He is the grandson of a former AFL chief executive, and now the high-flying Charlie West is ready to make a splash of his own in the big league.
The uncapped West, the grandson of one-time league chief executive Wayne Jackson, trained strongly in howling wind on Tuesday, the Magpies later confirming he will make his senior debut against the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Collingwood teammates congratulate Charlie West at training on Tuesday ahead of his debut.Credit: Justin McManus
While West impressed, premiership veteran Jordan De Goey is working his way back into full fitness, but did not take partake in all the drills.
De Goey also spent time completing sprints, and is at least a fortnight away from returning. The robust midfielder is determined to have an impact come the run home to the finals.
Coach Craig McRae last weekend floated the prospect of West joining the senior side, and the springy marking tall impressed on Tuesday as he and his teammates moved through four training stations.
West and fellow tall Mason Cox were involved in several entertaining marking duels, each sharing the spoils.
Jordan De Goey at training on Tuesday.Credit: Justin McManus
The top-of-the-table Magpies have fielded only 31 players this season – behind only Geelong (30) – reinforcing why they have been such a consistent and stable force.
However, they have a clutch of promising youngsters desperate to be rewarded for their strong VFL form. West, with 25 goals from 10 VFL games, heads the list in this regard.
The 194 centimetre key forward booted six goals, including the post-siren matchwinner from about 35 metres out against Sandringham in the VFL on Saturday, and appears set to realise his dream.
While the Magpies can already sniff a premiership this season, club officials also know they need to continue to invest in their future. They were the oldest team, with an average age of 28.5 years through the first half of the season, and have had only Will Hayes debut.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae (right) talks to Charlie West on Tuesday.Credit: Justin McManus
West, from Woodville-West Torrens, was the No.50 draft pick at last year’s draft, and is likely to replace humstrung forward Beau McCreery.
McRae said after his team’s 34-point win over St Kilda at the weekend that West was close to a senior debut.
“I must admit, his magnet was really close this week. I didn’t tell him, but now it’s going to be really hard to keep him out,” McRae said.
“I’m rapt for him: a 19-year-old kid playing VFL, kicking a goal after the siren. He looks like he’s going to be hard to leave out next week.”
West travelled with his senior teammates to Perth in round nine, and was under consideration to make his debut against the Dockers, but lingering plantar fasciitis meant he had to miss.
He has spoken of the role his grandfather played in his rise as a junior, the pair regularly chatting after West’s games about what he did well, and what he can work on.
Uncapped pair – midfielder Harry DeMattia, the No.25 selection in the 2023 national draft, and ruckman Oscar Steene, a 2023 pre-season supplemental selection – are also pushing for senior selection. DeMattia has twice been an emergency this season.
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