SHARROD Wellingham's ability to discover the consistency that eluded him in his career with Collingwood will ultimately determine which club emerges as the 'winner' from his trade to West Coast, Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh says.
On Tuesday night, Collingwood confirmed it had accepted West Coast's first-round draft pick, No.17, for Wellingham.
The midfielder played 92 games for Collingwood after debuting in round six, 2008, and was a member of the Magpies' 2010 premiership team and their losing 2011 Grand Final team.
Walsh told 3AW he thought pick No.17 was "pretty fair compensation" in a draft that was not expected to be a "vintage" one.
"Sharrod as a young player you would think may improve and could improve," Walsh said.
"He's got time to improve. His record at AFL level has been one of a handy player who hasn't scaled heights in terms of club best and fairests and who has played extremely good individual games and patches of seasons.
"But in terms of his consistency [he] probably hasn't got there yet.
"Now the $64,000 question is: Will he get there ever?
"I don't know and that's the thing I suppose where we say [pick] 17 will either look very good or very poor in one, two or three years' time."
West Coast list manager Craig Vozzo denied the Eagles had paid too much for Wellingham.
"We're pretty comfortable with the deal, we identified he'd be a player that would improve us," Vozzo told SEN.
"In this business sometimes acting decisively gets the job done."
In a statement released by West Coast, Wellingham said his decision was strongly influenced by the burgeoning talent on the Eagles' list.
"Playing against them [at the Pies], we had enormous respect for West Coast, and I believe they have a young list capable of winning a premiership in the next few years," Wellingham said.
"I am very appreciative of the opportunities that Collingwood gave me, I will always have some very good friends there, but it is now time to move on.
Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine said the club wished the 24-year-old well.
"He played some good football for the club and shared in a premiership, which is a fine achievement," Hine said.
"Equally, we're very pleased to have a stronger presence in the national draft.
"It's been some time since we've had this sort of hand to work with."
Collingwood now has picks 17 and 18 in the first round of this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Wellingham was drafted from WAFL club Perth with pick No. 10 in the 2007 Rookie Draft. He recently declared a desire to return to his home state.
Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
