Lewis started off well and then got injured. Rookies come in so late and they are not up and running, so he didn't really have an impact. He was best on ground in the WAFL reserves grand final.
Mitch Brown
We were tossing up whether to play Mitch back or forward and we tried both. He looked very settled back late in the year until he was injured, but there's no guarantees he'll stay back. It was a solid year without being over the top.
Sam Butler
He was outstanding early and is an important part of our side. He injured his ankle after five games and that was the end of his season. I've got no doubt in the near future he should be back in the midfield.
Adam Cockie* (delisted)
Injury during the pre-season prevented him from getting going. Adam's a workhorse and he needs to be playing and training every week to play his best footy and unfortunately he couldn't get that.
Dean Cox
'Coxy' was one player who held sway early but he slowly faded as the year went on with his injuries. With the rest Dean's had we think his body's going to be fine and we expect Nic Naitanui will take a bit more pressure off.
Bradd Dalziell
We underestimated Bradd's value to the side with his possessions and what he did do when he was playing. He found the footy and his use was very solid, so we're hoping for big things from Bradd.
Brad Ebert
In a young team that wasn't going well, Brad stood up in our midfield. He's going to falter at times, but the quality of the kid says he'll just keep going. He had a solid year.
Andrew Embley
'Embers' was probably one of our better players for the year and showed a lot of maturity. He played his best footy for us across half-forward and on a wing.
Darren Glass
The skipper was solid again before being injured after eight games. Once he went down we were exposing a lot of young defenders, but his leadership behind closed doors was really good.
Ashton Hams*
Came in underdone after being taken in the rookie draft and was a surprise packet. He didn't do a pre-season but managed to have an impact when he played. He's a natural footballer and will benefit from a full pre-season.
Ash Hansen (delisted)
Ash had a solid start to the season, but injuries kept rolling and we went down the path of playing Callum Wilson, which cost Ash his spot later in the year.
Tim Houlihan (delisted)
We were really behind the eight ball after Tim injured his foot in the pre-season. He couldn't get himself up and going, but hopefully he has a good pre-season and finds his way back onto the list.
Shannon Hurn
It was an outstanding year for Shannon. He is one of our vital players, just because he kicks the ball so well. He's maturing and understanding the game more and he's really leading with his actions.
Brett Jones
Started off well, but Brett was injured early and struggled to get back and find some form. With some young players coming on, like Brad Sheppard and Will Schofield, he struggled to get back in the side.
Jordan Jones
After an early injury Jordan struggled, but he found some form late in the year, which earned him two AFL games. He has realised what AFL footy is about and hopefully he can stand up and play a role for us.
Josh Kennedy
Josh had an outstanding first three quarters to the season and was probably in our best two or three players. He faded towards the end, but a lot of people didn't know he had a shoulder injury for the last six to eight games, which has been operated on now. He battled on.
Daniel Kerr
Injury made this year another disappointing one for Daniel and the club, because he's such a valuable player and we need him playing. He can get back to being the explosive player he was. His football smarts are elite, and that counts for a fair bit in today's footy.
Mark LeCras
Our best player for the year and hopefully he continues that form. Performances like his 12 goals against Essendon don't often happen and there will be more pressure on him now. He's a smart player and he can handle that.
Quinten Lynch
It was an indifferent year for 'Lynchy'; very up and down. He's coming to terms with the way we are playing, and once he gets a hold of that he’ll have an impact. Whether that's forward, in the ruck or as an impact player off the bench, we'll wait and see.
Eric Mackenzie
Eric was outstanding and matured as a player. 'Glassy' went down but that seemed to help Eric. There's no doubt he's going to be the club's next full back and playing there without Darren for a few weeks fast-tracked him.
Chris Masten
Chris couldn't get his body to what it should be this year, and he was unable to play long periods in the midfield. He's been outstanding in pre-season this year and he's a class act. He hasn't had a chance to get his body to AFL level, but once he does he'll have a huge impact.
Pat McGinnity
Pat had a solid year. He's never going to be picked in your first 10, but Paddy's one of those rugged types that will always be picked in your 22. He lifted his skill level this year, which has added to his game.
Ben McKinley (traded to North Melbourne)
Ben had an up and down year and his form was tough to gauge with 'Lecca' doing so well. We tried to get the mix in our forward line right - it was too tall at times - and Ben probably suffered at times with that.
Nic Naitanui
For what he delivered as a second-year ruckman, Nic was outstanding. He had an impact over 22 games and played through a shoulder injury in the last six. He wanted to play on and it said a lot about his character.
Ryan Neates*
Ryan arrived at the club late with a groin injury and didn't do a pre-season. He moved from the Claremont reserves into their league side and played the rest of the season there, including the WAFL grand final. He's got pace and his ball-use is very good.
Mark Nicoski
'Nico' showed great signs up forward before that shoulder injury ended his season. He moved from half-back into a new forward role and that’s something we'll continue with.
Tony Notte (delisted)
A disappointing year for Tony, but I don't think it's all his fault. His mind wanted to do a lot of things but his body wasn't willing, so he didn't have the year he wanted. He's going to have a lot to offer if he can get his body right.
Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls*
Jarrod's latter half of the year for East Perth was outstanding and the Royals were rapt with him. It took him half a year to settle in, but then he got going and that's why he got another year.
Matt Priddis
Matt really held up our young midfield and he was a Trojan all year. He did the first-hand stuff and when our players improve around him it's only going to make him more effective. He is an underrated player.
Matt Rosa
Matt had a good year. He had a foot problem and didn't train for the last six weeks, only doing a light session on Friday and then playing. By rights he should not have been playing, but it was manageable over a six-week period.
Will Schofield
We were rapt with Will, especially being able to get 20 games into him and see what he can offer. He's still young, but his height, speed and the way he takes the game on is what we need.
Adam Selwood
'Sellers' was solid, playing whatever role we needed from him - midfield, half-back, tagging - and doing it well. His leadership was outstanding.
Scott Selwood
He's got the right attitude and he's going to be a really good player. We gave him tagging jobs to teach him about playing on better players and he won more of his own football after that.
Brad Sheppard
To get 14 games into our first draft pick was probably what we wanted and we've got high hopes for Brad. He's an outstanding kid and he just took the game on and played as well as he could.
Luke Shuey
Luke started off well and got injured after six games. We need him in our midfield as he is just too good a player to be on the sidelines. He's a quality young kid, a leader and he showed everything in those six games.
Ashley Smith
Ash was a bit shaky early for Perth but he came good and debuted for us in round 15. He's got a lot to learn, but he's got pace, a good kick and he showed some quality signs in his seven games.
Matt Spangher (delisted)
Matt always played a role for us when needed and always gave 100 per cent. He was in and out of the side, probably because of guys like Mackenzie and Schofield holding up down back.
Koby Stevens
Koby was injured early in the year but managed to get going and debut in round 13. We want him around for 10-12 years, so he's got to watch the way he throws himself at the footy - it's a tough thing to coach out of a player.
Lewis Stevenson*
'Lewie' is a bright prospect for us with his damaging kick, now he needs to get AFL fit. Once he does that he's going to be a very good player, because he's a good, competitive player, suited to half-back.
Andrew Strijk*
Andrew came in as a mature player with experience at West Perth, but he didn't have a pre-season. He knew how to get a kick and didn't look out of place body wise. He can play half-forward, midfield or wing.
Will Sullivan* (delisted)
Will didn't have the year he would have liked to - he just couldn't get going at Perth. He played every game in the WAFL.
Tom Swift
Tom had an indifferent year. He played some good games, some bad games and got injured a couple of times. With the injuries he's had as a youngster, he's coming from a long way back. We expect big things from him.
Beau Waters
Beau became a leader for us this year and was outstanding across half-back. He showed great maturity and everyone knows he's a vital part of our side. He's one guy who would love to captain the side down the track.
Gerrick Weedon
Gerrick didn't do a pre-season, he was injured, and he played most of his footy with the Claremont reserves with a few league games. The AFL system was a bit of a shock to him initially, but he's done very well to adjust.
Beau Wilkes (delisted)
Beau was just solid, playing great footy for Claremont and solid footy for us. It would have been nice to have Beau on our list again, but we decided to turn things over.
Callum Wilson*
Callum had a shocking start, getting injured during the pre-season, and he never really recovered. He played average footy early, but he kept going and forced his way into our side eventually. Consistency would see him play a lot of footy for West Coast.
* Rookie-listed player
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL.
