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Brisbane Lions defender Alex Witherden has joined the West Coast Eagles on the final day of the 2020 AFL trade period, as part of a deal between the two clubs on Thursday.
The 22 year old, who played 59 games across four seasons with the Lions joins the Eagles in exchange for pick 58 in this year's draft, as well as their future third round selection.
Brisbane also gave up pick 86 in the 2020 draft as part of the trade, Witherden only able to play six games this season as he fell back in the pecking order of running backmen at the Lions.
Witherden joins the club on a two year deal, set to complement a back six that already has recent All-Australian players Shannon Hurn, Brad Shepperd and Jeremy McGovern.
West Coast list manager Darren Glass was delighted Witherden agreed to relocate across the country to become part of the club.
“Alex was contracted for two more seasons in Brisbane and had the option to stay but we are thrilled he wanted to join our club,” Glass said.
“He is an excellent character who will fit in well with our group and his foot skills make him a valuable acquisition for us.
“At just 22, Alex has plenty of growth ahead of him which is exciting. He is in the age bracket where he can grow and develop alongside some of our emerging mid-sized defenders like Liam Duggan, Jackson Nelson, Tom Cole and Josh Rotham in years to come.
“We look forward to welcoming Alex and his partner Grace to the club”.
He becomes the second player to join West Coast in the trade period, after Zac Langdon added speed to the side's forward line in crossing from Greater Western Sydney last week.
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