As the West Coast Eagles match committee analyses its options for this week’s qualifying final against Collingwood, it would appear there is only one possible opening.

With defender Ashley Smith being subbed out of the game with a tight hamstring, the selection panel might need to search for a replacement. And if that is the case, a number of players are poised and ready to play.

Will Schofield, who missed last weekend’s rout of Adelaide, should be available after surgery to a fractured cheekbone, while rookie defender Jacob Brennan, his East Fremantle teammates Brad Sheppard and Mitch Brown, and Claremont’s Lewis Stevenson are all ready if the opportunity arises.

Brennan, the son of dual premiership vice-captain Michael Brennan, continues to evolve in the second tier, while Sheppard has been in solid touch for the Sharks.

East Fremantle lost a virtual elimination final against South Fremantle last Saturday but Brennan, Sheppard and Brown, a taller option in the back half if required, were all strong contributors.

Stevenson, who has not played a senior game this year, had 22 touches and six marks in a commanding performance off half-back for the Tigers against East Perth.

Schofield will be assessed by the medical staff and would expect to be at the front of the queue should the match committee need or wish to change the structure, having played 20 of the 22 qualifying rounds.

Jordan Jones, another defender who has not been given an opportunity this year, was also under notice for Peel. He had 19 touches and five marks against Subiaco and has this season shown his versatility through the midfield.

When Claremont accounted for East Perth, Tom Swift again excelled through the midfield with 26 possessions and three tackles, while Gerrick Weedon did not measure up to his best form earlier in the season, but still had 11 touches and finished his day off with a goal.

Lewis Broome, Anton Hamp and Jeremy McGovern all played reserves for Claremont with varying impact. Hamp was probably the pick of them with three goals, while McGovern showed another string to his bow by playing in the ruck and Broome had 13 disposals.

The Fremantle derby also featured Tim Houlihan, who did not impact the match as he would have desired, though he did lay eight tackles, while Bradd Dalziell had 27 possessions and Koby Stevens worked hard for his 18 touches.

Callum Wilson kicked three goals for the Bulldogs and spent part of the game opposed to Brown.