The fountain of youth that has cascaded over the West Coast Eagles this season is also gushing with WAFL partner club East Perth.

Eagles fans have taken great delight in the influx of youth in their AFL team this year and that has generated great enthusiasm – both within the team and within members and supporter ranks.

It has been no different at East Perth and the next wave of talent was highly influential in the Royals’ 33-point victory against East Fremantle in difficult conditions at East Fremantle Oval on Sunday.

At AFL level, the emergence of players like Liam Ryan, Daniel Venables, Willie Rioli, Jake Waterman, Jack Petruccelle and Tom Cole has been enlightening. When East Perth beat the Sharks 10.21 (81) to 6.12 (48) a handful of players pressing for AFL opportunities where prominent.

Defender Josh Rotham continued his good form at half-back, Jarrod Brander was ubiquitous up forward with Tarir Bayok, while Malcolm Karpany and Luke Partington also had plenty of the football.

The Royals could have made it a more comfortable afternoon had they made the most of a bright start, but missed a number of opportunities, kicking 3.10 in the first term.

Rotham has been in a solid vein of form in the last month and continued that trend with 14 possessions, five marks and four tackles, consistently repelling East Fremantle forward thrusts.

Brander, the club’s first selection in the 2017 draft, was a consistent presence in attack with 18 possessions and seven marks, finishing off his work with two goals. Bayok, a category B rookie,  continues to grow and produced a 19-possession performance, while Karpany, playing half-forward and wing had 20 touches.

Partington, returning from a hamstring injury, was East Perth’s highest possession winner, accumulating 29 disposals and he consistently pumped the ball forward.

While the performances of younger players was exciting, some of the more experienced campaigners provided strong leadership and guidance.

Big-bodied midfielder Brendon Ah Chee, in his second game off an ankle injury, was important in the clinches while ruckman-forward Fraser McInnes and defender Will Schofield showed the way for their younger teammates.

The Royals have now pushed up to third place on the WAFL ladder, having won their last four games, but will lose some continuity with a bye for the State game against SA in Adelaide next Saturday.