Discussion Re-Signings, Retirements, Delistings, Trade & Drafting
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AFL trades 2020: Alex Witherden says he immediately fell for West Coast after being asked to look around
Alex Witherden is happy to be at West Coast after being traded by Brisbane.
West Coast recruit Alex Witherden has revealed his surprise when Brisbane coach Chris Fagan suggested he look for a new home, before a zoom meeting with the Eagles convinced him to move to Perth.
Witherden, 22, became an Eagle on the final day of the trade period after West Coast handed the Lions pick 58 plus their future third-round pick, getting their man and pick 86 in return.
The rebounding defender played 59 games in four seasons for Brisbane after being taken with pick 23 in the 2016 national draft.
“It happened all pretty quick. At the end of the season I just thought I’d be at Brisbane for the next two years,” Witherden said.
“Chris Fagan, who I really rate and respect as a person and a football coach, sort of said to me ‘look, we really like you and love you, but there’s no guarantees in the future and there’s a few other guys we’re looking to develop. So if something comes up then let us know’.
“And until that point I hadn’t really considered leaving. They weren’t saying ‘you have to go’ or ‘we want you to leave’.”
Witherden said a zoom meeting with Eagles coach Adam Simpson, football operations manager Craig Vozzo and list manager Darren Glass before the trade period immediately convinced him he had found his new home.
“From that point on we spoke to a few clubs and we came across West Coast … and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the three of them,” he said.
“I got off the phone and spoke to my manager and said ‘bloody hell, this actually seems like a really good option. I think I might want to move to Perth’.
Witherden said Adam Simpson was part of one of the most impressive football presentations he’d seen.
“I think everything about the move appealed. They didn’t blow smoke up my arse at all, is was nothing like that.
“But it was one of the best interviews I’ve been involved with. It’s probably as impressive display or interview that I’ve ever come across and I’ve probably been through a hundred of them through my time.”
Witherden said he hoped to force his way into the West Coast backline for round one next season.
He nominated his strengths as his kicking and ability to read the play, and said he was still working on the defensive side of his game.
“They said that they see me as a part of their next 8-10 years,” Witherden said.
“It’s not about getting there and dominating straight away. It’s about fitting into the West Coast way.
“Their sort of game style, they’re always looking for half-backs that can use the ball and help set up the play.
Witherden is expected to slot into the Eagles’ back six.
“So I think if I can make a good impression over the next five months, then hopefully I can break into the team and stay in the team.”
Glass said Witherden had “plenty of growth ahead of him”.
“He is an excellent character who will fit in well with our group and his foot skills make him a valuable acquisition for us,” he said.
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Alex Witherden is happy to be at West Coast after being traded by Brisbane.
West Coast recruit Alex Witherden has revealed his surprise when Brisbane coach Chris Fagan suggested he look for a new home, before a zoom meeting with the Eagles convinced him to move to Perth.
Witherden, 22, became an Eagle on the final day of the trade period after West Coast handed the Lions pick 58 plus their future third-round pick, getting their man and pick 86 in return.
The rebounding defender played 59 games in four seasons for Brisbane after being taken with pick 23 in the 2016 national draft.
“It happened all pretty quick. At the end of the season I just thought I’d be at Brisbane for the next two years,” Witherden said.
“Chris Fagan, who I really rate and respect as a person and a football coach, sort of said to me ‘look, we really like you and love you, but there’s no guarantees in the future and there’s a few other guys we’re looking to develop. So if something comes up then let us know’.
“And until that point I hadn’t really considered leaving. They weren’t saying ‘you have to go’ or ‘we want you to leave’.”
Witherden said a zoom meeting with Eagles coach Adam Simpson, football operations manager Craig Vozzo and list manager Darren Glass before the trade period immediately convinced him he had found his new home.
“From that point on we spoke to a few clubs and we came across West Coast … and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the three of them,” he said.
“I got off the phone and spoke to my manager and said ‘bloody hell, this actually seems like a really good option. I think I might want to move to Perth’.
Witherden said Adam Simpson was part of one of the most impressive football presentations he’d seen.
“I think everything about the move appealed. They didn’t blow smoke up my arse at all, is was nothing like that.
“But it was one of the best interviews I’ve been involved with. It’s probably as impressive display or interview that I’ve ever come across and I’ve probably been through a hundred of them through my time.”
Witherden said he hoped to force his way into the West Coast backline for round one next season.
He nominated his strengths as his kicking and ability to read the play, and said he was still working on the defensive side of his game.
“They said that they see me as a part of their next 8-10 years,” Witherden said.
“It’s not about getting there and dominating straight away. It’s about fitting into the West Coast way.
“Their sort of game style, they’re always looking for half-backs that can use the ball and help set up the play.
Witherden is expected to slot into the Eagles’ back six.
“So I think if I can make a good impression over the next five months, then hopefully I can break into the team and stay in the team.”
Glass said Witherden had “plenty of growth ahead of him”.
“He is an excellent character who will fit in well with our group and his foot skills make him a valuable acquisition for us,” he said.
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