AFL
Justin Chadwick 5y

AFL Eagles cut ties with Chris Masten

AFL

West Coast premiership wingman Chris Masten will attempt to resurrect his career at a different AFL club after parting ways with the Eagles on Tuesday.

Masten played 215 games with the Eagles over 12 seasons, but could see the writing on the wall after being on the fringes of selection this year.

The 30-year-old, who was coming out of contract this year, says he will now explore other options.

"I have had a wonderful time at the Eagles, the club I supported as a kid," Masten said.

"It was a dream to play for them and to play in a premiership last year was the ultimate for me.

"Over the last 12 or 13 years I have enjoyed every minute of it and have made some life-long friends.

"I will certainly miss the boys, we have a really special bond, but it is time to have a look at other options."

With Masten's departure now confirmed, West Coast need to decide whether to offer veteran defender Will Schofield another one-year deal.

Schofield has played just 36 games over the past three years, but has performed strongly each time he has been called upon.

His efforts on Jordan De Goey in last year's grand final were crucial in West Coast winning the flag.

Masten was selected with pick No.3 in the 2007 draft as part of the trade deal that sent Chris Judd to Carlton.

His career looked to be in trouble when he managed just 13 games in 2017 due to poor form.

But he re-invented himself as a hard-running wingman last year, helping play an important role in the club's flag success.

"Chris has been a terrific player for us for a long time and a very popular teammate who has always adopted a team-first approach," general manager of football Chris Vozzo said.

"People other than those in the inner sanctum might not understand the important role Chris has played for us in the last few years, but he was very important to our success."

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