Boomer Mark Worthington misses out of on gig with West Coast

DUAL Olympian Mark Worthington will stick with basketball after failing to convince West Coast he could switch sports.

Mark Worthington

DUAL Olympian Mark Worthington will stick with basketball after failing to convince West Coast he could switch sports.

The Eagles tested the 29-year-old on Tuesday, with club officials saying the 202cm Worthington showed impressive skills, given he had not played competitive football for more than a decade.

Though the Eagles had considered recruiting Worthington to their rookie list under special rules related to players from other sports, they said yesterday it would not be happening.

"Primarily it is around his age," football manager Neale Daniher said.

"It was still very tempting and Mark is a very impressive young man. While this opportunity did not eventuate, I would like to wish him every success with his basketball career."

Worthington had been viewed as a back-up ruck option, though the Eagles already boast the AFL's best ruck brigade, with star pair Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui and emerging youngster Scott Lycett.

The Boomers regular, who captained the now-defunct South Dragons to the National Basketball League title in 2009, will join Serbian basketball club Radnicki.

"I really enjoyed testing myself out at a different code, one that I enjoyed playing as a junior," Worthington said.

"A switch of codes at this stage of my career was always going to be a long shot and they've decided not to proceed. I'm satisfied that I can now head over to my new club in Serbia and refocus on my basketball career."

Basketball Australia chairman Scott Derwin welcomed the news.