ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Adam Simpson, Senior Coach of the Eagles during the 2022 AFL Round 06 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on April 23, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)
Eagle-eyed: Well-known icon’s greatest recruitment appeals
Throughout Rohan O’Brien’s tenure with the Eagles, Nathan Schmook examines twelve of the team’s greatest and most significant choices.
After 33 years working in the club’s talent spotting department, including as national recruiting manager and, most recently, list manager, Rohan O’Brien announced his departure from West Coast on Tuesday.
The well-liked veteran, who joined the Eagles in 1990 and has participated in all four of the team’s premierships, has had a prosperous career.
His role in the recent choice to hold the first pick and draft young star Harley Reid may prove to be significant, but he has been involved in several other key decisions that have demonstrated his aptitude for identifying talent, both in his own team and in the recruitment and list bosses he works with.
Like many recruiters, O’Brien will depart the team feeling sorry for the players he could have chosen, the transactions that the West Coast was left out of, and the players he missed. Yet the triumphs have contributed to the club flags’ delivery.
These are 12 of the Eagles’ best and most significant decisions made throughout O’Brien’s tenure, starting with the team’s most recent list moves as they begin a rebuild.
Oscar Allen, the No. 21 pick in 2017
Allen, the team’s star forward and co-captain, is essential to the Eagles’ upcoming winning season since he is a symbol of the future. The 24-year-old, one of the most gifted main attackers in the league, scored 53 goals for a 2023 club that took home the wooden spoon and was chosen for the All-Australian team. If an opponent had swooped in, the Eagles’ decision to select Jarrod Brander with pick No. 13 instead of waiting for Allen might have been a mistake. But they didn’t, and in addition to Liam Duggan, the Eagles now have their next captain.
Oscar Allen, the No. 21 pick in 2017
Allen, the team’s star forward and co-captain, is essential to the Eagles’ upcoming winning season since he is a symbol of the future. The 24-year-old, one of the most gifted main attackers in the league, scored 53 goals for a 2023 club that took home the wooden spoon and was chosen for the All-Australian team. If an opponent had swooped in, the Eagles’ decision to select Jarrod Brander with pick No. 13 instead of waiting for Allen might have been a mistake. But they didn’t, and in addition to Liam Duggan, the Eagles now have their next captain.
Harley Reid, first choice in 2023
Many predicted that the Eagles would pull off the same ruse in 2023, giving up Reid’s rights in return for a choice that would get the services of another young player and local defender Daniel Curtin. Nevertheless, O’Brien remained steadfast in his declaration that the Eagles would retain the pick, and he stuck to his word in spite of significant bids from Melbourne and North Melbourne. The Eagles would have no regrets because of the excitement Reid has already brought to the team.
Pick No. 13 for Shannon Hurn in 2005
Thirteen years ago, O’Brien and the Eagles looked to South Australian Hurn to ensure a future premiership captain. Hurn turned out to be the first important player in the Eagles’ 2018 roster. Hurn established a legacy at West Coast with the high standards he set for consistency and preparedness throughout his career. His performances as a rock in defense were essential throughout a winning run.
Pick No. 13 for Shannon Hurn in 2005
Thirteen years ago, O’Brien and the Eagles looked to South Australian Hurn to ensure a future premiership captain. Hurn turned out to be the first important player in the Eagles’ 2018 roster. Hurn established a legacy at West Coast with the high standards he set for consistency and preparedness throughout his career. His performances as a rock in defense were essential throughout a winning run.
2011 Rookie Draft choice No. 44, Jeremy McGovern
Snagged as a rookie via Albany, McGovern was one of the Eagles’ greatest deals during O’Brien’s tenure in the recruiting office. He was from Claremont. He was also a slow burner, having been on the rookie list for three years before being promoted and receiving a break because the team gave him time to establish himself. In 2018, on the day of the Grand Final, he returned the favor.
Tom Barrass, the 2013 No. 43 pick who was McGovern’s backup in the crucial defensive posts and a 2018 premiership player, has emerged as one of the AFL’s top key defenders despite being selected later. He has played 132 games, is considered the group’s spiritual leader, and will serve as vice captain in 2024. He still has time to contribute to the Eagles’ next championship run.
Tom Barrass, the 2013 No. 43 pick who was McGovern’s backup in the crucial defensive posts and a 2018 premiership player, has emerged as one of the AFL’s top key defenders despite being selected later. He has played 132 games, is considered the group’s spiritual leader, and will serve as vice captain in 2024. He still has time to contribute to the Eagles’ next championship run.
2001’s No. 3 pick, Chris Judd
The highly coveted choice brought West Coast more benefits than it could have ever imagined, as Judd became an immediate celebrity, winning the Brownlow Medal, and captaining the premiership in just his first five seasons. After giving the Eagles some of his most impressive football, Carlton looked for a trade, and the Eagles acquired Josh Kennedy in exchange. Kennedy became the team’s all-time top goalkicker and was essential to their subsequent triumph in 2018.
Zone selection by Glen Jakovich, 1990
When the Eagles joined the League, list building concessions helped shape the basis of their early championship teams; however, Jakovich joined the team a little later, just as O’Brien was beginning his career there. He is regarded as one of the club’s greatest defenders and was a young player representative in the 1992 and 1994 flags.
