Great Southern prospects take part in West Coast Eagles Talent Search in Denmark

The West Coast Eagles held an AFLW regional talent search in Denmark last week in a bid to unearth the next star from the Great Southern.

West Coast travelled to five regions around WA as part of the initiative, giving prospective players the opportunity to show off their talent to coaches and staff.

The club held their Great Southern talent search at McLean Park last Tuesday with Albany local and West Coast defender Sophie McDonald also making the trip down to offer her insights and encouragement.

As a teenager McDonald was identified at a Talent Search Day in Albany in 2018 and was selected with West Coast’s 39th pick in the 2019 national draft.

The 22-year-old recently finished in the top 10 for West Coast’s Club Champion Awards.

West Coast Eagles Great Southern community co-ordinator Brad Nisbett said the event provided a great opportunity for players of all skill levels to show their talent.

“It’s similar to what they do in the AFL draft combine, we run some sprint work, agility, skill work and then gameplay along with some vertical jump running,” he said.

“The whole point of it is to try and unearth some girls that show a bit of talent and if they are of age (15-30 years), they’ll be approached.

“I don’t think Sophie (McDonald) had played much football previously which is sort of the whole point of running it.

“Even if you haven’t played much before but you have some athletic ability, that’s something they really look for.

“It also gives a lot of the other girls from down here a chance for some exposure that they might not get otherwise.”