What a great day it was today at the 2016 Rick's Rookies Draft Combine.

Lots of Rick’s Rookie members and their families came to this new event, which was held at the WA Netball Centre.

By the look of everyone I think they really enjoyed the day.

When you arrived HBF were in the foyer giving out HBF water bottles and West Coast Eagles footballs.

You were able to collect your Rick Rookies Draft Combine record sheet from the WCE staff and we also were able to enter a competition and had the chance of winning a 2016 signed West Coast Eagles Guernsey.

There were some face painters painting faces with the Eagles colours.

The most popular were flags and players’ numbers.

The West Coast Eagles bouncy castle was set up for the kids to have a go on while we were waiting for the event to start.

When I was walking around I saw everyone wearing their West Coast Eagles lanyards which we put our group numbers in.

As I walked around I asked some Rookie members some questions:

What do you think you will like about the new Draft Combine day?

Rylan, 7 -Getting to meet the players. 

How long have you been a West Coast Eagles member for?   

Skyla, 11 -6 years

Which player would you like to be like when you are older?

Cooper, 8 -Mark LeCras

Who do you enjoy watching the most?

George, 9 -Josh Kennedy

Do you think we will win this weekend against North Melbourne and if yes how much by?

Jett, 10 -Yes by 25 points.

 

When it was time, we were able to go on to the courts where everything was set up for us and Rick the Rock welcomed us with high fives.

The families who came to watch sat in the grandstand and the Rookie members sat down on the courts, all very excited.

When the event started the West Coast Eagle MC told us what we will be doing throughout the day.

He then introduced us to Brad Smith who used to play for Subiaco and is now part of the drafting team at the West Coast Eagles.

He talked to us about all the opportunities you have in football and what is involved with being drafted. He also spoke to us about the four F’s and they are Fun, Fit, Friends and Footy.

Then Rick the Rock did some drawings they called it Ricktionary and we had to guess what he drew.

His drawings were so funny it was hilarious. 

The first person he drew was Josh Kennedy then Matt Priddis then last of all was Nic Nat.

After that we went to our group numbers to start the activities with our group leaders and a West Coast Eagle team player was at each station.

We had nine stations to go to. 

They had a photo booth where you had a photo taken with either Rick the Rock or The HBF Teddy, plus the other people in your group which were put on our Draft Combine record sheet. 

At the handball accuracy station you had to handball the ball to the target and we got a score to put on our record sheet.

We had the 20m sprint to see how fast we could run and at the static jump station there was a measuring pole to see how high you can jump.

We also had the evasive skills test where you had to dodge around people trying to get the ball, then handball it, run around, then get the ball back, then run back to the start line.

At the planking station Eagles’ staff timed how long we could stay in a plank for and when it got to three minutes we had to stop, at the agility station we ran around the cones then ran back and at the kicking accuracy stop we had to hit the target which was 10 points and if you did not hit it, it was only worth two points.

 

When I was able to, I asked some of the West Coast Eagles players questions:

How did you feel having the 2006 premiership team watching you on Thursday night?

Jamie Bennell- Special and good.

How do you think you will perform against North Melbourne this weekend?

Jamie Bennell- We will win, but it will be close in the fourth quarter.

What do you like about the Rick Rookie Draft Combine today?

Jackson Nelson- It is fun and cool.

What’s your favourite movie?

Scott Lycett- Remember the Titans.

Who was your idol when you were young?

Andrew Gaff- Gary Ablett snr

What’s your most embarrassing moment in your footy career?

Liam Duggan- I kicked the ball the wrong way coming out of the midfield.

 

After all the stations were completed we sat back on the courts where we started.

The MC drew out the winner of the 2016 West Coast Eagles Guernsey and thanked everyone for coming and said he hopes to see us all next time.

Thank you everyone for coming to the Rick Rookies Draft Combine.

I hope you enjoyed it. See you next time at Rick the Rocks Birthday at Bounce.