External pressure will be a key driver for those players who have been given early AFL opportunities to sustain their good form and ensure they retain their positions.

A cluster of West Coast-listed players have been in dynamic form in the WAFL with five or six stand-out performers across the split round over Easter.

There is just one vacancy, with champion wingman Andrew Embley requiring surgery to a shoulder injury this week, but any one of up to 10 players are lining up to secure the position.

If the match committee is looking for a like-for-like replacement, then Bradd Dalziell would be close to the top of the list. He has started the season in sparkling fashion for East Fremantle and continued in that manner with 27 possessions, five tackles and two goals for the Sharks in a convincing display against Peel.

Teammates Brad Sheppard, Mitch Brown, Koby Stevens and Jacob Brennan also enjoyed productive days. Sheppard and Stevens will doubtless be discussed at match committee, particularly if they decide to re-jig the midfield structure in the absence of Embley.

Sheppard has played much of his football off half-back, but also appeals as a wingman with his exquisite skill and endurance, while Stevens is a hard-nosed midfielder who has done little wrong through trial games and early season matches.

Brennan and Brown have also been solid in defensive roles, should opportunities become available in the back half.

Ruckman forward Scott Lycett continues to develop his skills at Peel, with nine possessions and a goal part of his contribution to the cause.

While Ryan Neates and Murray Newman gave outstanding displays in small forward roles for their respective WAFL clubs, they will need to sustain that effort to displace either of Josh Hill or Ashton Hams who have shown enterprise and have hit the scoreboard in the opening two rounds.

Just the same, the diminutive duo was under notice throughout their matches on Easter Monday.

Neates was influential, particularly when Claremont put West Perth away in the opening half at Claremont Oval, and finished with four goals and seven tackles as well as 19 possessions in perhaps the best effort of his brief career.

He had some strong allies in Pat McGinnity (17 possessions, four tackles) and Tom Swift (28 possessions, five marks and seven tackles), who also ensured they will be discussed at selection for this Sunday’s encounter with AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney.

Stevenson is another who has been in outstanding touch and finished off his work, primarily at half-back, with a good goal.

Jeremy McGovern and Gerrick Weedon had their moments for Claremont, but will need to produce more to push their respective cases, while Anton Hamp kicked two goals and presented well against West Perth in the reserves game.

While West Perth struggled to keep pace with the rampaging Tigers, rookie Michael Mascoulis had some good moments in a 14-possession game for the Falcons, despite spending extended periods on the bench.

Newman was lively throughout for Swan Districts and finished with 24 disposals and a couple of goals, but looked silky smooth. The club’s No.1 selection in the 2011 draft is developing confidence with each senior game and will be pushing for AFL selection in the not-too-distant future.

The other player selected in the 2011 ballot, developing tall forward Fraser McInnes, also displayed his wares for Perth against East Perth on Good Friday.
He had 17 possessions, took five marks, applied five tackles and kicked two goals that gave the Demons some hope of a late flurry to beat East Perth. That didn’t happen, but McInnes was a solid all-round contributor.

Veteran Sam Butler was also solid for Perth, while developing defender Simon Tunbridge exerted some influence.               

The Eagles again had 17 players filter back into the WAFL competition, another indicator that its bid to field a standalone team in the local league would be successful.