WEST Coast assistant coach Brady Rawlings has taken over as the Eagles' new list manager as part of a restructure of the club's football department.
Rawlings has assumed list management duties effective immediately, with former list manager Adrian Battiston moving to a scouting role.
Rawlings has experience in recruiting, having spent two years as a senior recruiter and induction coach at North Melbourne before joining the Eagles as an assistant when close friend Adam Simpson took over as senior coach at the end of 2013.
"Before coming to Perth to support Adam and the other coaches, I was involved in recruiting at North Melbourne and that is where my passion lies," Rawlings told the Eagles' website.
"I look forward to working with the recruiting team, coaches and senior football staff as we work towards building a list that can achieve sustained success and, ultimately, the club’s fourth premiership."
Rawlings' first major task is to look at bolstering the Eagles' ruck stocks for 2017.
Nic Naitanui is set to miss most of the year after rupturing his ACL, while Scott Lycett's pre-season will be severely hampered as he recovers from knee surgery.
Jonathan Giles is the only other 200cm-plus ruckman on the list, and there has been speculation that the Eagles may look at Drew Petrie, who has not been offered a new contract by North Melbourne.
With Rawlings stepping out of the midfield coach's role the Eagles will need to find a new assistant coach.
Rawlings has had a significant impact on some of the Eagles' developing midfielders during his time in the role.
He has been a particularly influential figure for Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff in helping them deal with opposition run-with players.
The two have become elite midfielders in the competition in the last two seasons, with both making the All Australian 40-man squad this season.
Gaff was named All Australian and won the Eagles' best and fairest last year while Shuey is a big chance to win the club champion award this year.
More to come
