It was way back in January when veteran Will Schofield laid down a challenge to up-and-comer Josh Rotham.

Speaking on a sunny Wednesday morning as pre-season training was about to get seriously tough, Schofield was well aware Rotham was gunning for a similar spot in West Coast’s backline.

But the competitive beast who fought hard for games across his career was no chance of gifting his protégé a free ride into the side.

“I’ve been a young player as well, and you’ve got to earn your stripes,” Schofield told reporters.

“I see Joshy on a similar pathway to one I probably followed.

“The back half of last year showed he really matured as a player.

“I hope to see him really challenging for spots this year - whether that’s at my expense or others’ expense, that’s just the way footy goes.”

Renowned as a deep thinker and high IQ footballer, Schofield was prepared for what was coming - the evolution of West Coast’s defensive group.

The grizzled premiership veteran played 14 matches in 2019, but just four in his farewell campaign as the next generation continued to emerge.

Among them was Rotham, the versatile mid- sized backman capable of competing in the air with tall forwards and keeping a close check on crafty smalls.

From round 11 onwards the 22-year-old played every game, only losing his spot for the elimination final when he battled a bruised heel after the round 18 win over North Melbourne.

But it wasn’t just Rotham’s ability to string matches together that excited the fanbase and those around the club.

It was also his growing assuredness to back himself in the air and ability to work within the defensive system under backline coach Jaymie Graham’s watch.

In what might be looked back on as a coming of age moment in round 13, Rotham controlled the skies alongside  Jeremy  McGovern,  taking a game-high 11 marks – including five intercepts – as the Eagles’ backline held a surging Greater Western Sydney outfit at bay.

It was the type of marker a young player leaves early in their career that hints they have a bright future ahead.

And, fittingly, at the John Worsfold Medal presentation, Rotham joined an elite group of Eagles to claim the prestigious Emerging Talent Award, following in the footsteps of fellow backmen Liam Duggan, Tom Barrass and McGovern.

“From a personal point-of-view I think I can be pretty happy with my year,” Rotham said.

“I got 10 games under my belt. I had to earn my spot.

“Obviously, a pretty bizarre year with there being no second-tier comp, we had to get form through scratch matches and scrimmages at certain times.

“Getting in the team and getting some continuity was nice for sure.”

Since arriving at the club in 2016 as a rangy 79kg defender from West Perth, Rotham has added about nine kilograms to his frame.

He is increasingly capable of standing toe-to- toe with powerful forwards, but hasn’t lost the athletic traits the modern game demands.

However, like all young players, he has also had to learn his craft, and he has had excellent mentorship in areas such as opposition preparation and body work from the likes of All Australian duo Brad Sheppard and McGovern and, of course, Schofield.

“As soon as I walked in the door Schoey took me under his wing,” Rotham said.

“I played a lot of WAFL footy with Schoey as well, he taught me so much in my career and he’s just been an awesome teammate.

“He’s certainly got that competitive nature to him. When you ran out with Schoey you felt a bit taller.

“I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me in my short time at the club.

“I think in the long-term it (my role) will be something similar to Sheppy, doing a bit of tall and small and then if I need to do a (shutdown) role I’m happy to do that as well.

“I’ve been spending a fair bit of time with Shep this year just trying to sponge him, which has been really good.”

As Schofield and Lewis Jetta depart and warrior Shannon Hurn enters the twilight of  a wonderful  career,  the  gradual  transition of West Coast’s backline bodes well for the future.

Jackson Nelson shouldered greater responsibility as a distributor and played his most games in a season (15), while Tom Cole re-established himself after an up-and-down down year in 2019 following the highs of the premiership campaign.

Emerging leader Duggan took a significant step forward, breaking into the club champion top five for the first time and showing his future could be in the engine room, while developing tall Harry Edwards and half-back Luke Foley both made their debuts.

While spending multiple months based in hubs in south-east Queensland was challenging for many reasons, the opportunity for young players to be around their more experienced teammates and coaches 24/7 appears to have had a positive impact.

“I think in a sense for sure,” Rotham said.

“I think the boys got to know each other a bit better and what makes us tick. Not just being at the club, but the way we all live.

“You’re in each other’s space all the time. So you spend a fair bit of time together.

“Rotating a fair few players through (the backline) gave us a little bit of a glimpse of the future.

“Playing a few more games with Jacko and Coley has been really good, they’re two of my really close mates, and Duggo.

“I’ve kind of been learning a lot from them gameday about playing that high half-back role, so that’s been really good for myself.

“Then seeing guys like Foles and Harry Edwards get a game is really good, I’ve played a fair bit of WAFL footy with them.

“I think it’s been a really good year for the backline as a whole.”