also could’ve been a few clubs over east.
“I wasn’t really 100 per cent sure until my name got read out.”
As well as representing WA in the national under-18 championships, Hall played WAFL league football for the Thunder this season, averaging 18.6 disposals and 3.1 tackles across nine games
Hall said he had taken plenty from his experiences playing against grown men.
“I think it set me up quite well,” he said.
“I did a whole preseason and I [was] there all year learning off all the mature players and the coaches.
“The nine games has got me used to the bigger bodies that I’ll be going up against now.”
As well as Reid and Hall, the Eagles also picked up a pair of Victorians, grabbing ruck-forward Archer Reid at pick 30 and midfielder Harvey Johnston at pick 49.
IMAGE: The West Australian