West Coast recruit Jack Graham praises youngsters after strong match simulation against Richmond

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West Coast recruit Jack Graham praises youngsters after strong match simulation against Richmond

West Coast midfielder Jack Graham has praised a trio of young Eagles after impressive performances against Richmond in match simulation on Monday morning.

The Eagles easily defeated the young Tigers by 36 points at Mineral Resources Park, despite the absence of several stars including Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo, Harley Reid, Jeremy McGovern and Jake Waterman.

It opened the door for several younger Eagles to shine including Tyrell Dewar, Jack Hutchinson and Elijah Hewett who all earned praise from Graham.

Dewar and Hutchinson are battling for a spot on the wing opposite former Melbourne speedster Jayden Hunt and both had solid moments.

Hutchinson was competitive on the ground and showed pace on the wing, while Dewar tried to take two spectacular marks and kicked an incredible running goal from 50m out from a centre clearance.

“Dewar was pretty exciting today. Watching him take almost a few hangers,” Graham said.

“Hutch does some exciting things and Elijah Hewett, he hasn’t played a heap of footy. He’s had a solid pre-season and it was good to see him get some reward today.

“He loves working hard and loves the contest, so I’m glad he’s on my team this year.”

Arguably the biggest bolter from the pre-season is top draftee Bo Allan who is firming for a round-one debut.

The teenager did not look out of place against the Tigers while playing across half-back alongside Reuben Gibney and Jack Graham.

“Bo’s had a great first pre-season, he’s a classy half-back,” Graham said.

“Even in the midfield he could play so he’s definitely putting his hand up to play round one.”

After a tense first term the Eagles broke the game open in the second term when they booted six unanswered goals.

Camera IconElijah Hewett had an impressive outing. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

It was on back of forward half-turnovers which is set to become the new norm for West Coast under first-year coach Andrew McQualter.

“We want to keep it a front-half game as most AFL teams do,” Graham said.

“The longer we can do that hopefully it puts us in good stead to win a few games.

“Mini (McQualter) wants everyone to bring that ferocity and intensity but I think that’s how me and Bakes (Liam Baker) play.”

Graham said the Eagles “slacked” off in the third term when the Tigers were able to draw back on the scoreboard.

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Camera IconJack Hutchinson impressed. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Towards the end of the third quarter, we slacked off a little bit, they were able to get through us through the corridor. We want to close that down and just finish off,” he said.

“This week I think we’ve got four quarters (in intraclub) and then North Melbourne (we’ve got) four quarters, so playing four strong quarters of the Eagles’ brand of football.

“I reckon there was a lot of good stuff coming out of today. You can’t always look at the negative stuff.”

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