Book the bus and all that
Best since Carey, how did Jobe slip, and the highlights from the ATCO WAFLW.
G’day people!
Until Melbourne came from behind to beat the Blues yesterday, the two WA sides occupied 25% of the top eight. Who would have predicted that?
Yes, the ladder is all over the shop. And yes, the eight is actually a 10 this year. But it’s still pretty good OK, stop trying to suck the joy out of it!
In today’s newsletter: Treacy has sticky mitts, somebody should have picked Jobe earlier, showtime Shai, and Henry’s Swans make a statement in the ATCO WAFLW.
Let’s get stuck in.
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FREMANTLE
Fremantle 13.35 (103) def Richmond 6.7 (43)
The best hands since Wayne Carey. That’s what David King had to say about Josh Treacy after he took 12 marks in a best-on-ground performance against the Tigers. Watch it back and, in this game at least, it’s hard to argue.
Shai Bolton may be Fremantle’s best midfielder this season. That’s two games in a row where he’s been at the centre bounces more than any player other than Caleb Serong - and two games where he’s been a game-changer. If the form holds on the road against a far better side in Adelaide this Friday, then look out.
If Luke Jackson had kicked straight that could have been one of the most prolific ruck games since Max Gawn’s insane prelim final in 2021. Jackson finished with 1.4 from 17 disposals, five clearances and 28 hit-outs. Imagine if that were five straight.
Great signs from Jye Amiss as well. Created more than he kicked.
WEST COAST
West Coast 13.14 (92) def Port Adelaide 13.12 (90)
Everybody saw this coming, right? No?
This is a genuinely remarkable start to the season for the Eagles, better than any could have predicted. Tougher challenges will come - I am very worried about Port Adelaide - but the way they’ve been able to fight back from an early deficit, reclaim the lead, then fight it out right until the final siren makes this the most encouraging fortnight the club has had in almost five years.
Please never drop Josh Lindsay again. He did plenty against the Power, but there was a kick he pulled off in the third under pressure, hitting up Harry Schoenberg in the corridor, that I don’t think anyone else on the list could have done. Particularly given the other options at half-back, let’s hope his magnet stays firmly on the whiteboard.
There needs to be some kind of investigation into how Jobe Shanahan dropped to pick 30 in the 2024 draft. This kid has something intangible that separates the good AFL players from the great. His mark in the dying minutes in defence was all class. Last year he showed signs as a forward, this year he’s become a swingman and it’s working to great effect.
WAFLW
East Perth 4.7 (31) def Peel Thunder 4.5 (29)
West Perth 4.6 (30) def Subiaco 2.7 (19)
Swan Districts 7.9 (51) def Claremont 1.4 (10)
South Fremantle 7.11 (53) def East Fremantle 0.4 (4)
Upsets aplenty in the first round of the ATCO WAFLW for season 2026, and you get the feeling that this is a year where a suite of new contenders will announce themselves.
No bigger upset than Swan Districts belting a Claremont side that has won three of the past four flags. Jaime Henry led the charge. We’d heard good things about her from Basso this pre-season but her 31 touches, 10 tackles, eight inside-50s and a goal is an early contender for performance of the season.
We expected West Perth to pop last year - maybe we were just a bit early. The Falcons beat last year’s form team Subiaco largely on the back of their youth. The likes of Jess Roper (almost a veteran at 21 years old), Rikisha Nannup and Bella Nelson were strong in the victory.
Huge numbers in the middle thanks to Subiaco’s big three Lisa Steane (30 disposals) Krstel Petrevski (27) and Paige Sheppard (28) but it didn’t translate to scores.
South Fremantle will be a real contender this season. Ash Gomes was the story in their massive win over the Sharks - who looked like they could really use an Ash Gomes type midfielder out there themselves. Anyone know where they can find one?
East Perth have already equalled last year’s win tally. Another club that will be a great watch in a comp that is getting better across the board.
WAFL PRE-SEASON
The Sullivan Logistics WAFL kicks off on Good Friday. Only one scratch match this weekend, Peel Thunder v West Coast:
Jeremy Sharp looks like he’ll be spending more time as an inside mid, with Neil Erasmus and Matt Johnson now looking more entrenched in the Fremantle 23. Perth sung Sharp’s praises after their game last week - could be set for a massive year.
Bailey Williams was good again in the ruck for West Coast against Mason Cox. He and Elijah Hewett - on the comeback from injury - were among the best for the Eagles, who will be better than they have been.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.