It was a case of quality over quantity with only eight West Coast Eagles players engaged in the WAFL over the weekend, but all of them impacted games strongly to ensure that if an opening exists, at AFL level they are ready to stake their claim.

Midfielders Chris Masten, Tim Houlihan and Ryan Neates, utility player Jordan Jones, defender Beau Wilkes and ruckman Will Sullivan were all in impressive form, while forward Tony Notte is starting to find touch and Gerrick Weedon was in eye-catching form in the Claremont reserves.

With two games to go, opportunities are starting to dry up, but all of those players have ensured pressure remains for places in the senior team.

Claremont v Swan Districts

Beau Wilkes
A typically strong four-quarter effort in defence. Wilkes took some very courageous marks and was a key player for his team. He used his run effectively and his immediate opponent kicked one goal. His positioning on his opponent was good, he raked in 10 marks to go with 18 possessions.

Ryan Neates
Patrolled the wing and half-forward and, in possibly his best senior game for Claremont, picked up 28 possessions and nine marks. He found space, was used by his teammates, carried the ball well and was involved in some good goal assists and sent the ball inside the attacking 50 seven times.

Gerrick Weedon (Reserves)
Weedon played on-ball and at half-forward and produced a solid four-quarter effort. He maintained a strong body in traffic, always disposed of the ball when tackled and was team orientated. He was involved in countless goal assists and was prepared to handball to team mate in a better position. Weedon’s possession rate was high, his work ethic outstanding and was a good contributor for his team.

Tony Notte
Notte started at full-forward, played deep for most of the game but, at times, he pushed further up ground. He took a very good contested mark and kicked the goal from it in the second quarter. He spent 10 minutes, in the second, third and final terms in the ruck and held his own. Opportunities in the second half were limited as Claremont dominated. 

Perth v Peel

Will Sullivan
At the centre bounces he virtually broke even against his opponents, winning 14 taps to 11. He ran attacking routes in general play and was used well in the first half, with four marks. Sullivan ran a lot of unrewarded distance in the second half, with teammates failing to use the ball effectively or making poor decisions under pressure. Had 13 possessions and won 33 hit-outs to be a good player for Perth.

Jordan Jones
Jones played on-ball and across half-forward with short spells on the bench. He was a pivotal player in Peel’s comeback after quarter-time, kicking two goals in the second quarter and gathering numerous possessions around the ground. At times he ran hard to double up his possessions and showed good intensity. He handballed to the advantage of teammates when under pressure and was efficient with his 30 possessions and nine marks.

East Fremantle v Subiaco

Chris Masten
Showed good intensity and a change of pace throughout the game. He worked hard out of stoppage and generally used the ball well - especially by foot. His clearance work was good in a best-on-ground performance which included 35 possessions.

Tim Houlihan
Houlihan ran well and was able to break the lines, often delivering the ball precisely inside the attacking  50 for East Fremantle. The highlight of his game was his ball use, especially by foot and showed clean, quick hands on a number of occasions. Gathered 22 possessions and took five marks.