New West Coast Eagles recruit Deven Robertson has opened up about the emotional challenge of leaving Brisbane right as the Lions reached back-to-back grand finals, revealing the personal sacrifice behind his trade move to Perth.
Leaving Brisbane During Premiership Window
The 22-year-old midfielder made the difficult decision to seek opportunities elsewhere after struggling to secure a permanent spot in Brisbane's powerhouse midfield. Robertson watched from afar as his former teammates competed in consecutive grand finals during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, creating mixed emotions for the young footballer.
"It was tough watching them," Robertson admitted. "You're happy for your mates because they're your good friends and you want them to do well, but there's also that part of you that wishes you were out there with them."
The West Coast recruit played 33 games across four seasons with the Lions, including the 2023 grand final loss to Collingwood, but found himself in and out of the senior side despite strong VFL performances.
Family Connections and West Coast Heritage
Robertson's move to West Coast represents a homecoming of sorts, with the young midfielder having strong family connections to the club. His uncle is West Coast legend and former captain Darren Glass, who played 270 games for the Eagles between 2000-2014.
"I'm really close with Darren," Robertson revealed. "He's been a massive influence on my career and someone I've always looked up to. He's given me some great advice about the club and what to expect."
Glass, who served as West Coast captain from 2008-2014 and won three best and fairest awards, has provided invaluable guidance to his nephew throughout the trade process and transition to his new club.
Embracing West Coast's Rebuilding Phase
Despite joining a club that finished near the bottom of the ladder in recent seasons, Robertson expresses genuine excitement about West Coast's future. The Eagles are in the midst of a significant rebuild under coach Adam Simpson, focusing on developing young talent.
"I can see the direction the club is heading," Robertson said with enthusiasm. "There's so much young talent here, and I want to be part of building something special."
The midfielder pointed to emerging stars like Harley Reid, Noah Long, and other young Eagles as evidence of the club's promising future. Robertson believes his experience in a successful system at Brisbane will be valuable in helping West Coast return to finals contention.
Robertson joins West Coast with considerable pedigree, having won the Larke Medal as the best player in the 2019 AFL Under-18 Championships. His leadership qualities were evident early when he captained Western Australia at under-16 level and served as vice-captain of the AFL Academy.
The West Coast Eagles faithful will be hoping Robertson can establish himself as a regular in the midfield rotation, bringing his contested ball-winning ability and professional approach to a young squad looking to climb the AFL ladder in coming seasons.
