West Coast has used its compensation pick from the AFLW to add more speed, with Western Bulldogs Irish midfielder Aisling McCarthy joining the club.

The Eagles were last month given an priority pick, 16, in this year’s draft which they needed to trade on to add experience to their squad after claiming just one win in their inaugural season.

McCarthy and pick 3 were traded to West Coast in exchange for the Eagles’ round picks (two and 16) today as part of the club’s first deal of 2020.

The 24-year-old from County Tipperary played 12 games in her two seasons at the Bulldogs, averaging 12 disposals, three tackles and two inside 50s a game.

West Coast Eagles head of female football Adam Selwood said McCarthy would be a welcome addition to the club’s midfield.

“It was a priority of the program to continue build our midfield depth from the 2020 season,” Selwood said.

“Head AFLW recruiter Chad Morrison and myself tracked Aisling’s development with the Western Bulldogs over the past 18 months and have been extremely impressed with how well she had taken up the game and her consistent impact at AFLW level.

“Not only does Aisling provide us with another strong-bodied and poised midfielder, she has the ability to push forward and become a dangerous threat in our forward line.

“Aisling is a long-term proposition for our football program and we cannot wait to get her out to WA to join her new teammates and familiarise herself with the West Coast Eagles family.”

The addition of McCarthy gives the Eagles a big Irish flavour, with sisters Grace and Niamh Kelly both re-signing with the club until the end of the 2022 season.

“It’ll be great to have other Irish players in Grace and Niamh Kelly alongside me,” McCarthy said.

“We will have a great understanding of each other from our Gaelic football background and I’m sure we can bring something different to the table.”