A fixture squeeze featuring five games in 19 days is ahead of West Coast and more than ever the Eagles could need to dive deep into their squad for reinforcements.

While 32 players have pulled on the blue and gold guernsey so far in 2020, those who have not been selected have played scrimmage matches against opposition reserves sides to stay match ready.

“The purpose of them (scrimmages) is to give our non-AFL players a hit-out,” WAFL Eagles and development coach Adrian Hickmott told westcoasteagles.com.au.

“At times it could be 15v15, 12v12, and on the weekend for example we only had nine players going into the scrimmage (against Hawthorn) through different reasons.

“Mark Nicoski and myself have spent a lot of time with the young kids over in Queensland and they have come together really well for next year’s WAFL.

“They’ve matured and understood what adversity looks like and feels like.

“So they’ve been resilient, they’ve loved the game and I think they’ve matured a lot over the last two months.”

Below, Hickmott details the form of a range of Eagles who have featured during scrimmage matches recently.

Hamish Brayshaw – “Is a workaholic. He works his butt off. He’s pushing up into the senior squad a few times and hopefully gets a game throughout the year with these shortened (break between) games.”

Harry Edwards – “He’s got a big heart. Played an AFL game, unfortunately got knocked out, missed a week and came back into the scrimmage on the weekend. Doesn’t look out of place in the scrimmage and hopefully will get back up in the AFL squad soon.”

Luke Foley – “Been playing half-back. He’s been probably one of the standouts from the younger guys, the way he’s matured, the way he sees the ball and reads the play – mark off oppo boot – and his skills. Looking for handball receives and in a couple of the scrimmages even having shots on goal, which is impressive.”

Tom Hickey – “Hickey’s just doing his job there. He’s biding his time to get back in the AFL side. He rucks and playing forward at the same time. A really good leader along with Vardy and (Will) Schofield.”

Mark Hutchings – “He’s working with the younger fellas to help them through their game and developing them. He’s pretty keen to make his way back into that AFL side as soon as possible.”

Callum Jamieson – “A young, raw kid. He has been playing forward and starting to have a go in the ruck now. Loves footy and has a real competitive streak about him, he doesn’t like to lose. We played him for three quarters down back on the weekend and he was impressive.”

Lewis Jetta – “Jetts was out of a little bit form so he stopped playing AFL for a little while, came back to the scrimmage and for the last three or four weeks in the scrimmage he’s been exceptional. Playing good footy, uses his skills as he knows how to and really enjoying footy.”

Xavier O’Neill – “Plays midfield most of the time and he’s looking sharp every time he goes out there. He’s got some good ruckmen around him which is (Tom) Hickey, (Bailey) Williams, (Nathan) Vardy. He’s getting his hands on the ball, working on his ruck-mid craft and starting to use the ball well.”

Will Schofield – “Has been excellent. The older guys have been sensational for our younger players and Will down back has helped Harry through that, as well as young Foley with his experience. Calm, composed down there. I’ve really liked his leadership.”

Anthony Treacy – “Playing mid and forward, showing signs every scrimmage. Looks exciting, then he’ll go missing, then look exciting again. We want his consistency to improve but apart from that he does some special things with the footy and brings other teammates into the game.”

Nathan Vardy – “He has ran through the ruck and he’s been playing forward but unfortunately got a big corkie on the weekend. Vardy’s form has been good. He’s tough and strong and stands above the rest when he gets going. Smashes packs and he’s an incredibly good leader for the younger fellas to look at, especially Callum Jamieson.”

Bailey Williams – “He’s been playing in the ruck but also forward. He’s showing stronger attributes in the contest pretty well most weeks he goes out and plays now. Getting over the ground well and starting to look really confident in the ruck, and also when he does go forward.”