Round 1 looms and WAFL pre-season scratchies
What we're looking forward to in the AFL and who popped off in the WAFL practice games.
G’day friends!
Now that opening round is out of the way we can get into football properly.
Yes, it was good to watch some footy with something on the line. No, it’s not a proper round if you randomly leave out half the teams, and two entire States.
Anyway….
In today’s newsletter: Brief previews of the Fremantle and West Coast round one fixtures, the players who impressed across the first round of WAFL and WAFLW pre-season games.
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.
FREMANTLE
Geelong v Fremantle, 1.15pm AWST Saturday, GMHBA Stadium
Very cool and not at all daunting starting the season in Geelong against a team that needs to respond after an Opening Round thumping…
This weekend’s games showed us that pace and skill is at a premium - when hasn’t it been? Moving the ball quickly got results in each of the five games. Freo can play that kind of footy, but they don’t always elect to.
Justin Longmuir maintains that speed isn’t an issue for his side. He just wants to make sure they score more out of their front half and capitalise on turnovers closer to goal. He went in depth about it with Craig O’Donoghue here.
WEST COAST
Gold Coast v West Coast, 3.10pm AWST Sunday, People First Stadium
Speaking of daunting…
Shit the Suns look good.
Reuben Ginbey, Tim Kelly, Harry Edwards, Jack Graham and Liam Duggan all face fitness tests this week before they are ruled in or out. It’s a very different side with them on the park. Liam Baker definitely misses with suspension.
Expect all three of Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler and Josh Lindsay to debut.
WAFL PRE-SEASON
The men’s pre-season games kicked off with Subiaco 12.9 (81) beating Swan Districts 9.9 (63) and Claremont 16.9 (105) beating East Perth 7.9 (51). Here are some of the takeaways as provided by footy managers and coaches:
Ben Sokol looks like he’ll pick up exactly where he left off at the Lions, kicking three goals in his first run of the year. Sonny Siano was another forward who looks like he’ll take a leap after a strong debut year, and keep an eye on Marlon Corbett across half-back after a huge summer.
Frazer Rickson is another one to watch at Subi. The ruckman competed well in his first run in the seniors and impressed a few around the club. Had some mild draft interest leading into last season, so will be closely watched.
A fit Zane Trew and a reinvigorated Clint Hinchliffe could make Swan Districts a very different proposition this year. Trew kicked three on Friday night after missing most of last year with injury and Hinchliffe, the former Big Bash player who has been dominant in the ammos for a couple of years now, looks ready to make an impact.
Darcy Craven kicked two for East Perth in his return to the club from the Brisbane Lions. He’ll be a handy inclusion to the twice defeated grand finallists.
Sam Van Rooyen stepped up in the league side for Claremont with three goals. It was a three-headed monster for the Tigers, with Van Rooyen, Keiran Gowdie and Jaiden Hunter kicking 10 between them.
WAFLW PRE-SEASON
All clubs except Perth had their first hit-out on the weekend, with round one only a few weeks away. Here are some notable performances:
Kayla Van Den Heever was a standout in the midfield for West Perth, with 20-year-old defender Liliana Grassenis very influential down back. They’ve recruited well, but the Falcons’ improvement will come as much from their 20-24 year olds as it will from any new faces.
The state’s leading AFLW draft chance Cara Dziegielewski kicked two goals. She’s already an All-Australian U18 ruck, so if she can get more damaging up forward, then watch out. Another young Falcon to watch is multiple U15 All-Australian Bella Nelson, who was very good in her first senior hit-out.
Jaime Henry was elite for Swan Districts last year and has set the standard again this summer. She helped Swans demolish Subiaco over the weekend in concerning signs for the Lions. Jess Cox (Box Hill) and Chloe Reilly (East Fremantle) have added a bit of class at Bassendean.
Jayme Harken doesn’t muck around. The WAFLW’s medal machine kicked three out of the midfield to start her year. Another Dhara Kerr Medal loading?
Keep an eye on 19-year-old Emma Henderson at Claremont as well. She caught the eye on the wing and half-back.
Former leading goalkicker Kate Barlett kicked two to start her season back on Peel’s list. It wasn’t enough to help the Thunder beat South Fremantle, who had a comfortable win with a pair of teenage mids - Kate Newson and Eva Flynn - starring.