Elijah Hewett Returns Unscathed in WAFL Practice Match, Eyes AFL Recall
West Coast Eagles young gun Elijah Hewett has successfully navigated his return from a quad injury, emerging unscathed from a WAFL practice match against Peel Thunder. The dynamic midfielder delivered an impressive performance that could bolster his chances for an AFL call-up, despite his team suffering a heavy 93-point defeat.
Hewett's Standout Performance Amid Team Struggles
In a game where the Eagles fielded only 23 players compared to Peel Thunder's 28, Hewett managed to find plenty of the football and showcased glimpses of his best form. His most notable moment came just before half-time, when he won a centre clearance and secured multiple hard balls in the ensuing chain of play. Although he took an errant kick to the face in the first term, he bounced back immediately without any apparent effects.
During the third and fourth quarters, Hewett shifted to a forward role and capped off his day by slotting his side's final goal. He received a handball on the run and snapped truly on his non-preferred left foot from near the 50-metre arc. He finished the game on the bench, with no signs of injury concern, marking a positive step in his recovery journey.
Team Support and Injury History
West Coast's WAFL captain, Callum Jamieson, praised Hewett's contribution, noting the boost his experience brings to the side. "Hewy was good, it was good to get him back on the track," Jamieson said. "We love getting experienced AFL boys back, Hewy's one of those. He's had a rough run with injury lately, but he's a super-talented player. When he's in our side, we're definitely a better side, so hopefully he stays around for a bit longer, but I'm sure a few more games like that and he'll be back in the ones."
The 21-year-old has faced a challenging start to his career, playing only 34 games across his first three AFL seasons due to a succession of injuries. After working to overcome a calf niggle in the off-season, he suffered a quad injury that sidelined him for the first two fixtures of the senior side's season, leading to his gradual return through the reserves.
Other Eagles Players in the WAFL Match
Elsewhere in the game, ruckman Bailey Williams continued his strong pre-season form by edging out high-profile recruit Mason Cox in the ruck battle before Cox made an early exit ahead of the second half. Midfielder Clay Hall was left down behind play after a big hit early in the third term but recovered with a brief spell on the bench and played out the rest of the match.
Defenders Tom Cole and Ryan Maric, both omitted from the senior side after a heavy loss to Gold Coast, found themselves under siege for much of the day, limiting their opportunities to showcase their skills. This match highlighted both individual recoveries and team challenges as the Eagles prepare for upcoming AFL fixtures.
