Ben Bucovaz and Brent Connelly have both been missing with hip injuries and played their first games for the season in the WAFL reserves. Development coach Steve Malaxos said both played a half of football each, which was a positive first step.
Broughton returned to Subiaco for his first game since injuring his ankle on debut for Fremantle a month ago, and with a polished performance onball and across half-back he shot back into AFL calculations.
While those three got through their first games unscathed, key position prospect Casey Sibosado may have his anticipated debut at league level slightly delayed.
Sibosado played well up to half time for Claremont's reserves but injured his groin. Malaxos said the 18-year-old would be managed ahead of this week's WAFL fixtures.
"He played a reasonably good half but then hurt his groin – so we'll have to wait and see if he's going to be available," Malaxos said.
"That sort of threw a curveball at us. Ideally he plays well and comes through unscathed, but now we've got a bit of a groin injury to manage.
"I certainly don't want him to play his first game for Claremont with a slight injury so we'll manage that ahead of the weekend."
Ahead of Thursday's selection, Malaxos shared his WAFL notes with fremantlefc.com.au.
Subiaco 15.17 (107) d East Fremantle 8.9 (57)
Greg Broughton: He was pretty good for Subi with 25 touches and a goal. Played half-back and on-ball. For someone who missed three weeks he was very tidy and efficient with his disposal, so he played quite well. That puts him back in the selection mix.
Andrew Foster: He was going reasonably well until he hurt his ankle half way through the third quarter. Andrew was playing as an attacking midfielder and kicked two goals from his eight touches. He should be right for this week but will face a fitness test.
Chris Hall: He had a pretty quiet game for East Freo with just the 10 possessions. He found it difficult to have an influence in a side that was well beaten.
Perth 10.10 (70) lost to Claremont 13.21 (99)
Ben Bucovaz (reserves): First game for Ben in Perth's reserves, and he only played a half. He went in quite hard, used the ball well when he got it and kicked a goal. But really just toe in the water stuff for Ben, he's got a few weeks in the twos to go.
Brent Connelly (reserves): That was his first game at the Demons, too. So he just played the first half. He took a really good one-handed mark, kicked a goal and won a few centre-bounce hit-outs, but he needs a few more games in the twos as well.
Casey Sibosado (reserves): Casey doesn't need any more time in the twos – he's ready for senior selection at Claremont. He was playing quite well but he hurt his groin, which hampered him, so we'll just have to wait and see if he's available for the seniors this week.
Swan Districts 18.12 (120) d East Perth 12.9 (81)
Clancee Pearce: Another solid game across half-back with 18 possessions and four marks for Swans. He's become a steady contributor. I'd go so far as to say he's become one of their good defenders. No doubt the consistency he's shown has him in the selection mix at Freo.
Michael Walters: A little bit quieter this week with 13 touches for Swans. When he got the ball he was very dangerous, but he had less output overall. He didn't kick a goal, but that's only one part of his game, we need him more involved generally.
Zac Clarke: Played well and we were pretty happy with how he went for East Perth. He got 17 touches, which is the most he's had and he really works hard for his touches. He probably broke even at the centre square, got beaten around the ground for hit-outs but got more of the ball than his opponent.
Hamish Shepheard: Did some good things, so it was a good start but he's a got a way to go. He had only played one-and-a-half games in the reserves after being injured pre-season, so he was a bit of a surprise league selection. But East Perth seems pretty keen to play all its kids this year.
Peel Thunder 12.8 (80) lost to West Perth 19.16 (130)
Adam Campbell: A little bit better from Adam this week with two goals for West Perth. He took a couple of good contested marks and applied a little bit more pressure in the forward line. So a step forward but he's still short of his best.
Kepler Bradley: Not too bad from Kepler. He playing on the ball, some ruck and also pushed forward, so he was a solid contributor for West Perth. He's still in consideration for the back-up ruckman role at Freo; we're also looking at him to play wing or half-forward.
