A real signal or just winging it?
Jye Amiss experiments with a new role, bad news for an Eagles young gun and the best young WAFL players to watch this year.
G’day friends and happy Tuesday - welcome back to your weekly wrap of everything you need to know in WA football.
Congratulations are in order to the Perth Scorchers after (another) dominant win in the Big Bash League final. West truly is best.
For the regulars around here, yes this is a day later than usual because of the public holiday (also your author’s birthday) - do not be alarmed.
For the new faces who jumped on board last week - and there were plenty of you - thanks again and welcome. Tell your friends!
And for all of you AFL Fantasy heads - it’s live for 2026 and there is no better investment you can make in your game than signing up to Moreira’s Magic. Do yourself a favour.
In today’s letter: The role which could unlock Jye Amiss, Dockers SSP movement, Jake Waterman not missing a beat, an unlucky Eagles youngster and Perth signing another W gun.
Alright, let’s get stuck in.
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FREMANTLE
You can take a lot of pre-season positional switches with a grain of salt - Luke Jackson was back in the ruck last week, for instance - but the Jye Amiss wing experiment might be real. The Dockers opened the doors suring some match sim late last week and Amiss was one of the talking points. He was able to use his running capacity to get goalside and kick a couple early, which boosted his confidence when he was pushed forward later. He needs to find more pill, this could be how he does it.
Mature-aged recruit Tobyn Murray caught the eye last week as well. The 20-year-old small forward from Geelong’s VFL program played high half-forward and used the ball well. He even shrugged off Josh Treacy at one point. Looks like he’ll be ready to go if called on.
Chris Scerri appears to be the last man standing in the race for Freo’s open SSP spot. Another small forward with lightning pace, who rose from obscurity over the past 12 months.
This passage of play is January gold:
Fremantle Dockers@freodockersSweidy’s efforts, Bruce’s smarts. loved this passage of play 👌 #foreverfreo2:16 AM · Jan 23, 2026 · 10.6K Views2 Replies · 3 Reposts · 72 Likes
WEST COAST
Elijah Hewett is battling a minor calf issue. Not great for anyone, but super not great for a dynamic mover who has struggled to stay on the park. Still, everyone thought it was far worse when he stormed off the track earlier in the week. Small mercies.
Speaking of injuries, there’s a fella named Jake Waterman who is on his way back from one. All reports indicate he’s looking elite. He took Reuben Ginbey back to school in match sim and will be a very welcome inclusion come round one.
Tom McCarthy as a midfielder could be the most exciting part of West Coast’s early rounds. Yet to see it in a competitive match obviously, but watch closely over the pre-season fixtures.
STATE OF ORIGIN
It’s sneaked up a bit, this fixture, but it’s only a couple of weeks away now. Here are the WA players already announced, with more to come: Callum Ah Chee
Liam Baker, Tom Barrass, Shai Bolton, Charlie Cameron, Darcy Cameron, Jordan Clark, Patrick Cripps, Mitch Georgiades, Bradley Hill, Jesse Hogan, Lawson Humphries, Luke Jackson, Rory Lobb, Aaron Naughton, Kysaiah Pickett, Wil Powell, Trent Rivers, Brandon Starcevich, Sam Taylor, Chad Warner.Tickets are sold out but it will be live on 7 and Kayo.
Wait and see on Baker and Starcevich, both have been easing their way through training at the Eagles.
WAFL
This is a great wrap up of the young talent to watch in this season’s WAFL competition. Jordan McCardle at his best. Tyler Lindberg at East Perth is one I’m tipping for a breakthrough year and I’m keen to see what Jovan Petric can do at Swan Districts.
Another week, another big signing at Perth. This time their WAFLW program has picked up another gun out of the AFLW - Richmond’s Katelyn Cox.
That’s the lot for today. Thanks again for reading.
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