AFL mid-season rookie draft: Tom McCarthy, Michael Sellwood among contenders for Waalitj Marawar (West Coast)

An exciting mature-age VFL midfielder is loom as Waalitj Marawar’s (West Coast’s) pick in the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday, after coach Andrew McQualter declared they would swoop on the best available player. Richmond VFL midfielder Tom McCarthy , 24, is firming as the favourite to land at the Eagles with the No.1 selection after a stellar season for the Tigers’ reserves side as a hard-running midfielder and half-back. The Eagles hold the most power in the draft after they secured the top pick at the weekend, with McCarthy viewed among their top options but the club is keeping its cards close to it’s chest. McCarthy — who has nominated for an 18-month contract — is coming off a 24-disposal outing for the Tigers VFL against North Melbourne. Peel Thunder defender Michael Sellwood remains a chance to land at the Eagles after they held a long interest in the 21-year-old WAFL premiership star. Sellwood has garnered attention from several clubs with The West Australian revealing this week the Western Bulldogs put him through a medical. Perth recruit and Geelong premiership player Brandan Parfitt has been long-linked to the Eagles since he landed in the WAFL but is now seen as an outside chance. Meanwhile, The West Australian can reveal the Eagles are one of several clubs to reach out about Eastern Ranges bolter and Collingwood VFL defender Rod Ali. Waalitj Marawar have one spot on their list open at the moment because of a season-ending knee injury to premiership hero Dom Sheed. As revealed by The West Australian last week, the Eagles will give dynamic midfielder Elliot Yeo a chance to return from his ankle and knee injuries that have sidelined to date, while veteran Jeremy McGovern is unlikely to finalise his fate at a concussion panel before the deadline. It means unless the Eagles pick up a season-ending injury in their clash against Kuwarna (Adelaide) on Sunday, the Eagles will only take on pick next week. McQualter said the Eagles would simply pick the best player available and not look to fill a particular position. “I’m a little bit involved, but we’ve got a great team together who has been putting in a power of into it,” he said. “The mindset we have is to take the best player available ... we’re going to have at least one pick in it, which is awesome. “Whoever we bring in, I really look forward to it and starting their career with West Coast next week.” Gipplsand Power talent boss Scott McDougal is encouraging the Eagles to take a punt on Casey Demons hardnut Paddy Cross. Cross has been in stellar form for Narrm’s (Melbourne’s) VFL side this season and has been interviewed by the Demons in the lead up to the draft next Wednesday. The 22-year-old is playing excellent football in the VFL, coming off a three-goal, eight tackles and 12 disposal game against Footscray a few weeks ago. Cross — who is 183cm — backed it up with two goals against Southport to take his tally to seven goals from the past three games. McDougal, who helped nourish forward-turned defender Ryan Maric, said Cross was the “ultimate utility” player who had elite tackle work and defensive pressure. “He’s got fantastic fundamental skills to go inside but the power running to go into outside roles and spread from stoppage,” McDougal told The West Australian. “He played in the Young Guns game a few years ago and as soon as he began to rise he had an operation on his hamstring. Just at the wrong time he’s had an injury. “Paddy has always been one of those top-notch players. Given the chance he could flourish at the AFL level.” Nearly every club including the Eagles have reached out about Ali, who is a bolter after turning away from basketball to concentrate on football at the start of the year. The 19-year-old athletic defender has played a few games for the Eastern Ranges, before he earned a debut for Collingwood’s VFL side where he has played two games. Tom McCarthy (Richmond/VFL) Age: 24 Height: 187cm The half-back/midfielder has emerged as the top contender in this year’s mid-season rookie draft after a strong start to the season for the Tigers. McCarthy — who has nominated for an 18-month contract — is starring for Richmond and recently collected 24 disposals and four clearances against North Melbourne’s VFL side. Whether at 24, McCarthy fits their list profile will be left up to debate but the Eagles have been adamant they want the best player with the No.1 pick. Michael Sellwood (Peel Thunder/WAFL) Age: 21 Height: 186cm A premiership defender with already nearly 50 games of league football under his best at just 21, Sellwood has long been touted as an AFL-ready made player and has been under the watchful eye of the Eagles for some time. Brady Hough’s move to the midfield under coach Andrew McQualter has left the Eagles with a hole in defence and Sellwood would be an ideal replacement should they go that way. Sellwood has already represented WA twice and is coming off a career-high 30 disposal outing in his last match for the Thunder. Brandan Parfitt (Perth/WAFL) Age: 27 Height: 180cm The Eagles have been persistently linked to the Geelong premiership midfielder ever since he was recruited by the Demons. Parfitt has done his chances no harm, averaging 30 disposals and four tackles in his first five games for Perth to establish himself as an early Sandover Medal contender. It is understood the interest has cooled recently and given he is already 27 there will be questions over whether he fits as part of their list profile. Rod Ali (Collingwood/VFL) Age: 19 Height: 186cm An absolute bolter this year, the Eastern Ranges product has recently been called up to Collingwood’s VFL side after significant interest. A talented teenager, Ali is a physical defender who has excellent skills on both sides of his body but may not be yet ready for the rigours of AFL. Coming from a basketball background, Ali is more a long-term project but comes from the same club where the Eagles grabbed forward-turned midfielder Jack Hutchinson last year.