For most of the players who were involved in Sunday’s 93-point victory over Melbourne at the MCG, today’s training session was about getting the body ticking over again. Part of the process of stepping it up after yesterday’s recovery session.

For those who did not play at football’s mecca, however, today’s session was a little more meaningful. A chance to catch the attention of the match committee and stake a claim for the one spot that has certainly become available because of the unfortunate injury to Shannon Hurn.

Among them was tough-as-teak half-back Beau Waters.

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On the comeback trail after complications from shoulder surgery during the off-season, Waters is nudging ever so close to a resumption. It won’t be this week for the fan favourite, but his hiatus is nearing an end.

It has been a frustrating opening three months to 2014, but Waters is within sight of playing, probably in the WAFL, as he increases his training output with every session. Both the duration and the intensity are on the up and so is his enthusiasm.

There’s nothing worse for an elite player than to be sidelined and Waters could be excused for being a little grumpy because he has had more to endure than most of his contemporaries. With games in sight he is now feeling more like he is part of the playing group.

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Waters was noticeably upbeat on the track, as were rookie Dom Sheed, ruckman Scott Lycett, defender Adam Carter, midfielder Mark Hutchings and utility players Simon Tunbridge and Pat McGinnity.

Sheed played in the opening round against the Western Bulldogs, as the sub, and had 23 touches for East Perth on Saturday, while Lycett continues to press his claims. Tunbridge and Hutchings appear poised for a return on the weekend, probably on Friday night against South Fremantle, while McGinnity resumed from suspension on the weekend.

It’s competitive for places in the team and all of those players – as well as Will Schofield, Jacob Brennan, Sam Butler, Josh Hill and others – are itching to get back into senior football.