Midfield options abound for the West Coast Eagles match committee as it takes a look forward to this week’s important contest with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

It seems that every week the stakes are high and the selection panel is always looking for the right mix. With that in mind, those players on the periphery of the team continue to put their hand up, seeking an opportunity.

Tom Swift and Koby Stevens, young midfielders who have been given an opportunity in recent weeks before being released back to WAFL duties, continue to push hard for re-inclusion.

So, too, do Chris Masten, Bradd Dalziell, Jordan Jones, Brad Sheppard, Mitch Brown and Brett Jones.

It’s one of the benefits of abbreviated injury list  and a valid reason for the club’s strong performance this year, but it does serve to frustrate those in good WAFL touch seeking to play at the elite level.

Swift was probably best afield, with a 31-possession performance for Claremont on the weekend, while teammate Brett Jones continues to play a key, steadying role for the Tigers in the back half where his experience and poise is influential.

Gerrick Weedon, playing in both defence and attack, was also a strong contributor, along with Lewis Stevenson, who had 21 possessions and 10 marks from half-back.

Lewis Broome and Anton Hamp played in the reserves match, with Broome racking up 19 possessions and a goal, while Hamp was close to best afield with 10 marks and five goals, playing largely at centre half-forward.

Peel was again well served in the seniors by Jordan Jones who continues to excel through the midfield, while Scott Lycett was prepared to work hard for his impact deep forward.

East Fremantle won a nail-biter against East Perth and the West Coast contingent, led by Stevens, was at the core of the victory.

Typically, Stevens won plenty of hard ball around the contests among his 27 touches, while Masten, playing largely as a high half-forward, had 26 possessions, eight marks and six tackles to offer a reminder of his attributes.

Dalziell had 30 disposals on a wing and won a lot of contested ball, while Tim Houlihan also made a worthy contribution with 22 disposals and finished off his work with two important goals.

Mitch Brown was a pillar of strength at full-back and Brad Sheppard also offered strong rebound out of defence, along with Jacob Brennan, who played at centre half-back and continues to blossom. The club’s medical staff will closely monitor a shoulder injury which is not expected to keep Brown out of action next week.

For East Perth, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls continues to build on his form after a horror start to the year with an ankle fracture. He had 17 possessions, eight marks and seven tackles in a strong and consistent effort at half-forward and in a forward pocket.

The only downside on a big weekend for the club is a glute strain for half-forward Andrew Strijk in the first quarter of West Perth’s upset defeat at the hands of Perth.