Despite being caught up in a seven-game losing streak, Dunsborough’s Reuben Ginbey is continuing to put in the hard yards with another impressive midfield performance.
In the midst of West Coast’s disappointing 16.17 (113) to 6.7 (43) loss to Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Friday, the former Dunsborough Shark put up a solid performance playing on Matt Rowell to be named among the Eagles’ best of the night.
Mainly sighted in the centre circle and attending 14 centre bounces, Ginbey managed 16 tackles — just one behind Rowell’s game-high 17 — along with 12 disposals, a mark, two intercept possessions, a score involvement, 33 pressure acts, five clearances and three inside 50s.
The 18-year-old’s strong tackling performance in just his ninth game at AFL level left him just two short of West Coast’s record set by Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis.
Following the match, Ginbey told PerthNow he was still loving playing at AFL level despite his team not getting favourable results.
“If I’m out playing footy I’m the happiest guy and to be playing AFL has always been my dream,” he said.
“Obviously we haven’t been getting the results we want, but I’m still loving it.”
Meanwhile, Harvey-born teammate Brady Hough made his return from injury, putting in a modest effort within the half forward line.
Hough finished with six disposals, three marks, six tackles, an intercept possession, a score involvement, 17 pressure acts and an inside 50.
Elsewhere, former Manjimup Tigers junior Marlion Pickett put in a solid effort in Richmond’s 16.6 (102) to 11.12 (78) win over reigning premiers Geelong at the MCG.
Pickett managed seven disposals, a mark, two goal assists, three score involvements, eight pressure acts and four inside 50s.
On Saturday, former HBL Lion Ethan Hughes and Busselton’s Jye Amiss both featured in Fremantle’s 16.7 (103) to 13.8 (86) win over Sydney at the SCG.
Amiss put up a solid showing in the forward line, booting 2.1 along with racking up nine disposals, five marks, a tackle, five score involvements, six pressure acts and an inside 50.
Hughes also booted a goal of his own during the second quarter and managed nine disposals, four marks, three tackles, two intercept possessions, a score involvement, eight pressure acts and an inside 50.