My empire of dirt
PLUS Freo's defensive mastery, AFLW pre-season derby notes and a colts cult hero goes beast mode.
G’day friends! In case you’re wondering, the title of this newsletter is a lyric from the song Hurt, originally written by Trent Reznor but better known for the Johnny Cash cover.
It’s all that was running through my head when I saw the vision of Willem Duursma in tears after West Coast’s loss to Richmond yesterday.
It’s gut-wrenching stuff, but it’s also exactly what you want to see. There are no questions about intent. You can see how much it hurts.
Anyway, there were plenty of other, less depressing, results around the State on the weekend, so let’s check in on those….
In today’s newsletter: Eagles win all the stats except the one that matters, Fremantle on a different defensive plane, AFLW pre-season derby standouts, a WAFL veteran catches fire, WAFLW finals set and a colts cult hero goes beast mode.
Let’s get stuck in.
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WEST COAST
Tigers 12.12 (84) def Eagles 9.19 (73)
They won the inside 50 count 52-45. They won clearances 38-30. They took 14 marks inside 50 to Richmond’s 10. They laid 22 inside 50 tackles to Richmond’s 10. They kicked 9.19. Bad kicking is bad football. No reward for effort. It absolutely kills you.
On the bright side, take the accuracy in front of goals out of it and the Eagles had things on their terms. I know it’s little consolation, but they are headed in the right direction.
And speaking of right direction, Harley Reid’s headed that way on a rocket. Finished with 34 possessions, 20 contested, eight score involvements, 658 metres gained and nine clearances.
FREMANTLE
Dockers 11.12 (78) def Bulldogs 5.11 (41)
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says his side didn’t deliberately park the bus. So it must have just been an accident that their wing started as close to the D50 as possible, then sprinted there at first opportunity at every centre bounce.
When you’re trying to pick out a target amid a sea of defenders, it’s a blessing to have Josh Treacy. He was enormous in his 100th game. He kicked three goals and left a couple out there as well, and his mark against four Dogs defenders was crazy good.
At the other end of the field, the likes of Karl Worner and Oscar McDonald weren’t letting anything get past them. Freo have now conceded an average of 67.3 points per game. The next best is Adelaide with 79.1.
AFLW
It’s not even round one and Mim Strom is already mounting a case for a third consecutive All-Australian nod. She starred for the Aussies v Ireland with 19 disposals, 26 hit-outs, six clearances and six inside-50s.
Fremantle and West Coast also faced off in their final pre-season hit-out, with the Dockers 28-point winners. CODE Sports’ Eliza Reilly was there and let us know a few of her stand-outs:
DOCKERS
Gabby Newton looks set to go up a gear again after a breakout 2025. She was so clean, especially under pressure, and elite by hand and foot.
Logic says eventually time must catch up with Kiara Bowers. But logic doesn’t win every argument. Turbo is still outstanding even in third gear, and turned back the clock with a run and bounce down the wing.
Keep an eye on Tilly Banfield. She’s been a bolter this pre-season and played as a key target on the weekend. She took some nice marks and used her speed and endurance to sneak out the back on a few occasions.
EAGLES
It must suck to have the ball and see Jess Rentsch running at you. The hard-tackling Eagle laid a few bone-rattlers and looks to have developed the strength and power to match her physicality in year three.
Charlotte Riggs is owning the No.1 ruck role. She kicked a jaw-dropping banana goal from 40m out early and offers a strong aerial presence around the ground.
She’s not the finished product yet, but Sienna Gerardi is going to be bloody fun to watch this year. The pre-season draftee has pace, pressure and plenty of X-factor.
WAFL
Things are getting tighter than expected in the finals race. Perth (third) and South Fremantle (fourth) both lost, loosening their grip at the top. Meanwhile Subiaco (fifth), East Perth (sixth) and West Coast (seventh) all nabbed crucial wins. There’s only four points between third and seventh now.
Key defender Jacob Blight was huge for Subiaco - keeping Demons forward Aaron Clarke goalless to help the Lions win by one point. Subi didn’t score in the first term, but slowly chipped away.
The way East Perth are staying in the finals race despite missing almost all of their starting midfield needs to be studied.
A Harper Banfield goal after the half-time siren was one of the highlights as the Eagles saw off the Dogs. His U18 teammate Cam Maynard kicked a goal on the other end in his league debut for Souths too.
Huge game from Alec Waterman at Claremont - 4.2 from 16 disposals.
Could the Tigers give Benji van Rooyen a debut soon? He had a huge game in the twos, with three goals, 22 disposals and 17 hit-outs.
WAFLW
The regular season is done. The finals are set. Here’s how week one of the finals looks:
First Semi-Final: Swan Districts v Claremont
Second Semi-Final (elimination): East Fremantle v South Fremantle
Winner of the first semi goes straight to the grand final. Loser faces the winner of the second semi for the other spot in the decider. Let’s do it!
Swans knocked Perth out of contention with a 21-point win. Jaime Henry wrapped a bow on her dominant H&A season with 35 disposals and two goals.
East Fremantle claimed third spot thanks to a three-point win over West Perth. Mackenzie Webb has been a crucial signing for the Sharks this year and was best-on again.
Claremont sent a pre-finals message by demolishing South Fremantle 60-16. Hayley Bullas had her best game since returning to the Tigers with 34 disposals and two goals and draft prospect India Bonadeo starred with her 26 touches.
Lucy Gilbey had 21 disposals on debut for the Tigers. She had a really good U18s tournament on the wing, but I wasn’t expecting such a big entry to seniors.
WAFL COLTS
Just relax, Thatcher Simmons. He kicked 5.4 from 26 disposals for Subiaco. He’s kicked 19 from eight colts games while averaging 24 disposals. What a beast.
U16 All-Australian Jayke Taylor kicked two goals and had 18 touches in his second colts game for East Fremantle. They beat East Perth 139-18 and will be a problem come finals.
Noah Braun rolls on for Claremont with 33 disposals and a goal this time to help beat West Perth.
Wanted to give another shout-out to Campbell Creyk, a bottom-aged mid having a great season across colts and school footy. He had 26 disposals and a goal for the Falcons. Clears the ball, breaks lines, scores. Plenty to like.
SCHOOL FOOTY
Scotch College (9-1) remain on top with two games remaining. Aquinas College (8-2) are the most likely to upset the order. Those two schools face each other next weekend in a massive fixture.
Scotch knocked off Trinity on the weekend 90-69. Aquinas defeated Wesley by 60 points, and Christ Church enjoyed a win over Guildford 137-57.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.