West Coast Eagles WAFL captain Jackson Nelson to depart, Harley Reid’s friend Jason Gillbee also on way out

West Coast WAFL captain Jackson Nelson is set to move home to Victoria next year, bringing an end to almost a decade at the club. The West Australian can reveal the 28-year-old is one of three former AFL-listed players who are expected to depart the Eagles reserves team, with vice-captain Trey Ruscoe and GWS recruit Jason Gillbee — the best friend of teenage star Harley Reid — also understood to be on the way out. It would mean there are no former AFL players in the struggling West Coast WAFL team, who have claimed the wooden spoon every year since joining the league four years ago. Nelson, who played 102 AFL games across eight seasons, had been skipper of West Coast reserves since he was axed from the club’s senior side at the end of 2022. The Geelong product, who was taken at pick No. 51 in the 2014 draft, is understood to be returning to Victoria early next year. He attracted strong VFL interest after being delisted by West Coast two seasons ago but decided to stay on with the reserves team, while also being employed in a community role at the club. It was a rough two years for the defender, who led the side amid an injury crisis at the Eagles, picking up just four of 36 wins during his time at skipper. But Nelson told The West during the season he enjoyed the challenge of helping to develop younger players and that the Eagles felt like his family. His final years as an AFL player were not much easier, with the popular clubman often facing heavy criticism and continually jeered by West Coast fans. Despite this, he managed 102 games, including 19 of 22 in 2021. The West Australian understands Ruscoe, a former Collingwood defender, will also leave the Eagles after just one season, where he moved after being axed by the Pies at the end of their premiership season last year. The vice-captain — an East Fremantle and Aquinas College product — will officially leave his community job with the Eagles at the end of this year and is understood to be in discussions with a number of rival WAFL clubs. Ruscoe — who had 18 games with the Pies to his name across four seasons — played every game for the Eagles this year, averaging 15.2 disposals. Gillbee, who is close friends and housemates with teenage star Reid, will also leave his part-time community role at the club and is understood to be departing the reserves side. The 20-year-old did not manage a game in his one year as a rookie with GWS, with his signing considered by many an attempt at helping Reid settle into WA. He played 15 games for West Coast’s reserves this year, averaging 13 disposals. The West reported last month axed Eagles Jamaine Jones and Zane Trew have signed with South Fremantle and Swan Districts respectively, while Next Generation Academy product Jordyn Baker has joined East Perth.