FREMANTLE'S first-year players have been stealing the headlines – and spots – from their more seasoned teammates this year, but Daniel Gilmore is mounting a case for the senior players. 

Gilmore topped off a productive month in the WAFL with 35 possessions against Subiaco in round 12.

The 26-year-old has played just twice for Fremantle this season, but development coach Steve Malaxos said the door was still open for the club's older players if they could string games together. 

"That's what we want them to do – we want them stringing together consistent performances and that's what Gilmore's done," Malaxos said. 

"The opportunity is sill there for everyone. A couple of weeks ago we brought in (Adam) Campbell, who's been at the club for five years – so the door's open for everyone.

"He (Gilmore) has shown in the past, that he's pretty good at WAFL level.

"He's probably getting close to his best form now, which is good because for a couple of weeks things weren't working for him."

Gilmore was Malaxos' best performer in the WAFL at the weekend, just shading young ruckman Zac Clarke, while Clayton Hinkley's first performance as a tagger was noteworthy. 

After being named as an emergency against Geelong, Tim Ruffles was also a standout in the state competition.

Malaxos said the added attention being heaped on Ruffles with his debut seemingly around the corner wasn't affecting him.

"The way that he went about it on Saturday indicates that he's handling it reasonably well," Malaxos said.

"He went back [to Perth] and he was able to keep his name at the forefront of selection, despite Perth getting smashed."

Ahead of Thursday's selection, Malaxos shared his WAFL notes with fremantlefc.com.au. 

Claremont 11.17 (83) d East Fremantle 10.9 (69)

Casey Sibosado
He had just four possessions playing half-forward and forward. He had opportunities to get more of the ball, so it's not like he wasn't involved in the play. But there were some marking contests he could have handled better and a couple of tackles that didn't stick, so he just needed to grasp his opportunities. He's getting in reasonable positions now, so when he's in marking contests he just needs to work on using his body more.

Chris Hall
He was reasonably effective as a winger and half-forward and in the last quarter he went into defence for the first time this year. He finished with 14 possessions and five tackles.

Brett Peake
He was a fair contributor for East Fremantle with 20 possessions. He had five clearances, which was pleasing from our perspective and he handled the ball quite well in the conditions. His work in close and in contested situations was pleasing, as was his attitude and enthusiasm for the game.

Ben Bucovaz (reserves)
Just nine touches from Ben. His last quarter was very good and when he was around the ball or had the ball he looked very classy. But he's still developing his fitness and conditioning after an eight-month lay-off.

South Fremantle 10.14 (74) def by Subiaco 15.12 (102)

Daniel Gilmore
He played pretty well with 35 possessions and Souths gave him their best player. He was watched pretty closely by Ben Randall from Subiaco but with his run and his work-rate he was able to accumulate possessions.   

Josh Head
Struggled early in defence on Blake Broadhurst and then he improved when he went up on the wing. He finished with 13 possessions, five marks and a goal, but gave away a few free kicks. 

Ryan Murphy
Started at full forward and couldn't get into the game. The delivery wasn't great and the conditions wouldn't have helped, but he did struggle early. He went better later in the game at centre half-forward and managed to kick a couple of goals, but he also worked a bit harder in that period. 

Swan Districts 18.7 (115) def Perth 8.21 (69)

Clayton Hinkley
We were pleased with his game. He had a run-with role on Steven Armstrong – the first time he's ever done that. He finished with 11 possessions and a goal, but we knew what the role was so we were judging him on that. It was a good challenge for him.

Tim Ruffles
He was an effective contributor for Perth, finishing with 18 possessions, six tackles and a goal. He played forward and back, and was quite effective in both of those roles. He's a right footer, but some of the disposal in this game on his left was quite good. 

Marcus Drum
Started pretty well at centre half-forward and was looking pretty lively and presenting well for Perth. He then got shifted into defence and had problems with Ash Hansen.

Brent Connelly (reserves)
Played ruck, forward and wing for Perth's reserves side and finished with 11 disposals and 16 hit-outs. He did some good things in the ruck, but we'd like to see more from him around the ground. If he played well he would have been a certainty to step up to league level, but we're still waiting for him to really hit his straps.     

East Perth 16.12 (108) def Peel 10.12 (72)

Zac Clarke
The first half was pretty quiet for Zac in atrocious conditions down at Margaret River. But in the second half he got on top in the ruck and had 21 hit-outs when Zach Beeck went off injured for Peel. He didn’t do a lot around the ground as far as gathering possessions, but his ruck work was pretty good. 

Hamish Shepheard
He went forward and worked pretty hard, but didn’t have a good day for East Perth with just four disposals and one mark. There was wind, rain and hail in Margaret River, so it wasn't a tall forward's day. He kept working away though.