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.