Eagles' Chris Masten faces nervous wait - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Eagles' Chris Masten faces nervous wait

Justin Chadwick 19/09/2011 07:29:27 PM Comments (0)

West Coast midfielder Chris Masten faces a nervous few days as he anxiously waits to find out whether he's done enough to hold his spot for Saturday's AFL preliminary final against Geelong at the MCG.

Masten had a quiet game in last week's semi-final win over Carlton, tallying just 13 possessions before being subbed out to Bronx cheers in the final quarter.

The 22-year-old said intense competition for spots within West Coast's camp had helped drive the team's successful season.

But that competition could cost Masten his spot as the likes of Brad Ebert, Ash Smith, Ashton Hams and Matt Rosa push hard for recalls.

"I don't think I ever feel really safe," Masten said on Monday.

"It's amazing competition, we've got pretty much a full list to choose from.

"So the coaches might have a bit of a headache, which is good for the side.

"You can't rest on your laurels."

Masten, taken with pick No.3 in the 2007 national draft, gathered 31 possessions and booted three crucial goals in a match-winning effort against Brisbane four weeks ago.

But his knack of turning the ball over has proved costly at times this season; a major flaw in his game that could cost him a preliminary final berth.

However, Masten hopes he's done enough to secure a spot in what would be the biggest game of his career to date.

"It's a bit nerve racking I suppose," he said.

"I've never experienced anything like this at all.

"Even in junior footy I didn't really get to too many finals, so it's really exciting."

Masten said West Coast's 20-point qualifying final loss to Collingwood a fortnight ago gave the young team crucial experience of how to handle the atmosphere of a packed MCG.

"The first time I think a lot of the boys were maybe a little bit overawed," Masten said.

"(We) couldn't hear a thing and didn't look at options that you normally might go to because you just couldn't hear it.

"So I'm sure the experience from last time will be really good for us this week."

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