The Soaring

The West Coast Eagles have added 5 players to their list today at the 2006 AFL NAB National Draft.

Here is how the Eagles selected:

• #16 - Mitchell Brown (Nth Ballarat) H: 193.3, W: 89.8
  Key Position Player, forward or back, who is good overhead and in contested situations. Comes from a Basketball background. His twin was selected by Collingwood at #10. Excellent endurance.
• #29 - Eric MacKenzie (Claremont) H: 195.8, W: 91.4
  Played at FB / CHB in the WA 18s, but also played forward for Claremont. Is a player with good run and athleticism.
• #43 - Tim Houlihan (Nth Ballarat) H: 189.4, W: 73.5
  Bottom age defender. Posted outstanding running results at Draft camp in the Beep (15.4) and 20m sprint plus posted the best 3km time. Like MacKenzie a AIS/AFL academy grad.
• #50 - Will Schofield (Geelong Falcons) H: 194.9, W: 81.9
  Tall athletic utility player. Bottom age.
• #80 - James Thomson (Claremont) H: 194.1, W: 81
  Yet more height and athleticism. Has played primarily as a key defender. Missed the 18s due to injury. Another good running, rebounding player. Thomson is son of Perth 9’s Michael “Thommo” Thomson.

If height was a deficiency on our list before the draft, I’d hazard to guess it isn’t now. Not that all these players will be ready in the first year. But what is noticeable is versatility (tall or mid, forward or back) and running ability were greatly valued by the club in these selections.

Related:
> AFL.com.au draft tracker
> The West: How West Coast… fared.