Young defender Rhett Bazzo is focused on continuing to improve after an impressive debut against Geelong on Saturday.
Addressing the media at West Coast headquarters, Bazzo described relishing the opportunity under the intense atmosphere of the elite level of AFL football.
"It was good to get that one away I feel like it was a good experience playing on a few boys like Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins, it was really good for my development and just awesome to get a taste of AFL footy."
The Swan Districts product held superstar Jeremy Cameron goalless and was required to shoulder more of the load after an injury to all-Australian key back Jeremy McGovern.
"He is an all-Australian player, so quality and we had to adjust a few things and move some players around but I think we covered that pretty well and were competitive without him."
Bazzo has enjoyed an array of experienced veterans incl using premiership defenders to learn from.
"You have the likes of Hurn, McGovern and Barrass, they really set a good pathway to set for us young kids and show that if you work hard you can have a good career."
While Bazzo won't get ahead of himself, he will be ready for any chance thrown his way in the second half of the 2022 season.
"A lot can happen but I am hoping so."
The capacity to introduce opportunities to young players on the Eagles list has been the upside of a season thrown into turmoil in the early rounds by the advent of COVID and injuries.
Bazzo was the 14th player to make his club debut this season and by joining Dom Sheed, who played his first game for the year, created a record 45 players used to date. The Eagles have not had 14 players debut since the inaugural season of 1987.
Among those to have tasted senior football this season are fellow 2021 draftees Brady Hough, Jack Williams and Greg Clark. The only player from the class of ‘21 who has not played is top selection Campbell Chesser who has been sidelined for the year by an ankle injury.
