Eagles swoop on Irish recruit after impressive testing
Medium defender joins West Coast as rookie after strong combine
WEST Coast has made an early off-season move, signing Irishman Paddy Brophy to a two-year rookie contract.
Brophy is a dashing defender standing at 189cm and 84kg. His speed and agility stood out at the European AFL Combine held in Dublin this year and he dominated a match against the Australian Under 18s in London in April gathering 26 disposals and five clearances for the European Legion.
The 20-year-old from County Kildare is currently in Melbourne participating the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
But Brophy spent three days in Perth last week visiting with West Coast ahead of signing as the club's first-ever international rookie.
He impressed on day three of the draft combine, finishing equal first in the 'clean hands' test with a score of 26 out of 30. He also finished equal third in the goalkicking test, posting 4.1 from his five shots.
The Irishman becomes the second player to be placed on the Eagles' rookie B list after former baseballer Corey Adamson joined the club in August.
Adamson trained with West Coast at the back end of the season after ending his baseball career in the US.
Draft guru Cal Twomey teams up with Nat Edwards and Riley Beveridge to unpack all the winners and surprises from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft
03:29
Roos explain shock pick swap, praise O’Sullivan
North Melbourne’s Will Thursfield offers insight into his club’s bold trade with Richmond and explains why No.2 pick Finn O’Sullivan is one to watch for fans
06:37
Tigers’ draft jackpot: What’s in store for 2025
Richmond’s Blair Hartley unpacks his club’s impressive draft haul and weighs in on No.1 pick Sam Lalor’s round one hopes
02:34
Jack Whitlock ditches graduation to get drafted
Key forward Jack Whitlock shares his excitement on Draft Night Live after skipping his year 12 graduation to join the Power at pick 33