Some who have been in and out of the team this season excelled and others looking for their first opportunity in 2013 followed suit.
Wingman Bradd Dalziell and midfielder Mark Hutchings have demonstrated all season that they have the mental strength to adjust to the disappointment of missing AFL selection by producing quality displays for their respective WAFL clubs.
And they were joined by a cluster of West Coast teammates who continue to put their names in the selection frame.
Dalziell has been in extraordinary WAFL form and again had 32 possessions for East Fremantle and kicked three goals, while Hutchings broke the shackles of a heavy first-half tag to have 23 possessions and five tackles in a match where both had carefully managed ground time because of the Eagles’ Friday night fixture this week against Hawthorn.
The Swan Districts-Subiaco confrontation threw up an interesting match-up for Jamie Bennell in his first senior match for Swans coming off a knee reconstruction. He was opposed to experienced forward Mark Nicoski, whose return from major hamstring surgery is gaining momentum.
Bennell opposed Nicoski for much of the contest and finished with 20 possessions in a confidence-boosting return, while Nicoski persevered on a tough day for the Lions and capped off 14 touches with three goals.
In that same game, exciting midfielder/forward Murray Newman, resuming from a knee injury, had 17 possessions and two goals, but the highlights were seven marks and seven tackles. Understandably he tired towards the end of the game, but wielded a strong influence when the game was on the line.
Yesterday, when East Perth eclipsed Perth at Brownes Stadium, there were seven West Coast players in action and all had some impact.
Jamie Cripps, despite being in doubt through illness in the lead-up to the game, was one of the most influential players in the game, had 21 possessions, five tackles and seven clearances in an eye-catching display.
Ruckman-forward Scott Lycett had 25 hit outs and kicked two goals from 15 possessions and eight marks, while Will Schofield appreciated his run with the Royals and played a solid game in defence.
Fraser McInnes had 18 touches and five marks for Perth, while Ash Smith played strongly in defence and had 27 disposals, which also included a run on the wing. Simon Tunbridge has had a disjointed run through injury, but completed the game after playing forward and through the midfield with 16 possessions and youngster Brant Colledge was under notice in attack before a hamstring strain brought a premature end to his day.
Tough utility player Pat McGinnity also produced a terrific performance playing for Claremont against Peel.
He was matched-up on Fremantle-listed midfielder Viv Michie and played a close-checking role, while also gathering 24 possessions himself and laying eight solid tackles. After a tough start to the year, when a recurring back injury prevented him from stringing games together, he is starting to pick up match fitness.
