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Ames backs Simpson to play for WAFL as Rumble steps inTuesday, May 19, 2015 - 3:12 PM - by Chris Pike

TALLAN Ames' withdrawal from the WAFL squad opens the door for five-time premiership full-back Darren Rumble to again represent Western Australia while the Swan Districts skipper is desperately hoping a premiership teammate of his gets selected.

Ames has been forced to withdraw from the WAFL squad that will take on the SANFL this Saturday at Lathlain Park meaning the 31-year-old veteran of 219 matches won't get to add to his four previous matches for WA, and also potentially misses out on the chance to captain his State.

That opens the door for another veteran full-back with Subiaco's five-time premiership player Rumble called into the WA squad and now likely to play in the absence of Ames.

Rumble has now played 219 WAFL matches since making his debut back in 2003 and he is Subiaco's most successful player in the club's history having played in five premierships – in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2014.

The 30-year-old continues to be in tremendous form as a key defender for the league-leading Subiaco as well with Rumble having played all eight matches this season, and doing an outstanding job on the league's best key forwards.

On top of his five premierships and 219 WAFL games, Rumble has also previously represented the WAFL in four previous State matches but none since 2009.

Rumble made his State debut for WA in 2005 in a win over Queensland on the Gold Coast before again playing in 2006 in the WAFL's narrow loss to South Australia in Adelaide.

He again lined up in 2008 for a win over Queensland in Townsville and then his final appearance was the one-point drought breaking win over the SANFL at Medibank Stadium.

Rumble now looks a near certain selection for a fifth appearance for WA in the absence of Ames and he will likely be joined in the defensive unit for the Black Swans with Ames' Swan Districts teammate Simpson.

Simpson has been unlucky to not have previously represented WA during his 144-game career with Swan Districts that began back in 2006.

The first half of his career was spent as a forward and he kicked five goals from centre half-forward in the 2010 preliminary final win over East Perth a week before Swans went on to win the premiership.

However, the last three years now has seen him cement his position as a defender and he has been one of the best in the competition in his role of playing on an opponent, but also being the third man up in contests where he has outstanding at reading the play and marking strongly.

Simpson's kicking sills coming out of the back-line are also outstanding making him a key player in the Swan Districts line-up, and someone who Ames believes should certainly be picked to represent the WAFL this Saturday against the SANFL at Lathlain Park.

"If there is one guy who has been on the chopping block more often than not, it is Justin and we see his great stuff at club level and I dare say that's why he has been put into the squad at State level," Simpson said.

"Sometimes it comes down to match ups and even though Sim does play tall, I suppose that potentially there could be other match ups more appropriate in previous years.

"But he has been in super form, his disposal has been elite at the half-back line, the way he's been controlling and negating from the back-line has been super."

Meanwhile, Ames has been understandably happy with his strong form in the defence for Swan Districts this season and would have enjoyed the chance to represent WA again, but has been forced to withdraw to make sure he's right to play Perth at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday May 30.

"It's been pretty good. I've been able to have some pretty consistent football up against some quite potent forward-line players. A couple of have sort of got off the chain, but I just go out and be as consistent as I can, and I enjoy being out there and negating whoever I am placed on," Ames said.

"Having an extra chronological year on the tally usually means that you take it when the opportunity for rest comes around, but opportunity to represent your State don't come around very often and I would have loved to play.

"I do have some pretty terrible memories from over the years, but I do have some good memories like my initial State game against South Australia when we got belted at Adelaide Oval and we've had some great wins over Queensland, the NEAFL and the Vics in Northam.

"Having the opportunity to be able to put another notch, and hopefully a win, in the State cabinet would be honourable but unfortunately I won't be able to be out there."