TOP TALENT: West Coast coach John Worsfold says recruit Brandt Colledge is ready to play next season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Herald Sun
WEST Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold believes teenage forward Brant Colledge is capable of making his debut next season.
The Eagles tracked the 192cm utility throughout the year before pouncing with their first selection at pick No.45 in Thursday's national draft.
Fellow Perth product Fraser McInnes, picked up in last year's national draft, appears set to be the prime beneficiary of more opportunity in the wake of Quinten Lynch's departure to Collingwood.
But Worsfold predicted 18-year-old Colledge, whose colts career with the Demons has been limited by a serious ankle injury, would be ready to play next season if the chance presented.
McInnes - who is yet to debut - and Colledge are friends and are likely to jostle for several years for a role in the West Coast forward line supporting key weapons Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling.
"The (recruiting) boys say Colledge is a really powerful boy, he could play next year physically. They're confident with that," Worsfold said.
"I always say you really don't know that until you get to about March and you have a look at how they've handled the pre-season workload and where they sit."
Colledge, who is studying a law degree, said he was excited by the challenge of trying to break into the Eagles' formidable forward line.
"I think I'm just a committed, competitive guy and if I can bring some good intangibles and attributes to the club like that I think it would be really good," he said.
"There's a lot of good young talent at the Eagles that will hopefully push for a premiership in the near future. Hopefully I can learn from them and be a part of some success in the future."
Worsfold said the selection of Mark Hutchings, the club's final pick at No.60, was a reward for the 21-year-old's professionalism and determination.
Hutchings, a former captain of the WA under-18 team, spent one season on St Kilda's rookie list in 2010 before returning to Perth and enjoying two superb seasons with West Perth.
"There's no doubt his professionalism, his hard work and his attitude to want to get the best out of himself is a real strength of his, and that's contributed to him having such a good year," Worsfold said.
"Some kids get disappointed and don't put as much into their footy if they're overlooked in a couple of drafts, but he's been motivated to keep doing the work and that's a great sign."
Hutchings finished second to Claremont's Kane Mitchell in last season's Sandover Medal despite earning a whopping 51 votes.
"He got tagged pretty much all year but still had a very good season," Worsfold said.
"He's just a real hard-working, accumulator of the footy and he can play at half-forward. We're really excited for what he adds to the group."
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