Is this man in All-Australian form?
Plus a massive contract year at the Eagles, U18 boys and girls trial notes and the Tigers finally drop one.
G’day people! Jeez there are some good vibes about the state of WA football at the moment, hey?
The Dockers have won 10 straight, the Eagles are showing serious signs of improvement and the WAFL is delivering good footy across all comps.
And the weekends have all been relatively dry, which is a blessing after last year.
In today’s newsletter: Freo’s sneaky AA chance, the Eagles’ ruck contract call, a near-record feat in the WAFL, upsets at the top of the ladder, standouts from the 18s boys and girls trial and more.
Let’s get stuck in.
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WALYALUP
Dockers 16.8 (104) def Saints 11.8 (74)
Top of the ladder. Premiership favourites.
Even without Caleb Serong, Hayden Young and Alex Pearce, the Dockers are just able to absorb punches when they come and land a killer blow when they need to. It’s very hard to find a flaw at the moment.
There’s now genuine All-Australian buzz about Murphy Reid, which is a crazy thing to type about a mid-first-round pick in his second year. The reigning Rising Star had seven score involvements, 13 disposals and a goal in the final quarter. Kid’s a freak.
Speaking of All-Australian, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Brennan Cox named in the squad for the second time at the end of the season. Making the team might be a bridge too far, but he was a impassable at times against the Saints, curtailed Jack Gunston a couple of weeks ago, and is anchoring a defence that has conceded the least points in the competition. Plus the fact that he was named in 2022 means the selectors clearly like him.
WAALITJ MARAWAR
Magpies 13.14 (92) def Eagles 12.10 (82)
The Eagles had every right to win this game. They had the Pies on the ropes, but by the time they got them there they were too gassed to land the knockout blow. It’s been a redemptive fortnight for Andrew McQualter and his squad.
What a year for Bailey Williams to be out of contract. And a free agent as well! The ruckman was West Coast’s best player again, this time against Collingwood’s best and fairest Darcy Cameron. Williams had 12 clearances and a goal from 20 disposals and looked like he was going to be the match-winner at times. One of the stories of the season out of Lathlain.
I told you about Malakai Champion. Another impressive game under the belt for the small forward from Kalgoorlie.
For those following along, it’s now three wins v three Rising Star nominations for the Eagles this season. Keep playing like they did on the weekend and the wins should have that contest easily.
WAFL
Upsets at the top! Claremont and South Freo have looked a class above all season, but both got done on the weekend - by East Perth and Peel respectively. First loss of the season for Tigers, second for the Bulldogs after falling to Claremont in round three.
Hugh Davies was overlooked to replace Alex Pearce in Fremantle’s side a couple of weeks ago, and he’s making sure the selection committee have cause to second-guess their decision. The young defender took 20 marks in defence - which I think is the second-most marks since WAFL stats were recorded. Aiden Riddle is also coming into his own as a ruckman. One to watch.
Hamish Brayshaw was back at it for the Royals in their shock win over Claremont. He kicked two from 23 touches and is in some serious form.
The Sharks beat the Eagles for their first win in a month and Jack Cleaver was the standout for them again. He worked both sides of the ball for 31 disposals and 13 tackles. Has lifted a gear this season in Milan Murdock’s absence.
No.4 draft pick Cooper Duff-Tytler won’t be in the WAFL for long. Probably a half-step of the pace in the AFL, which is understandable for a first-year tall, but very good at State level. Two goals, 15 touches and 20 hit-outs. Brandon Starcevich was solid in his return from injury.
Perth kicked 21 goals against West Perth and Lochy Paton had five of them. Key cog.
Eight goals in the past two games for Ben Sokol. The returning veteran is warming up at Subiaco, who won their second in a row with a victory over Swan Districts.
The knock on WA draft prospect Leo Steed has been his size. Every week that goes by, that seems more and more ridiculous. The mid-forward was enormous for Swans with two goals, 18 disposals and seven tackles.
WAFLW
Upsets at the top in the ATCO WAFLW too! Claremont finally ended Swan Districts’ unbeaten streak - by 33 points, no less.
The usual suspects did the damage, but the Tigers would have been pleased by a return to form from Ella Gilbey in her first league game since round three. One of the league’s best young forward prospects.
The Sharks were the other upsetters (is that a word?), beating Subiaco by five points.
Poppy Stockwell gets a shout-out for the third week running. She kicked SEVEN in Perth’s 11-point win over West Perth.
Heartbreak for Peel Thunder. They were on track for their first win of the season before a late East Perth goal denied them by one point.
TALENT PROGRAM - BOYS
First-round chance Heath Mellody was a standout in the WA U18s’ latest trial game. The smooth mover was very good against the U20s last week and, to be honest, has been excellent at every level of footy he’s played this year.
Benji van Rooyen was another worth mentioning. He’s had to split ruck time this year but keeps showing his class.
Last year’s U16 WA MVP James Artemis showed some real signs in probably his best trial performance yet. He’s on the list of Tasmania’s 17-year-old ‘players of interest’.
TALENT PROGRAM - GIRLS
The WA U18 girls had their second trial on the weekend as well. They comfortably took care of South Fremantle. Players are being trialled in some new roles to dial things in and explore some options ahead of the national champs.
West Perth’s Miley Hynes caught the eye again. Was huge in their opening trial of the year and has been great at league level. She’s not eligible for the draft this year, but will be either to nominate one of West Coast or Fremantle when she is - thanks to her dad, Eagles premiership player David.
Claremont’s India Bonadeo had a breakout WAFLW game a couple of weeks ago and is set for a big champs. While bottom-ager Charlie Fletcher - last year’s U16 champs WA MVP - was another standout from the weekend.
WAFL COLTS
Our man LeBron Yarran kicked four for Swan Districts. He’s got nine in the past three weeks and the best name in the league.
We asked an avid colts watcher who wants to remain nameless to give us some notes on the weekend’s action too. Here are some of his standouts:
Trent Robertson (Peel/2027 Draft):The 16-year-old has come out of country football and is now on top of the WAFL Colts goal scorers list. Solidly built already and hopefully he isn’t a typical early developer. Able to find the correct leading lanes and mark the ball at its highest point which gives opposition defenders no chance to spoil. Can kick both feet and usually finishes accurately. Has a quiet swagger about him which isn’t overconfidence but a belief in what he can do.
Chace Vanderhoek (South Freo/2027 Draft): Not an eye catching player but one that when you look at the stats takes observers by surprise. 22, 25, 36, 29, 24, 30. Those numbers are amazing for a bottom-ager and I’m almost certain that he is taller than 177cm now. Not a thrills and spills mid but a player who quietly accumulates and even though he is an under-age player, his leadership qualities have already been recognised by the Bulldogs.
Tadhg Barrowclough (West Perth/2027 Draft): A resolute defender when required but his greatest strength is his ability to intercept in defence. A very mature player for his age and one who is pushing for WA state 18's squad honours right now. If not this year then certainly in 2027.
Luca Boczar (West Perth/2026 Draft): Boczar played WA U16s in 2024. Now he has found the kind of form that saw him recognised back then. A medium tall defender at 187cm - his greatest asset is his speed and rebound out of defence and his willingness to take yards.
SCHOOL FOOTY
Trinity College took a major scalp, holding off a fast-finishing Hale School to win 11.12 (78) to 12.4 (76).
Tough day for Guildford Grammar. Wesley took the points 114-8.
Scotch College got the advantage in the crush of teams at the top of the table. They went to Aquinas and returned with a very handy 34-point win.
That’s us all caught up.
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