West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is confident Elijah Hewett will re-sign with the Eagles despite the midfielder being stuck in the WAFL as rival AFL clubs sniff about.
Hewett, the No.14 pick from the 2022 national draft, comes out of contract at the end of this season and is being sounded out by several Melbourne-based clubs.
The 22-year-old had a delayed start to the season due to injury, and then was dropped from the AFL side after just four games due to him struggling to adapt to a half-forward role.
Hewett, a midfielder by trade, tallied just three disposals in a round-six loss to Fremantle then only eight possessions in a round-eight defeat to Richmond before being axed.
McQualter said the WAFL stint was to allow Hewett to play as a full-time midfielder and to build his form and fitness.
