WAFL

Alex Forster (SD) 11 disposals (7 kicks, 4 handballs) 
Alex played Swan Districts reserves as the highest defender. He looked comfortable and worked himself into position to receive the switch kick at every opportunity. We were pleased with his positioning and his bodywork against opponents. He is improving as the weeks go on which is a positive.

Peter Faulks (PT) 22 disposals (10 kicks, 12 handballs) 8 marks 
Peter played key back where he controlled his opponents well and then had a defensive forward assigned to him to attempt to limit his rebound. His positioning, ability to win one on ones and win the ground ball were positives of his game. He showed great change of direction and attempted to play on often.

Alex Silvagni (C) 15 disposals (8 kicks, 7 handballs) 6 marks 
Alex played in defence on both small and tall forwards. He was opposed Brent LeCras for a large part of the game. He controlled most of his opponents and attempted to come off them and help his teammates where possible. On a day when West Perth only had 33 inside 50s, Alex had less defensive work to do, but his use was generally good and there were some strong efforts in the contests.

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The WA Football Commission has brought in a professional facilitator in a bid to broker a compromise between West Coast, Fremantle and WAFL clubs over the deadlocked AFL reserves team issue.

Consultants Robert Radley and Stuart Love from management consultancy Bain and Company will chair a summit of WA football stakeholders next Monday in what WAFC chief executive Gary Walton yesterday termed a “line-in-the-sand” bid to progress debate on the issue.

The AFL and WAFL clubs remain deadlocked on their positions in the debate.

The Eagles and Dockers are adamant they will proceed until they get reserves teams in some form.

“The future of both our clubs depends on the strength of all our players and not just the 22 playing AFL. This is not something that is going to go away,” West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett said yesterday.

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Fremantle assistant and senior development coach Simon Lloyd says the club is keen to see Jesse Crichton demand the ball more in the WAFL.

Crichton was the WAFL Player of the Round for his solid effort in Peel Thunder’s loss to East Perth.

“The big thing for Jesse is that he demands the football and gets used a lot more,” Lloyd said.

“He has shown over the last couple of weeks that he is playing with a lot of energy and drive, and before too long, he will force himself back into senior contention.”

Lloyd said the club was pleased that Peel was giving the Tasmanian time in the midfield.

“Peel has been great in playing Jesse as an inside-mid,” he said.

“They are giving him plenty of opportunities and he is showing a real appetite to work hard on the training track at the moment.

“His running numbers have been very good and that’s transferring into his game.”

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Among his 34 possessions for East Fremantle last weekend, WAFL Player of the Round Cam Sutcliffe gave a glimpse of his ability with a brilliant goal from outside 50 on his opposite left foot from a standing start.

Freo assistant and senior development coach Simon Lloyd said Sutcliffe’s goal was one highlight in an impressive game from the 20-year-old South Australian.

“It interesting because I asked him about that goal and he said he hadn’t had a go at kicking on his non-preferred for a while,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd said Sutcliffe’s versatility and preparedness to do the team thing were features of his game.

“It’s really good to have a player that can play on the wing who is very team orientated,” he said.

“Cam thinks a lot about where he needs to run defensively so he can help the team out, but the big thing about his game on the weekend was how hard he worked forward to get dangerous.

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