Armstrong elevated from Eagles Rookie List

The West Coast Eagles have elevated midfielder Steven Armstrong onto its senior list for the remainder of season 2006.

Melbourne, his former club, delisted Armstrong at the end of last season. Unable to gain selection in the National Draft the young midfielder returned to his hometown of Perth and took up training with the Eagles.

After the Eagles used their first selection in the rookie draft over summer to gain the services of Armstrong, he returned to his former WAFL club, the Perth Demons.

Armstrong was delighted with the news and said, “There was a bit of motivation to get on the senior list and I just had to keep playing consistent football in the WAFL.”

Over the last three weeks, he has been a shining light for Perth, playing a key role on the weekend and helping them defeat Peel Thunder.

Following the retirement of Phil Matera last November, West Coast had to wait until yesterday to make the announcement. With lingering speculation, the small forward may come out of retirement for one last shot at a Premiership before the Eagles cut him from their senior list.

With Matera’s AFL career now officially over, the Eagles can look forward, to adding more grunt to their dominant midfield zone, with the inclusion of Armstrong in this Sunday’s match against Carlton a real possibility.

Armstrong played 43 AFL games, and booted 21 goals, with the Melbourne Demons, who recruited him during the 2001 National Draft. In 2002, he received a nomination for the Rising Star award.

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