G’day punchers! Shout-out off the top to WA for a $101 million effort for Telethon this year. Outstanding effort for a great cause.
In today’s newsletter: The Dockers forward overdelivering on expectations, a horror result for the Eagles W program, breaking down the trade period for both WA clubs and some draft thoughts.
Let’s get stuck in.
Jumper Punches is proudly supported by Sullivan Logistics, WA’s most reliable overnight freight partner. For more than 30 years, Sullivan Logistics has delivered at scale and speed for regional communities and primary industries across the state. Through freight, logistics, and warehousing, they keep Western Australia moving.
FREMANTLE AFLW
Dockers 7.9 (51) def Saints 6.4 (40)
For a while there it looked like Freo were in danger of continuing their poor home-ground record this season, but a scoring frenzy in the final term was enough to get them back into the top eight with two tough games remaining.
The catalyst of that late frenzy was Noa McNaughton. First she snapped a brilliant goal from the pocket when others were struggling for clean possession. A moment later she hit up Eden Zanker on the lead. Then she dribbled one perfectly to find Hayley Miller in the square. Their final three goals all came through McNaughton. It was a special quarter at the perfect time for her side.
It’s crazy to think McNaughton was an injury call-up and not drafted. She was on the cusp a few years ago at South Fremantle as a small forward but the extra midfield time at East Freo in the past few years saw her game make a serious leap.
A moment for Kiara Bowers. She had 36 disposals, 14 tackles, 11 clearances and a goal. Playing some of her best footy at 34 years old.
WEST COAST AFLW
Cats 8.16 (66) def Eagles 1.7 (13)
Bella Lewis gets the votes for the Eagles - without her goal in the final minutes of the game they would have gone without a major for the second time in the AFLW.
Geelong are undefeated since round one, and the Eagles managed to hold them on a leash in the first half, but things got out of control after the main break.
There’s probably a mathematical world where they can still play finals, but in reality it’s over. They’re sitting in 12th, equal on points with Freo in eighth but with a horrific percentage of 75.2.
Not the way to celebrate a new two-year extension for coach Daisy Pearce.
AFL TRADE PERIOD
West Coast
INS: Jack Viney, Trent Rivers (Melbourne)
‘26 DRAFT PICKS: 3, 23, 58, 64
The Eagles managed to improve their list without giving away any major draft capital. Rivers is still just 25 years old and offers an upgrade across half-back, I’m less convinced about him as a midfielder but he’ll likely be given a crack. Viney in a vacuum is a good addition, but fascinated to see how they’ll balance another 32-year-old in on-ball division which by the end of the season already leaned heavily on Elliot Yeo (33), Jack Graham (28) and Tim Kelly (32) and is crying out for youth.
They head into the draft right in the ‘can’t miss’ section and will probably end up with one of Arki Butler, Ethan Dever, Heath Mellody or Gus Teixeira - who will all add firepower to their midfield in the short to medium term.
Fremantle
INS: Dom Bedendo (delisted free agent)
OUTS: Nathan O’Driscoll (Richmond)
‘26 DRAFT PICKS: 19, 40, 60, 63
Pretty tame draft period from Fremantle. Lost a winger who was in the best side for most of the season but fell out in the run to finals. Picked up a mature-aged winger from the VFL to replace him. Highlight reels can suck you in but the bloke kicked 38 goals off a wing, took a bunch of hangs and knows a thing or two about resilience so I’m excited to see what he can do.
From a draft perspective, list boss David Walls told The West Australian they were looking for speed.
“If we can, some speed and skill would be nice. We think there’ll be a group of four or five players that’ll get through to the pick we’ve got and it’ll just be which one’s the highest rated,” he said.
That’s us all caught up.
Jumper Punches is produced by Playbookx. We’re a sports marketing company that unites brands, sports and community. If you’re a brand looking to grow your business, or a sport looking for help with commercial strategy, content or marketing, let’s have a chat.
Catch you next week.