The West Coast Eagles WAFL side rounded out its pre-season by thumping a young East Fremantle side by 52 points at New Choice Homes Park on Saturday.
With premiership duo Will Schofield and Jamie Cripps making their returns to football alongside Xavier O’Neill and Jarrod Cameron after injury layoffs, the visitors burst out of the blocks with a five-goals-to-one opening term, setting up a match-winning lead and were never headed.
After keeping the home side to two goals during the second and third terms, the Eagles kicked away again in the final stanza to run out big winners.
Cripps worked hard during his game time to finish with 16 disposals, while Schofield played like a man ready for an AFL recall by racking up 18 possessions across half back.
O’Neill and Cameron, both on restricted minutes, finished with 12 and eight disposals respectively.
Big man Keegan Brooksby was simply unstoppable in the ruck, finishing with 29 disposals, seven marks, 15 clearances and five goals to be best afield.
Jarrod Brander responded strongly from his omission from the senior side by showing his versatility on a wing, finishing with 28 disposals, 12 marks and seven inside 50s.
Inside midfielders Matthew Allen (34 disposals), Brendon Ah Chee (33) and Brayden Ainsworth (33) also found plenty of the football.
Forward Jake Waterman (18 disposals, 10 marks, one goal), and dashing defender Josh Rotham (23 disposals, six marks) were also lively in the Eagles’ big win.
The West Coast Eagles will line up against the Perth Demons in the 2019 season-opener at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday, April 6 at 12.40pm.
