Jack Graham has officially signed with West Coast after the paperwork was approved by the AFL on Tuesday morning.
Graham has signed a four-year deal with the Eagles as a free agent, with Richmond getting a pick at the end of the second round (currently No.42) as compensation for losing the midfielder.
The 26-year-old was offered similar deals from both West Coast and the Tigers but picked the former where he will re-unite with former Richmond assistant and new Eagles coach Andrew McQualter.
“Jack obviously had a tough decision to make about where he viewed his playing future and we are delighted he has decided to continue his career at the West Coast Eagles,” Eagles list boss Matt Clarke said.
“Jack will add another mature and experienced body to our midfield mix, and he is in the age profile we are looking to bolster amongst our squad.
“His professionalism and leadership will also be valuable for our developing playing group.
“We look forward to welcoming Jack and his partner Jordan to the club.”
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Graham joins the Eagles after playing 131 games in eight seasons at Punt Road, including premierships in 2017 and 2020 after being recruited with pick No.53 in the 2016 draft.
“I’m just so grateful for the Richmond Football Club for giving me the opportunity eight years ago,” Graham said.
“I have met some amazing people along this journey, and it is tough… but it is something that I thought I needed for myself. A new chapter and a new challenge.
“Jordy and I are very excited by that, but at the same time, it is sad to say goodbye to so many good people.
“(They are) people that have helped me along the way to get where I am today as a player, but more importantly, to help shape me as the person I am today.”
Former Richmond captain Dylan Grimes praised Graham after his move to the Eagles.
“I’ve never seen a player … that can push themselves to exhaustion and beyond as well as Jack Graham could,” Grimes told SEN.
“The first time trial, the Eagles boys will fall in love with him because he seems to be able to get more out of his aerobic capacity than any other player I’ve met.
“What that looks like on game day is just this absolute workhorse; a team player, someone that really is happy to do a role for a team.
“He’s a star on and off the field. There’s reasons why a couple of years ago people were talking about Jack as potentially the next captain (of Richmond).
“They’ve picked a really good player. He’s going to give a lot to that football club.”
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