He had a delayed start to his pre-season because of glandular fever. But Jordan Clark was showing no signs of sluggishness against West Coast and could be a real consideration for a Round One debut, after starring in the club’s 34-point loss at Leederville Oval. Clark wasn’t the only young gun to fire, however, with a handful of emerging Eagles also showing plenty of promise. Every game of every round of the 2019 AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. Get it all on Foxtel. Whispers of Clark’s impressive summer had been filtering out of Geelong since his arrival. And the No. 15 Pick didn’t disappoint on Friday night, particularly in the first half where he racked up nine disposals, including four intercept possessions and four marks. But it wasn’t just Clark’s disposal that stood out. The Western Australian product showed immense bravery to earn high praise from AFL great Garry Lyon. MORE AFL NEWS BACK ALREADY? PHOTO FUELS TALK OF EARLY MITCHELL RETURN NEW BLUES: CARLTON UNEARTH TWO NEW GEMS IN JLT ‘WE DON’T WANT THIS IN OUR GAME’: NEW RULE UNDER SPOTLIGHT “Jordan Clarke — their first round draft pick — going back with the flight of the ball to take a mark,” Lyon said on Fox Footy. “It’s the sort of thing that you know he’s got courage and he’s going to go when he has to. “But then he has skill on top of it, the confidence to back himself. “He’s rebounded the ball out of defensive 50 five times (in the first half), the equal most along with Tom Stewart.” Clark finished the match with 21 disposals — and with Zach Tuohy (knee) in doubt for the Cats’ opening fixture against Collingwood, Clark could make his debut under the MCG lights. Watch the JLT Community Series live on FOX FOOTY. Francis Watson looked right at home. Paul Kane/Getty Images Source: Getty Images Meanwhile, the Eagles weren’t without their own young stars. Oscar Allen booted three goals, while Jack Petruccelle showed flashes of brilliance. But it was 23-year-old Francis Watson — who remains uncapped after being on West Coast’s list since late 2016 — who really stood out. Watson racked up 17 touches, while also laying a match-high 10 tackles. He’ll be fighting the likes of Tom Cole and Brad Sheppard for a position when the real season kicks off. “He‘s interesting and I hope they continue to persevere and give him opportunity off halfback,” Lyon said. WEST COAST EAGLES 15.9.99 GEELONG CATS 8.17.65 Re-live the match in our blog below. If you can’t see the blog, tap here!<doc-sep>It only took until the second game of the pre-season for the new rules to create some confusion. Late in the first quarter of West Coast’s JLT Series fixture against Geelong, the Eagles were awarded a free kick at the centre bounce down, and sprinted forward to make the most of possession. But apparently, that’s against the rules now. WIN the ultimate WA footy fan experience! Register to play The Game tipping and fantasy before March 12 for your chance to win TWO PREMIUM RESERVED SEATS, including hospitality, at every AFL home and away game in Perth this season, with thanks to Thirsty Camel. Even after a free kick is paid at the bounce, players must stay with six in defence, six in the middle and six inside-50 until the free kick is taken. Communicating that to the players saw the game descend into farcical scenes, with a delay in play stretching towards the minute mark. “We don’t want 40 seconds of this,” commentator Garry Lyon said. “Maybe they will get better and quicker at it but we don’t want this in our game.” While the rule may take some getting used to, the result was as the AFL expected, with a one-on-one created inside forward 50 that resulted in a big grab to Eagles youngster Oscar Allen. But despite the outcome, the confusion raises a question about whether that particular element of the rule should remain, or whether a tweak is required before the regular season.<doc-sep>
The new 6-6-6 rule caused some confusion. One of the AFL’s new rules has already come into sharp focus, after a free kick from a centre bounce caused almost a minute’s delay in the first quarter between West Coast and Geelong. Umpires had to usher players back to their 6-6-6 starting formation, after the free kick was awarded, causing confusion and an awkward break in play. Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson suggested there was still some work to do with the rule, and the players’ understanding of it. Every game of every round of the 2019 AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. Get it all on Foxtel. “At first look I think they need to tinker with it,” Johnson said on Fox Footy. “If a free kick is given you should be able to move and go wherever you want on the field. We can’t have this at all.” MORE AFL NEWS BACK ALREADY? PHOTO FUELS TALK OF EARLY MITCHELL RETURN NEW BLUES: CARLTON UNEARTH TWO NEW GEMS IN JLT Once the players had returned to their 6-6-6 formation and the free kick was taken, West Coast swiftly moved the ball into its forward line, where Oscar Allen kicked a goal. It was exactly what the new rule was designed to do. Space was created, while defenders and forwards were left in one-on-one battles. Former Melbourne skipper Garry Lyon said the “means justified the ends, but we want the means to happen much quicker than we saw then”. “It’s a new rule and we’ve got to get used to this. “Maybe they’ll get better and quicker at it, but we don’t want this in our game.” Watch the JLT Community Series live on FOX FOOTY.