Young Eagle makes early impression, McQualter talks style and roles
The Eagles resumed training on Monday and Reuben Ginbey made his mark
WEST Coast youngster Reuben Ginbey made the perfect first impression as new coach Andrew McQualter took the reins for pre-season training, winning the first running test of the Eagles’ summer program.
Ginbey, who is earmarked for a defensive role under McQualter after shining in the backline late last season, took out the Eagles’ MAS (maximal aerobic speed) test for the second straight year, impressing alongside Campbell Chesser as the club’s first-to-fourth-year players returned.
The duo was among a group of more than 25 players to hit the track at Mineral Resources Park, with senior players including Oscar Allen, Elliot Yeo, Jake Waterman and Liam Duggan also back early.
McQualter said Ginbey would look to build on the backline role he excelled in late last year and as a junior after playing most of 2024 rotating through wing and inside midfield roles.
He showed some great parts to his game last year and he’s still really young. He’s going to evolve and develop as a player, but to begin with we’ll settle him in the backline,” McQualter said.
“He’s strong, he’s fast, he’s fit, and it gives him a great starting point, but whether he plays tall or small might be week-to-week dependent
