Tom Barrass, a Premiership defender, has said a tearful goodbye to West Coast and stated that his family’s and friends’ needs were the main reasons he decided to join Hawthorn.
After weeks of talks between the two clubs, Barrass became a Hawk on Wednesday night during the final furious hours of the trade window. West Coast will receive a future fourth-round selection in addition to future first-, second-, and third-round picks in exchange.
Barrass thanked the Eagles on Instagram on Thursday morning, saying he had “loved this club since I was a boy” and that the decision was “extremely hard.” His post featured several images from his time at West Coast, including a family photo with his partner Nadia and their two children, as well as memories from the 2018 Premiership celebrations.
“I want to thank the West Coast Eagles football club for being my home for the past 11 years,” Barrass wrote. “This club has been central to my life, providing me with incredible opportunities, experiences, mentors, and most importantly, friendships.”
He also extended his gratitude to the fans and the West Coast community, noting that he always felt their support and aimed to show his appreciation through his performance on the field.
“This has been an extremely tough decision, but sometimes tough choices are necessary, and my family and friends come first. I hope I’ve made a meaningful contribution to a club I hold dear. Being a life member is a true honor.”
He concluded his message with, “Love you all and see you on the other side. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter with my little family at @hawthornfc,” ending with “TB out” and a red heart.
Teammates such as Jai Culley, Brady Hough, Clay Hall, and Tyrell Dewar quickly took to the comments to pay their respects.
Barrass, 29, leaves the Eagles after 150 games in 11 seasons, having been drafted with pick No. 43 in 2013.
“Since Tom requested a trade, our main goal has been to secure fair compensation for a player of his caliber and experience,” said Eagles list boss Matt Clarke. “Once the deal was finalized, we were pleased with the first, second, and third-round picks, which position us well for next year’s draft. We believe we got a great deal for Tom.”