Eagles recruit Jack Graham says young gun Elijah Hewett can only get better after an outstanding performance against Essendon last weekend.
The 20-year-old midfielder was welcomed back into the side after a calf issue, and appeared to be on
track for a quiet game, registering just five touches in the first half.
However in the second half, he found his groove to finish on 22 disposals – 12 contested, and two goals, showing positive signs of what his future holds.
Speaking to SportFM ahead of this weekend’s clash, Graham says he was impressed with Hewett’s come back in the second half.
“Hewey, he’s an animal,” he said.
“The thing that we’re most proud about is he had a bit of a rough first quarter or second quarter, and then was just able to turn the switch in the second half and really ignite up,” he said.
“He’s a talented player, he’s got all the skill and he’s so powerful. I think he’s only just going to get better and better as the year goes on. He’s very handy to have out there.”
Graham and Hewett were part of an improved midfield unit, with Graham collecting 24 disposals, six tackles and four clearances of his own, while Tim Kelly finished on 22 touches.
West Coast almost secured their first win of the season against Essendon, but let the chance slip away in the final quarter.
Despite the heartbreaking two-point loss, Graham says it was a step forward for his side.
“It was just a more competitive brand of football that we wanted to be playing, really. We gave ourselves an opportunity to win, and that’s what we need to do,” he said.
“It really started off the back of our defence. That kind of got our offence up and going.
“Disappointed not to get the win, but at least that’s a huge step forward for the way we want to play our footy for the rest of the year.”
The Eagles head to Marvel Stadium this Sunday to play Hawthorn, a clash with plenty of underlying tension.
This tension started when coach and former Eagles assistant Sam Mitchell’s Hawks poached vice-captain and defender Tom Barrass, and appearing to attempt something similar with captain Oscar Allen after a heavily publicised coffee catch up earlier this season.
Graham anticipates it will be a tough game and is keen to back up last weekend’s performance.
“That kind of footy and the way we were connected and that feeling of putting ourselves in the game to win, that’s what we’ve got to be able to do every weekend and go one step further and hopefully get that win,” he said.
“It’s going to be a tough game against Hawthorn. They’re a great opposition, but again, if we play the brand and the style of footy that we want to play, I think it’s backed up.