While competition within the squad for a place in the season opener against Brisbane is tight, so too is that within the rookie group who are looking for elevation to the senior list.

With several senior players “rested” from last weekend’s first round of WAFL fixtures, a number of the club’s peripheral players shone to remind the match committee off their attributes. And a couple of rookies were simply outstanding.

Ashton Hams produced a sustained display for South Fremantle against East Perth, leading the Bulldogs to a backs-against-the-wall win over the Royals. South lost a number of key players to injury during the game and last year’s grand final Simpson medallist was simply brilliant.

Wingman Lewis Stevenson was similarly impressive in leading Claremont to an emphatic victory against Peel, while senior list players like Tom Swift and Bradd Dalziell were also prominent over the weekend.

Swift was part of a dominant midfield for Claremont and teammate Beau Wilkes capitalised on those opportunities to kick five goals from centre half-forward.

Dalziell was a stand-out contributor in East Fremantle’s nail-biting victory over Perth while young guns Brad Sheppard and Koby Stevens were also under notice, ensuring their names would be thrown up at the selection table as the match committee wrestles with its round one combination.    

South Fremantle v East Perth

Ashton Hams
An excellent four-quarter effort at half-forward and through the midfield. Most of his best work came through the midfield where his work rate, decision making and use of the ball were excellent.  Finished his work with 12 tackles and one goal

Callum Wilson
Started at centre half-forward and struggled to get into game in first half, though he kicked two goals in second quarter.  Because of injuries he was forced to play the majority of the second half in the ruck and at centre half-forward.

Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls
Played primarily on wing, with time in the last quarter at half-forward. Struggled to impact the game in first half, and though he worked hard and chased hard, he battled to get into the contest. Started the third quarter well and backed it up in the final stanza with seven possessions.

Perth v East Fremantle

Ashley Smith
Started at half-forward where his role appeared to be to follow Brad Sheppard. Initially struggled to get into game but was moved to half-back early in the second quarter and was far more effective. He used the ball efficiently with precise kicking and worked well from half-back to half-forward. In the third term had nine possessions and took six marks.

Bradd Dalziell
A strong four-quarter performance of hard run on wing and through the midfield. Picked up 28 possessions in a consistent performance and also laid six tackles. He was at his best in second half, especially the third quarter when East Fremantle were under pressure.  His ball use was very good, as was his decision making.  His handball set up many opportunities for his team.

Koby Stevens
Koby gave plenty of drive through midfield and, at half-forward, kicking the winning goal.  Looked to feed the ball off at every opportunity to bring teammates into the game and ran hard throughout. A very good game.

Brad Sheppard
Played at half-back opposed to Perth skipper Steve Armstrong who was a good player for Perth.  Brad worked hard and provided strong run off half-back. He received a couple of heavy knocks but pushed through and competed well in one-on-one contests.  A solid effort.

Peel v Claremont

Jordan Jones
Jordan played at centre half-back on Beau Wilkes and started reasonably well, as did Peel. From that point on Claremont dominated all over the ground and Beau got on top of Jordan.  Jordan worked hard, but missed his target with some errant disposal at times.

Tom Swift
Tom played at half-forward and on-ball and after a quiet opening term finished strongly. His physical presence in a contest and fierce tackling on the opposition was terrific.  Tom ran hard to receive his possessions, his skills were good and he was very much team orientated. He always gave the handball off to teammates in a better position.

Lewis Stevenson
Starting at half-back and then shifting to a wing after quarter-time, Lewis played well and then dominated the game with some power running through the middle. He created many scoring opportunities through slick use of the ball and finished his game off with two goals. Close to best afield.

Beau Wilkes
After a quiet opening term, Beau produced a polished performance at centre half-forward with 15 possessions and five goals.  Beau worked tirelessly, kept running, leading and getting involved in a contest throughout the match. He is a good team man, always giving encouragement to his teammates.  Beau’s skills were good and he snapped an impressive left-foot goal from a ground ball situation. 

Gerrick Weedon (Reserves)
Gerrick played at half-forward and through the midfield and seemed to enjoy the hit out. He showed clean ball handling, great evasion skills and finished off with good ball use, hitting his targets by hand or foot.  Gerrick took a good contested mark at 50 metres, played on and scored a goal.  His body strength in a contest is outstanding.

Lewis Broome
Lewis played deep in the forward pocket and battled to impact the game. The highlight of his game was when he led, took a strong mark, played on and scored a goal.

Will Sullivan
Excellent running and positioning in general play. Displayed some variety in all ruck contests and was very effective at centre bounces and boundary throw-ins. He also made good field position, but was rarely used by teammates.

West Perth v Swan Districts

Andrew Strijk
An important rebounding player from West Perth who was acknowledged when Ryan Davis was deployed as a negating half-forward. Davis also tried to drag him deeper into defence.  Andrew did not enjoy his best day, but would have learned from the experience.

Tony Notte
Tony was dragged deep as a defender for most of the game playing against on-ballers (Shadbolt and Gobbles) and the resting ruckman (Andrews) in the fourth quarter. He was thrown to full-forward in the third quarter, but Swans struggled to move the ball forward with any system. Tony worked hard at both ends of the ground on a difficult and challenging day for his team.