Origin just means more to WA
Plus the guy Freo can't stop talking about, the WA teen Tassie love and your questions answered.
G’day friends, and a very happy Origin week to us all!
This weekend just gone was the last football-free weekend we’ll have until October. That’s a daunting realisation for some and will no doubt prompt conflicting emotions. Bring it on, I say.
It kicks off with WA taking on the Vics in Origin on Saturday, then unofficial match simulations between sides begin Monday - all broadcast on Kayo/Fox. They lead straight into official pre-season games starting on Feb 25, then into Opening Round on Thursday, March 5.
These are the pre-season games of note for the local teams:
Sat, Feb 21: Fremantle v West Coast match simulation, 9am at Victor George Kailis Oval.
Sat, Feb 28: Fremantle v Adelaide, 3.10pm at Rushton Park
Sun, Mar 1: West Coast v Port Adelaide, 3.10pm at Mineral Resources Park
We genuinely can’t wait. This newsletter is at its best when there’s actual games on. If you like what we’re doing and keen to help Jumper Punches grow, the best thing you can do is forward it to your mates and get them to sign up.
In today’s newsletter: Why WA is actually a good chance in Origin, the tall teen that has Tassie excited, and your questions answered.
Alright, let’s get stuck in.
Jumper Punches is proudly supported by our launch partner Lightning Minds. Whether you’re ditching the drink entirely or taking a breather mid-session, their non-alcoholic craft beer is here to help you strike a healthy balance.
ORIGIN
I have a confession to make.
Despite spending almost 3/4 of my life in Western Australia, and writing a newsletter devoted to WA footy - I’m actually not born and bred. I’m a Queenslander. I get particularly passionate for three games in the depths of winter, I love the Broncos and will struggle to give the Perth Bears my whole heart when they come on the scene.
But my entire Australian Rules experience - through which I’ve formed the tightest bonds of friendship, experienced the highs and lows, and somehow formed a career out of - has been West Australian to its core.
That’s why I write this newsletter. And that’s why I will be proudly barracking for the Black Swans this weekend.
And my experience as a Queenslander is also why I know WA are a good chance of winning despite the Vics being ABSOLUTELY STACKED.
Over the years I’ve seen some very, very ordinary Queensland sides smash New South Wales. Because it just means more to them. WA have that same vibe.
The two States are very similar in a sporting context. WA has always had the WAFL, which had to endure its best players being poached by the VFL. Same at the QRL and NSWRL. Once the VFL let a WA side into the comp in the late 80s, they became a dominant force in the 1990s. Same as the NSWRL and the Broncos.
And being the ‘big’ state breeds complacency.
The Victorians have had multiple chances to represent their State at senior level. The Bushfire fundraiser in 2020 wasn’t that long ago. It certainly wasn’t as long ago as 1998, when WA played its last fixture at the level.
If Dean Cox and his staff can tap into the history, State pride, and get the team a bit pissed off - and the role player types like Liam Baker, Jaeger O’Meara, Stephen Coniglio, Nathan Broad can tap into their best - then don’t be shocked if the result falls our way.
Because if you’ll excuse a well-worn footy analogy… the Vics just don’t want it as much.
A couple of reads to get you in the mood
Jake and Chris Waterman on the family’s now indelible link to Origin
The Chad Warner-Kozzie Pickett combo should be very very nice
AFL
Just in case you didn’t have enough Luke Jackson content this pre-season… he was one of the best in Freo’s intraclub on the weekend. Kicked two goals, made an impact as an on-baller. Will be watching closely where he lines up in Origin.
Nathan Schmook wrote a good piece giving some insight into the S&C changes at the Dockers in the offseason and what to expect from them.
More praise for Cooper Duff-Tytler coming out of West Coast, this time from ruck Matt Flynn.
Bo Allan was back in defence at the Eagles late last week and showed a bit of flair. If he has a couple of good pre-season games would love to see him handed the spot freed up by Tom McCarthy’s move to the middle. Give Allan 3-4 games there and let him settle and get to work.
TALENT PROGRAM
If you haven’t heard of Axel Walsh already, you will soon. Tasmania last week named him on a list of 17-year-olds they are allowed to talk to about becoming a pre-listed player.
The Devils have the right to pre-list a bunch of 17-year-olds over the next couple of years, signing them before they can even get to the open draft. Gold Coast and GWS both had similar concessions.
Walsh is right in the mix to be one of the Devils’ first signings.
The East Perth ruckman stepped into the spotlight at last year’s under-16 national championships. Not only is he already more than 200cm tall, but he has fantastic skills, an outstanding footy IQ and he’s athletic as hell. It’s no wonder he’s already being discussed as the No.1 pick in 2027.
The thing that stunned me was his work rate and willingness to push hard defensively. That’s very rare for any good teenager, let alone one of his size.
There’s already positive talk coming out of the WA under-18 summer program and if Walsh can stay injury free, he’ll do some very nice things this year. Tassie are within their rights to be excited.
JUMPER PUNCHES MAILBAG
If you’ve got a question to ask, either chuck it in the comments on this newsletter if you’re a paid subscriber or reply to this email and we’ll get you in the next edition.
Charlie Nicholls development coming along? (adz29 on Instagram)
Short answer: yes. Nicholls kicked two goals in the intraclub on the weekend and has some Freo staffers very excited about what he could become. A good chance to debut at some point this season and one to watch closely at Peel.
Who lines up first out of CDT, J Williams or A Reid as 3rd tall/ruck pinch hitter? (marcjfento on Instagram) (similar question from misterjpags)
The beauty of having five on the bench and no sub this season means you can probably play two of them. There’s some talk that Archer Reid will play as second ruck and CDT will play mostly forward. I can see that working.
Tom McCarthy’s ceiling this season? (pete51507 on Instagram)
Jesse from True Footy thinks it’s a John Worsfold Medal. Everything I’ve seen from Harley Reid this summer makes me think that medal’s his to lose, but McCarthy has been genuinely impressive as a midfielder. Give it a couple of pre-season games and I’ll give a more definitive take but McCarthy has got to be one of the best mid-season stories we’ve seen yet.
Are leagues like the SWFL closer to WAFL level than previous years with training standards etc? (ruddy_10 on Instagram)
This question comes up a bit but the gap is still significant. The environment and infrastructure around a good WAFL club is head and shoulders above the country leagues and the Perth Football League. A strong PFL or country team might be able to match a WAFL ressies side, but the next step is a big one.
What do you think a pass mark for West Coast looks like in 2026? (spncrrb)
If they can roll out 4+ wins and get serious minutes into this year’s high-end draftees then that’s enough for me. It’s a long road back to contention.
That’s the lot for today. Thanks again for reading.
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