Rumours of Elliot Yeo's demise are greatly exaggerated
Plus the latest on the AFLW draft and awards season, plus other bits of AFL and WAFL pre-season news.
G’day Punchers and a very happy Monday to you.
In case you missed in, North Melbourne won the AFLW premiership on the weekend, completing a perfect season. They were rarely (and barely) challenged.
There’s also a scattering of news around in the men’s space now that both WA sides are back training - including a face on track at the Eagles that few people were expecting to see this early.
And if you want something left field, James Aish filled in for the Lake Grace cricket club on the weekend after Nat Fyfe was a late withdrawal.
Alright, let’s get stuck in.
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AFL
This may be the best sentence Eagles fans have heard since the draft: Harley Reid and Elliot Yeo both trained fully at the same time. Mitch Woodcock covered it off for The West late last week. Great work, but would suggest that if Yeo is fit, there is no doubt about his position - he’s in the guts.
Liam Baker looking settled at half-back this early in the pre-season and Bo Allen training on a wing are a couple of other tid-bits to be aware of.
It was a heavy week of Mason Cox content at Freo - the fella knows how to make a headline. The easy assumption is that he’ll be playing at Peel as injury cover but he’s pretty determined and on a multi-year deal. The new ruck rules - which are anti-wrestling for rucks - give him some hope.
Also, in case you missed it, Nathan O’Driscoll was shitmixed in a contest with our man Toby Whan. You’ve got to admire the commitment, but christ lads - it’s December. He was assessed and went off the track before returning to finish the session.
The Dockers still have one rookie spot open for an SSP and have speedy Northern Bullants small forward Chris Scerri and young ruckman Zac Harding training with the group as options. Dockers recruiters loving small forwards atm! Code Sports have a great write-up on Scerri if you’ve got the time and a subscription.
AFLW DRAFT
The AFLW Draft is happening two weeks from today - Monday, Dec 15.
As it stands, Olivia Wolmarans still looks likely to be the first West Australian taken. And there’s a very strong chance she goes top three, especially now that GWS have been handed pick No.3 by the AFL as part of an assistance package - they are known to be big fans.
Evie Cowcher, Mia Russo, Carys D’Addario and Olivia Crane are the others in the mix for the first round.
Alicia Blizard is another with a lot of fans in recruiting circles, but the nature of the AFLW - club resourcing in the recruiting space varies wildly and list sizes means you have to recruit players you think can play immediately - means there’s also a chance she could miss out.
Other WA girls in the mix are Ella Gilbey (Claremont), Lucy Greenwood (East Perth), Juliet Kelly (Claremont), Renee Morgan (South Fremantle) and Ava Stewart (Swan Districts), who is still quite raw but has tons of potential as a key defender.
If any of them miss out this month, there will be one more opportunity via a pre-season draft next year - where clubs can replace injuries etc.
AFLW
Award season has come and gone within the space of a few days, here’s the highlights from a WA perspective:
Ella Roberts nabbed her second All-Australian blazer and finished fourth in the AFLW’s Best and Fairest. She also finished third in the AFLPA MVP voting. One hell of a player.
At Fremantle, Mim Strom was again recognised as the best ruck in the comp with the All-Australian spot, while Gabby Newton grabbed her first blazer. We told you she was having a ripping season.
But neither of them could topple Aisling McCarthy at the Dockers’ Best and Fairest awards. McCarthy won from Newton and Kiara Bowers.
The function was also an official retirement for inaugural Docker Ebony Antonio, who has officially hung up the boots after taking this season. Has been a major figure for the club in the AFLW - end of an era stuff.
WAFL
Jye Bolton - one of the premier players of the modern WAFL - has officially called time at Claremont. Two Sandover Medals, four Simpson Medals… what a career. We’re hearing a European summer is in the pipeline next year.
Former Essendon small forward Oskar Smart has signed with East Fremantle for next season.
East Perth will finally see former Cat and Hawk Cooper Stephens in blue and black. The star recruit was signed last year but injured his ACL - now he’s committed to joining for 2026. Could he help them over the premiership hump?
Subiaco have been on a recruiting spree, with Jacob Blight signing on after being de-listed by Richmond. He follows Jack Petruccelle and the return of Ben Sokol as big ins for the Lions.
That’s the lot for today. Thanks again for reading.
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