Josh Lindsay will head west after being chosen by West Coast at pick 19 in Wednesday night’s AFL draft.
The Newtown & Chilwell product was regarded as one of the best kicks in the talent pool and the Eagles swooped on the classy Geelong Falcons left-footer in the first round.
Lindsay, from Geelong Grammar, said he was excited to make the move from Geelong to Perth, but initially wasn’t sure where he would be drafted to.
“I had a few little inkings sort of around that mark, but it was sort of just wait and see,” he said on Thursday morning after the draft.
“When they read my name out, it was special, it was an incredible moment. I’ve always dreamt of it ever since I was a young kid…so to get my name read out, it’s an absolute dream and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter was the first to contact Lindsay after his name was read out.
“He FaceTimed me probably two minutes after I got picked up…and I had my West Coast jersey straight away,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
Lindsay will head to the Eagles alongside No 1 pick Willem Duursma and No 4 selection Cooper Duff-Tytler.
“I think they’re both a great bunch of boys,” he said.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with them and know them really well, so I can’t pick two better blokes to go over with.”
Lindsay credited his family, the late Troy Selwood and Geelong Falcons as huge influences on his footy.
“They’ve (Falcons) been there since the very start and all the coaches and staff down there have progressed my footy and developed me into the player I am today – I couldn’t do it without them,” he said.
“Josh is an outstanding left-foot kick who we rated highly and, when he was still on the board, we were keen to move up and secure him,” West Coast national recruiting manager Duane Masse said.
“Securing Willem, Cooper and Josh adds to the young talent we’ve selected in the past few years and we believe they can really add value to our list for years to come.”
Meanwhile, Geelong selected South Australian winger Harley Barker with its first pick at 24, although the speedster will miss the majority of next season after rupturing his ACL.
The Cats will take a long-term approach to the 187cm tall Barker, who was captain of Sturt’s Under 18 side and All Australian this season before the knee injury.
