Eagles continue overhaul with key man to walk

The West Coast Eagles have farewelled another key club big wig, with recruiter Rohan O'Brien standing down after 33 years of service.

O'Brien follows CEO Trevor Nisbett in exiting the club after a tumultuous 2023 season saw the club finish last on the AFL ladder, headlined by a 171-point annihilation from Sydney in June.

The recruiter was part of the team that remained solid on retaining pick one in the 2023 draft, which the Eagles then used to select highly-touted midfielder Harley Reid.

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O'Brien expressed his gratitude to the club, saying it is the "right time" for him to step away, with the Eagles now in a strong position, bolstered with fantastic young talent that will lead the club forward.

"With the recent draft completed I believe it is the right time to make this call," O'Brien said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Rohan OBrien, Recruiting and List Manager of the Eagles speaks with media during the 2023 AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"For the last three years we have focused on attracting the best young talent as we begin to build our list and I believe we are at an exciting juncture.

"We are in the process of a significant transition as we now have one of the youngest lists in the competition and I look forward to seeing the club rise.

He reflected on his impact on the club, with the expectation that West Coast will be climbing the ladder in no time.

"It has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be involved in the club and I would like to thank all of the people I have worked so closely with in the recruiting area, the respective General Managers of Football and staff across the club for that I have worked alongside for the last 33 years," O'Brien said.

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O'Brien sent special thanks to Nisbett, whom he worked alongside for a number of years, particularly after he stepped into the recruitment role in 2021.

"I would particularly like to acknowledge the outstanding and unwavering support I have received from Chief Executive Trevor Nisbett over the journey and I look forward to watching the club climb back up the ladder," O'Brien said.

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