West Coast Eagles speedster Jack Petruccelle is welcoming the competition for spots amongst the Eagles’ small forwards with the view they can push each other to greater heights during the 2022 campaign.
While underrated star Jamie Cripps (pectoral) will be sidelined early, there are a list of candidates to fill the breach.
The likes of slimmed-down Jamaine Jones, running machine Zac Langdon, second-year prospect Isiah Winder, recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton and Petruccelle are all in the mix to join All-Australian Liam Ryan and likely the returning Willie Rioli at the feet of the talls in attack.
“Competition is always good. Jamaine Jones – (he) has been awesome this pre-season – it’s always good to have that healthy competition,” Petruccelle told Sportsday WA.
“I just hope when given our chance we can all shine and play our good games this year.”
One of the summer standouts, Petruccelle appears primed to make a leap this season, as he did during his second year in the west following an excellent pre-season.
Petruccelle played 20 games and booted 21 goals in 2019, earning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after kicking five majors against Port Adelaide in round five that year.
But a nasty hamstring derailed his 2020 campaign, while nagging soft-tissue problems held him back from producing his best consistently last season, when he made 17 appearances and still kicked 16 goals – including a four-goal stunner against St Kilda.
Having worked hard on his fitness, the 22-year-old is aiming to have a more regular impact as he approaches the 50-game mark.
“To be honest when I first got to the club I obviously didn’t play too many in my first year, and then in the second year I got to play a few, but definitely in my first year I definitely didn’t think it (50 games) would come around this quick, if it would come around at all,” Petruccelle said.
“I’m excited for this year and hopefully I do get to play that at some stage.
“We’re all excited. The vibe around the club is very upbeat and obviously disappointed after not making the finals last year.
“Our aim every year is to go again and make finals, so we’re in the right space to give ourselves the best chance this year.
“Unfortunately we have lost a few soldiers, but training has been really good and it’s good to get into the game stuff now.
"We’ve got Freo coming up this week, so we’re all really excited to get into it.”