AFL lifeline the preference for Witherden after disappointing but understandable West Coast delisting

Alex Witherden can understand why West Coast delisted him even if he is disappointed by the decision.

The 26-year-old defender was let go by the Eagles on Friday after four seasons and 62 games in the royal blue and gold.

Witherden acknowledges that after a few difficult years the club had to make some adjustments and cutting a player in a well-stocked position is understandable.

“It’s disappointing to be delisted,” Witherden said on SEN WA Breakfast.

“The last couple of years have been tough for the footy club and I understand the need for some change.

“We’ve got some really good senior players that play at half-back in (Liam) Duggan, (Tom) Cole and (Jayden) Hunt, these sort of guys, and it’s probably time to give some of the younger guys some more opportunity.

“I understand, I’m disappointed, but I can walk out with my head held high knowing that every time I took the field I gave everything.”

While Witherden played 40 games across the last two campaigns, and finished eighth in the best and fairest in 2023, he was often filling gaps which said to him that perhaps his days as an Eagle were numbered.

But he is proud of the way he fought on and gave his all during a season of significant change which saw premiership coach Adam Simpson part ways with the club.

“Over the last couple of years I’ve been a bit of a gap-filler,” he added.

“In the last couple of games I was playing full-back on Brynn Teakle and these type of guys that are 200cm. I punched above my weight and gave it a red-hot crack.

“I was able to halve most of those battles and contribute. It’s probably not my most ideal role and position, but I did what the team needed and I felt like that was my strongest trait in the end.

“It’s probably why I played so much footy, my endeavour to give everything and play a team-first role. That’s why the coaches backed me in even when my form fluctuated a bit over the last couple of years.”

As a delisted player without a contract for 2025, Witherden will now play the waiting game to see if any AFL club is interested in his services.

He understands that the 2024 draft crop, which is being touted as one of the best in a while, might make it a bit trickier for players in his situation whose preference is to play AFL again.

“I’d obviously like to keep going if the opportunity was there,” he said regarding his chances of an AFL lifeline.

“I’ve been chatting to my manager, Nick Gieschen. He sort of said that post trade period clubs are trying to get an understanding of how many list spots they have.

“Because it’s such a talented draft it might be tight to get on a list, so whether it’s through SSP and having a crack that way then I’m open to it.

“In saying that, if there wasn’t to be an opportunity then I know I’ve had an absolute red-hot crack and I’m proud of doing that.”

If not in the AFL the former Brisbane Lion, who hails from Geelong, still plans to play footy at some level in 2025.

“I’ll definitely have a kick next year. I’ll be playing footy at some level whether it’s through a club that helps me get a job or state level or whatever it may be,” he added.

“I’m not sure yet what that looks like.

“We’re just working though that over the next couple of weeks and we’ll make a decision after that.”

Away from the footy field and Witherden has one unit left in a commerce degree which he plans to complete over the course of summer so he has a uni degree behind him.

He admits while he does not feel “fully ready” to transition into life after footy, he believes he has put himself in a good position to adapt successfully.

Witherden played 59 games for the Lions prior to his Eagles move in 2020, tallying a career total of 121 games across eight seasons.