PROMISING West Coast youngsters Jarrod Brander and Jack Petruccelle have pushed their cases for the JLT Community Series after playing starring roles in an intraclub on Friday.
Meanwhile, dual club champion Elliot Yeo got through roughly three 20-minute quarters at Lathlain Park, raising hopes he will take part in the practice matches after coming back from toe surgery.
Brander booted three goals in the first half before appearing to suffer a sore hip which kept him out of the remainder of the contest.
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The injury didn't seem serious and the smooth-moving 195cm tall forward looms a back-up option if spearhead Josh Kennedy (legs/shoulder) isn't available for the season-opener in Brisbane in a month.
Brander, who played the only game of his debut season in round 13 last year against Sydney, was threatening in the air on Friday and reliable with his set shot goalkicking.
The 20-year-old also showed his athleticism and quick-thinking when he changed his mind as he was about to kick, dropped the ball with his left hand onto his right boot and hit Patrick Bines on a lead with a pinpoint drop punt across his body.
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Petruccelle has won rave reviews for his standout pre-season after kicking two goals in three appearances last year, and is on track to help replace small forwards Jamie Cripps (toe) and Mark LeCras (retired) against the Lions.
The 19-year-old speedster produced a blistering three-goal third quarter once the intraclub contest switched from evenly-matched teams to 'probables v possibles' line-ups.
He pushed high up the ground and showed off his improved tank in a similar half-forward role to Jake Waterman, who was prolific early.
Petruccelle's fourth major came after a sensational one-handed mark running back with the flight under pressure from an opponent.
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He could have kicked five goals but hit the post with a snap in the first term.
Oscar Allen also did enough to put his hand up to play in the JLT Community Series, starting next Friday against Geelong at Leederville Oval.
The versatile 191cm forward contested some centre bounces and could become a pinch-hitter as coach Adam Simpson considers his ruck options without Nic Naitnaui (ACL) and Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide).
Nathan Vardy and recruit Tom Hickey played on opposing teams during the first half, before the Eagles switched to their familiar two-ruck policy and paired the duo against mature draftee Keegan Brooksby.
The new 6-6-6 starting positions appeared to have little impact from centre bounces, with few clean takeaways and plenty of repeat stoppages.
From kick-ins, West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn rarely took the opportunity to take ground, preferring to hit up targets with his weapon of a right boot.
Untried half-back Francis Watson faded after dazzling early with his intercept marking and ball use, while rookie-listed former Magpie Josh Smith found plenty of it from a wing.
Experienced backman Will Schofield came off during the third quarter after playing through a corked quad sustained during the first term.
A host of regulars weren’t involved in the intraclub, including Jeremy McGovern (ribs), Luke Shuey, Chris Masten (calf), Kennedy and Cripps.
Star onballer Andrew Gaff, Lewis Jetta and Willie Rioli were absent due to their AFLX involvement.
Electrifying forward Liam Ryan was slow to get going, although he kicked a set shot goal and set up another in the third quarter.
Jack Darling finished with three majors as the 'probables' team piled on 10 unanswered goals after scores were level at 6.5 (41) apiece at the main break.
