A neck-and-neck race between Dom Sheed and Tom Cole had onlookers enthralled as West Coast players were put to the test in Friday’s 2km time trial.

Running in the final group, the pair battled it out on a morning when the temperature was set to soar above 40 degrees.

Cole set the pace heading into the final lap but Sheed switched on the afterburners along the back straight, overhauling his 2018 premiership teammate and holding off Cole’s late surge to claim the quickest time of the day.

Elite running half-forward Jamie Cripps was another to impress as he rounded out the podium places, with powerhouse tall Jack Darling looking in terrific condition in a strong run and emerging defender Luke Foley also performing well.

Several of the Eagles’ quality runners – including perennial time trial winner Andrew Gaff, plus dashing defenders Liam Duggan and Jackson Nelson – were absent on Friday due to quarantine restrictions but there were many impressive efforts just six weeks out from the first pre-season clash with St Kilda on February 19.