9 notes from 4 press conferences
a new coach wanted to go in a different direction... I can respect the decision whilst I might not understand.
Jack Viney on Melbourne letting him go: "a new coach wanted to go in a different direction... I can respect the decision whilst I might not understand." He's "really confident in my body" after a disrupted year, and spoke to Essendon, but the Eagles were his first choice.
We've still got some targets over the next 12 months, 24 months, 36 months.
West Coast kept picks to chase a second top draft selection during peak trading, list boss Matt Clarke said. More premiership players like Jack Viney and Trent Rivers are the aim: "We've still got some targets over the next 12 months, 24 months, 36 months."
A couple of those veterans may end up playing some other roles through there as we continue to expose those guys.
West Coast's Jack Viney trade with Melbourne is done, though Matt Clarke said it "went along a lot longer than what we wanted". With Jeremy McGovern and Jamie Cripps retired, Viney adds experience, and his "physicality and his pressure" will back Harley Reid's young midfield.
Trent Rivers, 25, joins West Coast as a free agent, targeted as a mid-age player for a list that ended the season with 21 under-21s. Matt Clarke said he's durable and has "at least 5, 6, 7 years of really good footy" ahead. Next: pick 3, and list decisions to open up picks.
Bo Allan has "great scope" to go through West Coast's midfield, Matt Clarke said, as young players get more time there around Harley Reid. "A couple of those veterans may end up playing some other roles through there as we continue to expose those guys."
Bobby Hill is in the mix for West Coast's new Category B First Nations rookie spot. Matt Clarke: "he'll be just another one of those guys that we'll assess." On Trent Rivers' mate Chad Warner: "Chad's very happy where he is in Sydney... we'll continue to assess him."
So it'll be a wait through the trade period for those guys.
Jack Viney to West Coast is "pretty close" but "nothing locked away as yet", Matt Clarke said. Melbourne still has to agree, and he wants it done early in the trade period's final five days. The pitch: "help us on field, but also accelerate the development of our young guys".
Trent Rivers "still hasn't indicated he actually wants to make that move" to West Coast, Matt Clarke said, and the Eagles haven't had strong dialogue with Melbourne. Clarke called it separate from the Viney deal; Rivers' age profile suits the club, but there's a bit to play out.
Out-of-contract Jack Williams and Clay Hall will have to wait until after the trade period, when West Coast assesses its list spots, Matt Clarke said. He admitted the uncertainty is hard on them and their families: "So it'll be a wait through the trade period for those guys."