confirmed ins for 2015

Hayes, 20, returns to the Club after 2 years with the Brisbane Lions. Whilst at Brisbane, Hayes was a dominant player for the Lions Reserves Team in the NEAFL gaining selection in the 2013 NEAFL State Team and winning the Lions Reserves Best & Fairest in 2014.

Coach Michael Godden said “We are really excited about what Nick can produce on-field this year. He can play forward and back but has excelled as a midfielder in the last 12 months and at 188cm he is a terrific size. He’s courageous and very clean with the ball so he’ll be a great addition to our midfield.”

Please join the WWTFC in welcoming Nick back to the Club.

The Club is also pleased to announce it has appointed Ben Watkins as a League Assistant Coach for Season 2015.

Watkins, 39, played 83 League games for West Adelaide before moving into the Coaching ranks at Rostrevor as an assistant from 2003-05. He then joined Paskeville as Senior Coach in 2007 before returning to West Adelaide in 2010 where he spent 4 years as Reserves/Midfield Coach.

Please join the WWTFC in welcoming Ben to the Club


Nick Hayes
Ben Watkins assistant coach

The WWTFC is pleased to announce the signing of Aseri Raikiwasa.


Raikiwasa, 21, joins the Club after playing 34 games in 3 seasons at the Port Adelaide Magpies. The versatile key defender has represented SA at U18 and U20 level and will add further flexibility to the Eagles backline.

On the signing Michael Godden said “Aseri not only has the ability to play a defensive role but also run and carry the ball so we think he’ll be a great addition to our backline. His flexibility to be able to play on a variety of opponents will be a real plus for us. Aseri is a quality person and someone that has a real desire to improve so he’s a good fit for us”.

The Club is also pleased to announce the appointment of former player Scott Mathews as its Reserves Coach for Season 2015. Mathews replaces Jarrad Wright who has taken up a role at South Adelaide.

Mathews, 36, played 96 games for the Club between 1996 and 2003 winning the Club’s Best Team Man award in 2002. Mathews was appointed Senior Coach at Trinity Old Scholars in 2012 where he has spent the last 3 years as well as being part of the Eagles development squad coaching staff in 2014.

On the appointment Football Manager Trent Hentschel said “Scott played at the Club for 8 years and also worked with our development squads last year so he has an understanding of our culture and the structures we have in place. Scott has a passion for developing young people so we’re really excited about what he brings to the Reserves Coaching Role.”

Please join the WWTFC in welcoming Aseri and Scott to the Club.

Thompson, 23, joins the Club on a permanent basis after being aligned with the Eagles whilst on the Adelaide Crows List for the past 5 years in which he played 20 AFL games and 80 SANFL games (68 for the Eagles and 12 for the Adelaide Reserves team). Thompson has been a premier defender when playing in the SANFL over the past few years and will fill a key defensive post in Season 2015.

Senior Coach Michael Godden said “We think Luke is a little unlucky not to still be on an AFL list so to have him at the Eagles full time will be fantastic. He’s built some very strong relationships with the players and staff here at the Eagles since moving over from Victoria so it will be a very smooth transition. He’s an exceptional person and a quality player who not only demands a lot from himself but also his team mates so he’s going to be very valuable for us.”

Thurlow, 21, joins the Club after spending 2014 on Essendon’s Rookie List. Originally from Queensland, Thurlow is a strongly built ruckman at 199cm and 102kg. Prior to 2014 Thurlow represented Queensland at State U18 level and was also selected in the U23 NEAFL State Team that took on SA in 2013.

Michael Godden said “Fraser is still only 21 and that’s relatively young in terms of a ruckman’s development but he’s extremely motivated and clear on what he wants to achieve. He had the chance to play against some quality ruckman last year through the NAB Cup and VFL season and acquitted himself very well. At nearly 200cm he’s a really good size and has great mobility so we think he can have a real impact for us this year.”

Football Manager Trent Hentschel said “To add Nick Hayes, Aseri Raikiwasa, Luke Thompson and Fraser Thurlow to our existing squad is really exciting. We’ve also had 12 players move up into the senior squad from last year’s U18’s so from a playing list point of view we feel we are in really good shape”.

Please join the WWTFC in welcoming Luke and Fraser to the Club.

Petrenko, 24, returns to the Club on a permanent basis after 6 years with the Adelaide Crows where he played 76 games. Petrenko who progressed through the Eagles junior ranks prior to being drafted will add great flexibility to the Eagles existing midfield.

Coach Michael Godden said “Even though Jared is only 24 he brings a lot of experience to the group. His aggression and speed around the footy will certainly add an extra dimension to our midfield. Although he was disappointed in not getting redrafted Jared was out training with us the day after the Rookie draft which was a great sign he’s enthusiastic about next year. He’s body is feeling good and he looks in great shape so we’re really excited about the footy he can produce this year.”

Please join the WWTFC in welcoming Jared back to the Club