AFL 2023: SWAS athlete Clay Hall selected by West Coast Eagles in 2023 AFL draft on Tuesday afternoon

In more ways than one on Tuesday afternoon in Binningup, exciting Peel Thunder talent Clay Hall was following in his father Derek’s footsteps. An hour before night two of the 2023 AFL draft got under way in Melbourne, father and son kicked off their shoes and went for a walk along the beach. With a footy between them, they laughed, and cherished the little things which have made their bond together so strong. Two hours later, the Hall family received word Clay had been selected by the West Coast Eagles with pick 38. In many ways, this culminated in a full circle, given Derek was also drafted by the Eagles 33 years earlier. While the 190cm versatile talent was humbled by his selection, Clay reiterated his desire to meet his new teammates and begin training at Mineral Resources Park — along with harnessing his experiences at the Thunder. “At Peel, I was able to learn what the senior bodies were like,” he said. “They were a lot more seasoned and the (players) had a lot more knowledge from the time they’d spent involved with a senior program. “So I learnt a lot from the older boys there, although it’s still fairly a young bunch within the Peel Thunder group. I think a mix of ages and different body sizes I had to go up against will help me out a lot.” Another bonus of staying in WA means the 18-year-old can spend plenty of time with his Binningup-based family, who have supported him every step of the way. “It’s been unreal,” he said. “They’ve driven me around everywhere from a very young age. There’s been a fair bit of fuel cost involved in that — but their support is unreal. They’ve never complained about how far they’ve had to drive.” Derek, who coaches Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault’s league side in the SWFL, told the South Western Times the draft process nowadays was starkly different from when he began in the AFL system, but he believes this is a good thing. “It’s been a totally different experience,” he said. “I never had an ambition to play AFL, I just fell into it, whereas it’s been Clay’s goal for probably the last two and a half years. “He’s been very driven and it’s something he’s really wanted to achieve. So the fact he’s been able to do it means a lot more than when I got drafted, because it’s what he really wanted. “It means a lot and we are incredibly proud.” News of Clay’s selection was well received in the South West sporting community, with South West Academy of Sport chief executive Bernice Butlion thrilled yet another quality academy athlete had been drafted to the highest level. “Clay is a very good kid and has a great work ethic,” she said. “We’re really happy for him, the Hall family and the fact he’s been able to stay in WA.”