The Eagle has landed … eventually.
The West Coast-St Kilda clash on Saturday afternoon was almost delayed after Auzzie the eagle — West Coast’s real-life gameday mascot — went rogue at Optus Stadium during the traditional pre-game festivities.
Auzzie was released but failed to return to her handler when called, causing chaos and panic among ground officials.
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Auzzie landed three times in the crowd: Once near a corporate area on level three, then on a rail in the second tier of a general admission section and finally at a level-two corporate level, which is where he was finally caught.
“Gee there’s been some drama in the lead-up to this game,” Fox Footy host Kath Loughnan said.
“Auzzie the eagle … he went a bit astray. He’s usually flying around the stadium for a little bit and lands on his stand in the middle of the ground. But he went all over the shop today!
“Luckily after about five minutes of intense pressure from that lady on screen to catch him, she did. She did an amazing job.”
It’s not the first time Auzzie has gone rogue before an Eagles game, with an AFLW derby between West Coast and Fremantle in 2021 being delayed.
Auzzie has been a fixture at Eagles games since 2007.