WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson is facing line-ball round one selection calls after Jack Redden and Tom Barrass were among East Perth's standout performers in a season-opening WAFL loss to Fremantle-aligned Peel Thunder.
Meanwhile, Hayden Crozier and Tommy Sheridan staked their claim to take Dockers small forward Hayden Ballantyne's spot with strong contributions in the Thunder's 17-point victory on Saturday night.
In the last chance to impress before the Eagles' clash with North Melbourne, Redden backed up his 39-disposal effort in last weekend's practice match with another prolific midfield display.
The former Brisbane Lion hard nut racked up 26 touches and laid 11 tackles to keep the pressure on for spots in West Coast's engine room.
Third-year onballer Liam Duggan (24 possessions) also worked into the game after a quiet start.
Barrass (22 disposals, 10 marks) was one of East Perth's few four-quarter performers in a scrappy contest at Medibank Stadium.
The 21-year-old key defender's intercept marking was a feature throughout the opening three quarters, before he was swung forward and booted two goals in the final term to save some face for the Royals.
Barrass and running defender Will Schofield, who was rock-solid with 21 disposals and nine marks, are both vying for backline positions against the Roos.
Former club champion Eric Mackenzie was preferred to partner Jeremy McGovern in West Coast's final JLT Community Series hit-out, but Simpson is yet to settle on up to six spots in his line-up.
Evergreen defender Sam Butler did his round one hopes no harm, picking up 28 touches and providing drive from defence coming back from a minor calf complaint.
Dashing half-back Francis Watson (27 disposals, 10 tackles) continued to prove he has a future with another eye-catching effort, while Kurt Mutimer and Luke Partington (26 disposals each) showed plenty of promise.
Importantly, ruckman Jonathan Giles (11 disposals, 22 hit-outs) got through unscathed after Scott Lycett, who was among the onlookers, badly dislocated his shoulder last week.
Giles is in the mix for round one and squared a tough battle with Sean Darcy (13 disposals, 22 hit-outs), who again showcased his competitive side against a more experienced opponent.
The Dockers draftee seems unlikely to face Geelong in round one at Domain Stadium given Jonathon Griffin's impressive pre-season, but is a strong chance to debut in 2017.
Freo appears to have a relatively settled line-up for the Cats clash next Sunday, although Ballantyne's hamstring injury has created an opening.
Playing across half-back and a wing, Sheridan collected 24 touches for Peel and took the game on at every opportunity to stick his hand up.
Crozier booted the Thunder's opening goal from a clever snap and had 26 disposals to push his case.
Harley Balic (30) and half-back Ethan Hughes (23) were also key Fremantle-listed contributors in Peel's 7.11 (53) to 4.12 (36) triumph.
Top 10 draftee Griffin Logue (17) settled as the game wore on and his rebound was important as the Thunder ran away with the contest thanks to a five-goal third term.
