Eagles recruit mused on Daniher after marching orders

Words of wisdom from AFL great Neale Daniher were ringing in Jack Viney's ears after being told he was no longer wanted at Melbourne.

The newly minted West Coast recruit admitted to surprise when informed at season's end that Demons coach Steven King was moving in a different direction.

The 32-year-old acknowledged he didn't get a chance to put his best foot forward in King's first season at the helm, dealing with a long-term Achilles injury and secondary back issue that sidelined him for all but one game.

Vice-captain to Max Gawn in Melbourne's drought-breaking 2021 premiership, Viney said he envisioned finishing his career as a one-club player.

"It took a little bit of time to come to terms with it," Viney told reporters on Friday, when asked about being told to look elsewhere to continue his 238-game AFL career.

"But once we started looking at the opportunities I reminded myself of some of Neale Daniher's wise words and wisdom ... and quickly became really excited to play football for the Eagles.

"(Neale said) 'life doesn't promise to be fair' and 'regardless of the situation there is opportunities in it'."

A former Melbourne coach and 2025 Australian of the Year, Daniher died at age 65 in May after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

Viney's long-mooted trade to West Coast, alongside fellow premiership teammate Trent Rivers, did not go through until 15 minutes before Wednesday's deadline.

It made for a nervous wait for Viney, and his manager Tom Petroro - who also represents Rivers - bore the brunt of the anxiety.

"I was blowing up his phone," the midfielder said of Petroro, who was part of dramatic scenes on the final day of the 2025 trade period when Zach Merrett did not shift from Essendon to Hawthorn.

"But, no, I was always confident it would get done, and I did put the pressure on pretty early to make sure we got it over the line.

"I think he (Petroro) just wanted to drag it out and create a bit of a scene."

Viney has signed a two-year playing deal with the Eagles and may stay on in a coaching role after he retires.