The West Coast Eagles are preparing to throw former Adelaide midfielder Harry Schoenberg an AFL lifeline, with the club expected to select him in next week's rookie draft.
From Delisted Crow to Eagle Opportunity
Harry Schoenberg, the 22-year-old midfielder delisted by Adelaide last month, appears set to continue his AFL career in Western Australia. The Eagles have shown strong interest in the South Australian-born player and are likely to use one of their rookie list spots to secure his services when the draft takes place on Wednesday.
Schoenberg played 38 games for the Crows after being selected with pick 24 in the 2019 national draft. Despite showing promising signs during his time at Adelaide, the club made the difficult decision to delist him at the end of the 2023 season, opening the door for West Coast to swoop in.
Addressing Midfield Depth Concerns
West Coast's interest in Schoenberg comes as the club looks to bolster its midfield options following a challenging season. The Eagles currently hold picks 1, 23, and 36 in the rookie draft, giving them multiple opportunities to add depth to their playing list.
Club officials have been impressed with Schoenberg's attributes and believe he could develop into a valuable contributor at AFL level. His potential recruitment follows West Coast's earlier moves in the national draft, where they selected Harley Reid with the prized number one pick and added small forward Archer Reid with selection 49.
The Eagles have been actively reshaping their list during the off-season, having already delisted several players including Greg Clark, Luke Foley, and Isiah Winder. The potential addition of Schoenberg represents another strategic move as the club looks to rebuild following their difficult 2023 campaign.
Proven Talent Seeking Fresh Start
During his time with Adelaide, Schoenberg demonstrated his capability at the AFL level, particularly during the 2022 season when he played 16 games and averaged 17.4 disposals. His career-best performance came against West Coast in round 18, 2022, when he collected 28 disposals and kicked a goal.
The midfielder's strength in contested situations and clearance work could provide valuable support to West Coast's engine room. At 181cm and 84kg, Schoenberg brings both physical presence and AFL experience that could prove valuable to a developing Eagles midfield group.
West Coast's list manager Rohan O'Brien and the club's recruiting team have been carefully assessing their options ahead of the rookie draft, with Schoenberg emerging as a prime candidate to receive another opportunity at the highest level.
If selected, Schoenberg would join a West Coast midfield that includes established stars like Tim Kelly and Elliot Yeo, while also providing support for the club's younger developing talents. The move represents low-risk, high-reward potential for an Eagles side looking to accelerate their rebuild.
The rookie draft will take place on Wednesday, December 1, when West Coast's intentions regarding Schoenberg are expected to be confirmed. Eagles fans will be watching closely to see if the former Crow can earn his chance to soar in blue and gold.
