Pingelly’s Tom Blechynden completes first day with West Coast Eagles as he looks to earn a spot on their list

Pingelly midfielder Tom Blechynden is soaking up his first taste of AFL football after taking part in a training session with the West Coast Eagles on Monday. Blechynden was among three WAFL players to step on to Mineral Resources Park on Monday morning, looking to secure one of two vacant spots on the Eagles list. The 22-year-old was joined by South Fremantle teammate Toby McQuilkin and West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel while former Docker turned East Fremantle forward Hugh Dixon started on Tuesday. They are hoping to earn a contract through the pre-season supplemental selection period. Blechynden said it was surreal to be training with an AFL club. “It was unreal training alongside the blokes I look up to, was very surreal,” he said. “I am loving the experience and all the boys have been awesome in making me feel welcome. “Looking forward to the next couple of weeks and trying to impress.” The Eagles have trialled several players since returning to training as they look to fill up to three vacant list spots this preseason. The Eagles still have only one official list spot available for the supplementary selection period, but expect to have at least two after the retirement of All-Australian defender Brad Sheppard. That could increase depending on key forward Jack Darling who is yet to meet the requirements of the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols. Blechynden is a tough inside midfielder who had a breakout season at South Fremantle, averaging 22 disposals in 22 games. The 22-year-old was runner-up in the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest as a reward for his efforts. During his first training session with the Eagles, Blechynden fed a brilliant handball to a teammate under pressure during scrimmaging which ended in a Shannon Hurn goal. The pre-season supplemental selection period runs from January 10 to March 9.