Done deal: West Coast Eagles signed a talented player from.

admin | February 2, 2024 | West Coast Eagles | No Comments

Eagles make a big free agency grab in Jayden Hunt.

Demons speedster Jayden Hunt was signed by West Coast to a three-year contract after the Victorian was taken advantage of in a free agency swoop.

The 27-year-old fulfilled the requirements to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2022 season after playing for the Red and Blue for nine seasons.

Hunt’s time with Melbourne came to an end on Monday when the Eagles filed the necessary paperwork to formally bring the speedy utility across the Nullarbor, capping his career at 114 games.

Pick 52 will be given to Melbourne in exchange for Hunt’s services.

Speaking after filing documentation with the AFL House, Tim Lamb, the manager of the Demons list, praised and thanked Hunt for his work over the past nearly ten years.

“Over an extended duration, Jayden has been a fantastic asset to our team,” stated Lamb.

“He was unfortunate to lose out on the 2021 premiership after suffering an ankle injury in Round 21 of that year. He played a significant role for us at half-back over the last couple of years.”

“We wish him all the best in his next chapter and are thrilled for him that he has the chance to continue his career at West Coast.”

Conversely, West Coast’s head of recruiting Rohan O’Brien said the team was thrilled to have Hunt on board to aid in the rebuild.

“We’re overjoyed that Jayden chose to sign with our team as a free agent,” O’Brien exclaimed.

“We think he possesses certain qualities that will enhance our roster, and we’re excited to have him join the guys as preseason gets underway.”

Capable of playing on both sides of the court, the Sandringham Dragons product will give Adam Simpson’s team offensive punch. Since making their debut in 2016, they have averaged 1.8 rebound 50s and 2.7 inside 50s.

Hunt has played forward off the ball at times during his time as a Demon, however he is frequently utilized off half-back by both Simon Goodwin and Paul Roos. Hunt has 43 majors in his Demon career.

Hunt laced the boots 20 times during Melbourne’s premiership season, a number he mirrored during his 2022 campaign, despite not being able to experience the ultimate success during their drought-breaking 2021 flag.

Melbourne currently has Picks 33, 42, 51, 52, 64, 69, and 87 in preparation for the National Draft in November.

Hawk Brockman, following Hawthorn’s pick-one play, is heading west to the Eagles.

The Hawthorn forward Tyler Brockman has agreed to a contract with the West Coast clubs that will let him to go back to his native state of Western Australia.

For the uncontracted Brockman, the Eagles sent the Hawks picks 44 and 63, which is the same as selection 38 on the draft value index. The agreement was verified to this masthead by two reliable people who were involved in the negotiations.

Hawthorn made an ineffective attempt to include Brockman in a trade that included the Hawks’ No. 4 pick this year and their 2024 first-round pick in order to obtain West Coast’s pick one, but the Eagles turned it down.

Before Wednesday night’s trade period deadline, list management insiders from multiple clubs anticipate West Coast will not determine whether to “split” the No. 1 choice. On Monday, October 23, there will be a further chance for choice swaps, and clubs may also exchange selections while the draft is underway.

If the Eagles are willing to trade the first pick, North Melbourne is generally considered the favorite because they have five picks inside the top 20, including Nos. 2 and 3.The general consensus for this year’s crop’s best potential is gun youngster Harley Reid.

Speedy West Coast Eagles recruit Jayden Hunt 'firmly in the frame' to earn call-up

Without having to give up anything, West Coast could have snuck Brockman into the pre-season draft; instead, they increased their offer from 44 on their own, which Hawthorn had already rejected.

In the days leading up to Lachie Schultz’s departure to premiers Collingwood, Fremantle attempted to persuade Brockman to sign a four-year contract with them in lieu of Schultz, but he was emphatic about wanting to play for the Eagles.

Manager of the West Coast list Rohan O’Brien was ecstatic to sign Brockman, a Subiaco product, who agreed to a three-year contract to play with close friend Liam Ryan. For familial reasons, Brockman was eager to return to Perth with his partner and twin daughters.