WEST Coast has boosted its forward stocks less than a month out from round one, signing former Cat Jamaine Jones and WAFL product Nic Reid to rookie deals.
Both have been signed under the Pre-season Supplemental Selection Period rules that allow clubs with space on their lists to sign rookie players between December 1 and March 15.
Jones, 21, has spent the past fortnight training with the Eagles and sealed his new footballing home after shining in a practice match for West Coast's WAFL side against Swan Districts last week.
He was drafted by the Cats at No.48 in the 2017 NAB AFL Rookie Draft and made his AFL debut in round 10, 2018 against Carlton, playing a total of seven games and kicking four goal before being delisted at the end of 2019.
Eagles list manager Darren Glass said Jones' speed and power made him an attractive prospect.
"He loves to chase and tackle, and we know how important the forward pressure is," Glass said.
"We think he can contribute strongly to our list this year and beyond."
Reid, 24, spent the 2019 season with West Coast's WAFL side, booting 23 goals in 15 games in his first year at state-league level.
Eagles list manager Darren Glass described Reid as "a very powerful athlete".
"He's a great story. He was playing amateur football only two years ago and then made a commitment to try and make it to AFL, and he's realised that dream. We're really glad to give him that opportunity," Glass said.
The Eagles' forward depth took a hit late last season when Willie Rioli was charged with substituting urine with another substance during a routine Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority test in August.
If found guilty, Rioli faces a ban of up to four years.
West Coast still has room to sign one more player after 2018 premiership forward Daniel Venables' decision to sit out the 2020 season as he deals with the ongoing effects of concussion.
