An epic final for everyone not wearing purple
Fyfe signs off, the buzziest team in WA football delivers again, why you should be scared of South Fremantle and a heartwarming A-Grade flag.
Hi friends.
Tough pill to swallow at the weekend. How is it that every year you forget that hollow feeling when your footy team has played its last game for the year? More on that soon.
In better news, the mighty SNESA footy club has made the grand final in the C5 ressies. It’s the club’s fifth grand final in nine years. We’re yet to win one. It would be nice if that streak ended this weekend.
Righto then. Football.
Today’s newsletter includes: The Nat Fyfe finale, the buzziest team in WA football, the biggest W derby yet, scary South Fremantle, a Tigers spearhead going nuts again, and a heartwarming A-Grade flag.
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AFL
So Nat Fyfe has played his final game. It was a fitting encore at the end of a classic final, with one final pack mark to send him on his way. The man has withstood setback after setback for years, and even got a final scare when he hurt his ankle during the week. The game will be poorer without him playing it. I’ve already reflected on his career post-announcement, but worth noting again. I’m excited to see what he does next.
For everyone who doesn’t go for Fremantle, it was a final for the ages. For those in purple, it was a cruel blow at the end of an enjoyable season. In the end Gold Coast were better for longer and several Dockers had moments where they didn’t rise to the occasion. Matt Rowell was at the drop of every ball and Caleb Serong was his equal the other way. But the Suns’ bottom six was better than Freo’s. A long offseason awaits.
A moment to recognise Dave Swallow. My first job in footy was with the WAFC while I was at uni, writing stories about a WA under-16 team featuring Swallow, Jack Darling and Reece Conca amongst others. Swallow was a star then on and off the field. Injury and being drafted to the Suns meant he was never able to live up to his potential, but I’m really glad he got that moment.
I understand people pushing back when I say this is the best West Coast season in years - but I stand by it. The top three in their best and fairest backs up my point - Liam Baker, Reuben Ginbey and Harley Reid. It’s a podium that points to the future, the kids have taken the reins and the only way is up.
AFLW
The West Coast women are the buzziest team in WA football right now. In their second season under Daisy Pearce, the Eagles - currently going by Waalitj Marawar - are 3-1 and just one win away from equalling their best-ever season. They beat the Power at the weekend with their second fourth-quarter surge in as many games. When things get tight late, they go up a gear. It’s brilliant to watch.
Welcome back Courtney Rowley. The Waalitj Marawar midfielder was on the rise before being struck down with an ACL injury at the end of 2023. She returned late last year and has been steady ever since, but she exploded against Port Adelaide in an expanded midfield role. She kicked a goal, had 27 disposals, seven tackles and seven clearances to be best afield. They just keep finding them.
Over at Walyalup (Fremantle) it was a far better performance than the past fortnight, but the same result. The Dockers took it up to Sydney on the road for three of the four quarters, but when their pressure drops off the good teams are taking advantage.
At least Mim Strom had her best game for the season. The All-Australian was enormous in the ruck with 26 touches, 11 clearances and 7 tackles.
This all makes for a captivating Western Derby next week - the Eagles have never won one, but they’ll go in strong favourites.
WAFL
It’s going to take something special to stop South Fremantle holding up the trophy this year. The Bulldogs trampled East Perth with 19 scoring shots to five. Jake Florenca in particular is on a hot streak. He’s driven the Dogs from the midfield with 31, 32 and 36 in his past three games. Hamish Free also got the better of Scott Jones in the ruck which doesn’t happen often. So. Many. Weapons.
East Perth may have had a day to forget, but they earned their second chance against Claremont next week.
The Tigers got there by ending the Demons’ finals dream in resounding fashion. It helps when Sandover medallist Bailey Rogers has one of his best games of the year. It’s been tough going for Rogers at times in 2025, but the veteran kicked two goals from 27 touches and looms as a massive threat this weekend. Alec Waterman matched his best haul for the season as well, with four goals.
I’ll be shocked if we don’t see Perth back in finals next year. This looks like a sustainable build. Good for the comp.
WAFL COLTS
Cody Curtin kicks goals in colts. The Claremont spearhead steered his side into the preliminary final with another five-goal haul against West Perth. It takes his tally to 20.7 from six colts games this season. Where he sits in the overall draft picture is another story - but he’s doing everything he can at this level.
West Coast father-son chance Charlie Banfield had his second great final in a row with 25 touches, while his younger brother Harper was also in the best for Claremont with 19 and a goal.
When the ground is a mudpit and it won’t stop raining, expect Lucas Robinson to fire. The Souths midfielder and Freo NGA member led the Bulldogs straight into the grand final with 35 touches and 12 tackles in a win over the Sharks. His form in the colts and for Hale in the PSA has been unreal, and getting better as the year goes on. Defender Lucas Cattalini deserves a shout-out as well.
Claremont will now take on East Fremantle for the right to face Souths at Optus Stadium the following weekend.
PERTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Congratulations to University for taking out the A-Grade women’s flag at the weekend. It’s a fitting result for a side who lost a grand final in heartbreaking fashion - double overtime in fact - a few seasons ago. Special nod to friend of the newsletter Eliza Reilly, who was concussed in that loss and eventually made the call to stop playing because of repeated head knocks. She’s since become assistant coach and was right in the thick of the celebrations. How good.
That’s the lot for today. Thanks again for reading and for paid subscribers, we’ll be back again with another feature later in the week.
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Catch you next week.