Individuals
Partington - 18k, 10hb, 2m, 3t, 4.2 - when you consider he only had 3 disposals at quarter time (which did include an excellent running goal from 35-40m off a boundary throw in) he overcame a quietish start brilliantly. In a dark weekend his game was a genuine bright spot. Comfortably EP's best player and was genuinely damaging to the point where he could have had another goal or two. Quite simply he's earn a game because it's really hard to comprehend what more he could be doing. At different times he was prepared to go face to face with former Freo shitstain Ryan Crowley who was his normal ****head self so Parto gets my admiration for that too
Wellingham - 10k, 11hb, 3m, 4t - good at times, poor at others. On face value stats look ok but I think overstate his influence. Seemed to pick and choose when he wanted to go so had his good moments but also others where you'd hope for more from a senior player. Showing no signs of discomfort from his ankle injury so he'll be fit if selected in the senior side at least
Lycett -11k, 10hb, 5m, 4t, 36ho, 0.1 - very good game from Slyce and I thought the most dominant big man on the ground. Moved well, had good aggression and EP usually looked better when he was rucking. Simpson said they needed him to spend more time rucking before a recall which he did and ran the game out well. Hard to envisage him playing more than one more game, if that, at EP before playing in the wings again
McInnes -6k. 6hb, 4m, 2t, 3ho, 0.1 - under utilised is a phraser that comes to mind. Had his moments and presented well across HF/wings at times but I can't shake the feeling he'd be more value leading out from the goal square as a go to FF. Generally struggled to make a meaningful impact on the game
Gorter - 3k, 2hb, 1m, 0t - safe to say Gorter had a mare. Struggled as the main KPD and was torched by Cary who kicked 7 from 9 disposals. as his sponsor it is incumbent on me to point out that one goal was the result of an errant Watson handball straight to him, another was from a push in the back free kick when McInness competed in a marking contest from a Gorter kick out from full back and his 7th was after Gorter had been shifted off him. But in truth looked lost as it becomes increasingly curious why west coast chose to rookie list him. Good kid but doesn't look up to it.
Giles -5k, 5hb, 6m, 1t, 31ho, 1.0 - named as one of EP's best on the WAFL site which given my understanding is provided by the club is completely baffling. Thought he was ineffectual and his hitouts weren't as damaging as Lycetts. I thought he struggled and was surprised when I saw the hitout numbers. Serviceable game at best and I hope that him being named as one of the BOGs is some sort of pre-emptive trickery
Mutimer - 11k, 7hb, 2m, 5t, 1.0 - had a really good second quarter where he helped drive a mini revival including a clever goal but waned a little in the second half. Decent game but not one that demands re-selection
Masten - 24k, 9hb, 4t, 5hb, 0.1 - the game you'd expect from a seasoned AFL player at WAFL level. Got a lot of his disposals from superior work rate but didn't make full use of them. Seldom turned the ball over outright however many of them missed the target resulting in a stoppage. His physicality was pleasing and his five tackles was equal second highest. Didn't shirk a contest that I saw
Watson - 8k, 9hb, 5m, 2t - surprised he was given a league game rather than being kept in the reserves another year. That said the longer the game went the better he got and you could see that desperation to take the game on returning as he grew in confidence.Good signs he's returning to his best
Lamb - 4k, 6hb, 2m, 3hb, 1.0 - sadly another off day for chopper. Took a strong contested mark in the goal square to kick a goal and another nice hang in defence to save one but had trouble getting into the game.EP had plenty of big forward so he became something of a fifth wheel. We need to decide what he is and start playing him there
Rotham - 8k, 5hb, 4m, 2t - started out OK but was found wanting in an undersized defence much like the subi game. The more I see of him the more I view him as wing type because as a defender he isn't actually that good at defending
Butler - 8k, 8hb, 5m, 3t - age is catching up to butts in a hurry. Looked slow and his unwillingness to move the ball on quickly is a detriment. Was absolutely copping it from the banjo brigade during the third quarter to the point where I wouldn't have blamed him for retiring there and then. This guy has an AFL premiership medallion that he earned fair and square. Watching him was equal parts admiration for still doing what's best for the club and pity for a guy who's persisted through injury after injury only to be mocked by a group that had less talent collectively than his toe nail clippings
Snadden - 8k, 1hb, 3m, 3t, 1.1 - his stats confirm his impact Did kick a goal but that was the result of a 50m penalty for umpire abuse that he had no bearing on. I've struggled to notice him in the reserves when he's had the best part of 30possesions, how'd you reckon I'd go noticing him with single digits
From a changes to the AFL side point of view, Partington, Wellingham, Masten and Lycett all put up a solid case for elevation. Partington, in particular, must wonder what he needs to do if he's not at least named as an emergency for the bulldogs game after a month of solid footy
Whilst he wasn't getting leather poisoning by any stretch in recent weeks, EP are actually missing the impact Venables has on a game so can't wait tosee him out there again
**** me if Bassendean Oval isn't the place intelligence goes to die