WEST Coast recruit Nathan Vardy has had a challenging introduction to life as an Eagle, hitting the running track on a warm Perth morning for his first session with his new teammates.
The 199cm former Cat spent most of Wednesday's session chasing skipper Shannon Hurn, Matt Priddis, Sam Butler and Jack Redden – who are back training earlier than required - during a tough running block at Wembley Sports Park.
Vardy was recruited during the NAB AFL Trade Period to help cover for injured ruckmen Nic Naitanui (ACL reconstruction) and Scott Lycett (PCL) next season.
The talented 25-year-old only managed 25 games in seven seasons at Geelong due to his own injury battles, but has arrived in Perth ready to go for pre-season and is aiming to join the main group next week.
"It's been well noted the depletion in our ruck stocks over the back end of last year," senior assistant Justin Longmuir said.
"It's good to get a bit of depth in, he looks really fit and looks really eager and keen to get stuck in, so it's good signs early.
"He only rocked into town two days ago and the fitness staff are really happy with where he's at, but we've got to be cautious as well, he's had a history of injury."
Longmuir was confident Vardy could fill a hole on the Eagles' list playing as a forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck – similar to another potential recruit, Drew Petrie.
The 34-year-old North Melbourne veteran has been strongly linked to continuing his career at West Coast via the upcoming rookie draft.
"He's a seasoned campaigner and he would add depth to our list, but people in higher spots than me make those calls," Longmuir said.
West Coast has loaded up with mature-age players from rival clubs in the past two off-seasons, and Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell is set to start the next chapter of his storied career in Perth on Monday.
Fellow midfielders Jack Redden and Lewis Jetta struggled in their first seasons in Perth in 2016, but Longmuir expected both would have bigger impacts next year.
"(Redden's) a proven, real top-line midfielder. He wins the footy, he puts a lot of pressure on and for whatever reason last year he didn't quite reach those standards," Longmuir said.
"But first year at a footy club can be often quite difficult and Lewis Jetta was probably in the same boat.
"All you can judge them on this time of year is their attitude and that's been first class.
"(Redden's) definitely in a better place than what he was when he came to us, he missed all of pre-season last year with an (abdominal) injury and he's going to be running our 2km time trial next week and hitting the ground running.
"So that's a good sign."
