Dunsborough’s Reuben Ginbey shows pride for South West’s AFL talent after settling in West Coast nest

After becoming the latest AFL draftee to hail from the South West, Dunsborough’s Reuben Ginbey says he is “really stoked” that the region is being put on the map. Since being taken by West Coast at pick 9 during November’s AFL national draft, Ginbey is the fourth draftee in two years to come from the South West, after Busselton’s Jye Amiss, James Tunstill and Harvey’s Brady Hough were all picked during the 2021 draft. Speaking to the South Western Times, Ginbey said the region had been “a really good breeding ground for talent” over the past few years. “I went to school with James (Tunstill) and we used to travel to training at East Perth with Jye (Amiss) as well, and I’ve been getting to know Brady (Hough) this year,” he said. “It’s been really great for the South West to have a few draftees coming through. “I think it’s a credit to all the hard work of the coaches and the development pathway down there. “I’m really stoked to see the South West get on the map of talent.” From flying to Melbourne for the first night of the AFL draft to being put through the paces in training sessions, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind for the 18-year-old. Ginbey said he feels like he has been settling into the club really well and getting to know all of his new teammates. “I’ve come into the club with a lot of new other draftees and we’re all coming really close and we’ve all been working off each other,” he said. “We were getting eased into training but it’s definitely ramping up now. “I’m really starting to feel like I am part of the club and feel a part of the family. “It’s a great bunch of blokes. “As soon as I got drafted I got a text from pretty much everyone on the team. “It’s a really tight group of boys and it’s a great place to be.” During the first few training sessions, Ginbey and the other newcomers to the club have all been set mentors to learn off, with Ginbey learning from Dom Sheed and second-year player Campbell Chesser. “Those two boys are similar midfielders to me and it’s been great for my development,” Ginbey said. “They’ve been giving me a lot of tips here and there so I’ve been really clinging to them in and out of training.” While he doesn’t want to look too far into the future in the early stages of his career, Ginbey said he has been focussing on getting his fitness and skill levels up to AFL standard during the first block of preseason training. “I want to just come back after Christmas really fit and ready to go and being able to jump into all training and getting a bit of match simulation going as well,” he said. “I’m really just taking it the first blocks of preseason at a time. “If the season comes by and I’m ready for selection that’ll be really great, but I am happy playing footy wherever and as long as I keep improving I’ll be happy with that.” Ginbey said he’s also successfully convinced his family to swap the Fremantle purple for West Coast’s colours. “My family’s all asking for scarves and hats and other Eagles merchandise so I think they have quickly swapped the purple for the blue and gold,” he said.