Second-year West Coast Eagles midfielder Clay Hall looks to balance to build an AFL-ready body in 2025

Clay Hall is hoping that finding the right balance will help him break into West Coast’s competitive midfield brigade come round one. The second-year Eagle has returned for his first full pre-season in noticeably top shape, revealing to The West Australian the work he put in during the off-season to build a frame which can compete at the AFL level. “Over the off-season I was just looking to put on size which I had so far as I’ve put on about three or four kilos while also trying to keep that running capacity which is one of my strengths,” Hall said. “From a footy point of view, I want to upgrade the contest side of things around the stoppage and then if I’m thrown out on the wing to be able to impact the stoppage from an outside point of view. “I spoke to our nutritionist at the club on what was the healthiest way to do that (put on size) and we changed things around my diet a fair bit. You add a lot of iron and protein in the meats that you’re having so every second night I was trying to put a steak on the barbecue as well as getting my veggies in. “The balance I’ve had with my eating, gyming and running ratio has been good and it’s put me in a good spot for the pre-season.” Hall has looked to Adelaide midfielder Sam Berry and Sydney star Chad Warner as outside inspiration to improve his football. “There’s so many good players in the midfield who stand out week in, week out but those outside players are who I look up too,” he said. “Chad Warner uses his burst and pace a lot and then someone like a Sam Berry if he’s thrown on the inside, I like to use my aggression to work my way into a game.” Hall played three games in his debut season with interim coach Jarrad Schofield ensuring he got a taste of AFL footy. It has the teenager wanting more, but faces a tough task given established stars in Elliot Yeo, Tim Kelly and Jack Graham as well as a host of youngsters led by Harley Reid are running through there in 2025. “There’s a massive midfield group at the moment when we’re in meetings and out on track doing some craft … but that’s great it means we’re a strong side,” Hall said. “That healthy competition when you’re fighting for selection is always good at a club so I’m looking to execute whatever role Mini (coach Andrew McQualter) gives me whether that’s outside, whether that’s inside I’m not fussed at all. “I am just looking to impact in the best 22 as best as I can.” There are plenty of fresh faces at the Eagles but one that is standing out to Hall is former Richmond vice-captain Liam Baker who was part of one of the biggest trades in the off-season. “It’s hard to pinpoint certain individuals because the whole group is working extremely hard and that’s the best thing over the past three or four weeks is the work-rate from the boys out there has been impressive,” Hall said. “But it’s hard to go past Liam Baker while he’s out there, his on-field leadership is great and as we all know he goes out on the field and trains his ass off. He is courageous, good with his words so he is definitely one who has impressed me. “Elijah Hewett is looking dangerous, so I’m excited to see what he can do this season.”