Cooper Duff-Tytler may be slightly overshadowed by West Coast's Pick 1 selection, but the fourth pick of the National Draft is eager to play his part in the club's rebuild, which reached a historic low in 2025.
Duff-Tytler is seen as the top key position player of this draft class, with his versatility as ruck-forward combo demonstrated at junior level making him an excitement machine for Eagles fans, with his athleticism making him truly a modern tall prototype.
His ability to gather hard balls on the deck at over two metres tall is also an impressive attribute rarely seen with players his size - something he attributes to his time spent watching his idol growing up, Jarryd Roughead.
"My favourite player was Jarryd Roughead, he went into the midfield as a full forward sometimes, so he did shape my game a little bit," Duff-Tytler told media on Wednesday night.
"More recently I've dialled into Luke Jackson, Tom De Koning and Riley Thilthorpe, so those young stars that are finding their feet and becoming genuine superstars in the game now."
West Coast know just how impactful an athletic ruck can be, with their success in the mid-to-late 2010s dictated by the play of three-time All-Australian Nic Naitanui.
Duff-Tytler said Naitanui was also an idol of his growing up and he would be keen to learn from him if he's ever around the club.
"If Nic Nat's there I'll be trying to learn as much as possible off him," Duff-Tytler said.
"I was a Hawks supporter, but every kid loved watching Nic Nat growing up, he's a human highlight reel. If I could play anything like him it would be pretty cool."
Duff-Tytler isn't fazed by the enormous expectations for the AFL's largest non-Victorian club to improve in 2026, and is keen to be "a part of the change" with his good friend and now teammate, Willem Duursma.
"The list of the Eagles is so exciting. Willem, Harley, Reuben Ginbey, they've got a bunch of young stars so hopefully I can grow into that and meet all the boys and get to know them," Duff-Tytler said.
"It's an unbelievable opportunity to go over there where I can help rebuild the club with the young list that they've got. I want to try to be a part of the change.
"To go across with someone you already know and have a relationship with is so cool and our relationship is only going to get stronger in the years to come. We're already mates so to go over with someone like Duursma is [amazing]."
