Several West Coast Eagles players will have significant roles to play in the WAFL finals series and three of them were in outstanding touch on the weekend.
Jamie Bennell (Swan Districts), Mark Hutchings (West Perth) and Cale Morton (East Perth) stood out in their respective games on Saturday and will need to continue that form if their teams are to progress through the finals series.
Bennell was deployed as a loose player behind the ball for Swans and was the most influential player on the ground, racking up 29 possessions and taking nine marks in that role.
Coming off a knee reconstruction to play from the middle of the season, his form has been encouraging since joining the club from Melbourne, particularly his decision-making and ball use.
Hutchings has been a solid contributor when given his opportunities in the AFL this season and has been strong enough mentally, when dropping back to WAFL level, to maintain his high standards when dealing with the disappointment of losing his place.
Despite the fact that West Perth lost by 18 points, Hutchings was again prominent, racking up 29 possessions, taking seven marks and clamping on seven tackles in a gritty performance.
Morton had 30 possessions and took seven marks in another quality performance for the Royals as they nailed down fourth spot with a three-goal win over co-tenants at Medibank Stadium, Subiaco.
Morton was prominent throughout and will be important to East Perth as they play Swans in this week’s first semi-final at Steel Blue Oval.
Brad Sheppard and Ashton Hams will not be playing WAFL finals, but maintained their form for East and South Fremantle.
East Fremantle had to knock over top team Claremont to be any chance of playing finals – and needed either East Perth or Swans to lose – and while they completed their part of the contract, saw their season wind up.
Sheppard had 16 possessions and took four marks for the Sharks, capping off his work with two goals, while Hams had 22 possessions for South when they were beaten by Perth in the only game of the round with nothing but pride on the line.
