West Coast have swooped on VFL star Tom McCarthy with the first pick in this year’s AFL mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday.

As expected, the Eagles grabbed the dashing defender after first expressing interest about a month ago.

The 24-year-old has bolted into the top level after playing second division football in Victoria less than two years ago, before joining Richmond’s VFL team.

SEE EVERY PLAYER SELECTED IN THE AFL’S MID-SEASON DRAFT

McCarthy has averaged 23 disposals, six contested, six ground ball gets, three tackles and four score involvements since moving from the midfield to half-back for the Tigers.

“I feel so privileged that I’ll get to live my dream and play for West Coast, a very proud, historical club,” McCarthy told the club website.

“I’m super pumped to get started I just really want to get over there already and kick the footy around with the boys.

“I’ve watched a little bit of West Coast this season and I’m really enjoying the young kids are getting a crack at it and it looks like they’re building something.

“They’re playing an exciting brand of footy which I can see myself playing as well, which is good.”

He becomes the Eagles’ third No.1 mid-season pick in the past four seasons, joining forward-turned defender Ryan Maric and toughnut Jai Culley — who is now at Melbourne — while they took Jack Hutchinson out of Collingwood’s VFL program with pick No.3 last year.

The Eagles had a spot on their list open up because of a season-ending knee injury to premiership hero Dom Sheed in February.

West Coast then pulled a surprise with pick No.9 taking Norwood forward Jacob Newton who had kicked seven goals in four games for the Redlegs.

Newton, 19, kicked two bags of three goals in his past two games to impress recruiters as a bolter into the draft.

Eagles list manager Matt Clarke said the club was excited for Newton to be an Eagle.

“He was unfortunate to miss being drafted last year after an injury curtailed his year mid-season,” Clarke said.

“He has worked tremendously hard over the pre-season on rehabilitation and thrust himself back into contention playing four senior games for Norwood kicking seven goals.

“He is a dynamic player with real power and speed, while working back to full fitness.

“He has played predominantly as a midfielder in his junior football, possessing a strong contested possession rate and excellent clearance work.

“His thirst for the contest is strong and he brings flexibility to play multiple roles for us at the Eagles.”

The club confirmed on Tuesday the All-Australian will have a shoulder reconstruction after sustaining the injury on Sunday, in the 66-point defeat to the Crows at Adelaide Oval.