The Rising Star race shouldn't be a race
Plus why Darcy should come straight back for Freo, a weird Sydney-East Fremantle colts swap, and some serious WA Day boilovers.
G’day friends! Hope you had a fantastic WA Day weekend. May we live long, well and secede soon.
Fittingly, it was another weekend where our two AFL sides won and the WAFLW and WAFLW derbies delivered.
Before we get into it, if you’re liking what we’re doing here at Jumper Punches, be sure to forward this to your mates and get them to sign up. The more the merrier.
In today’s newsletter: The Ginbey AA push, Darcy’s case to return to Freo quickly, the young Shark having a season of note, a weird Sydney Swans Academy colts situation, Swans stake a claim in the W and the best of school footy.
Let’s get stuck in.
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WEST COAST
Eagles 12.13 (85) def Bombers 8.7 (55)
Four wins on the board for the Coasters, showing genuine signs of progress, two young studs in Harley Reid and Willem Duursma. Brandon Starcevich to debut for the club next week. Things are looking up for West Coast.
This is their next four weeks: Port Adelaide (OS), North Melbourne (OS), bye, Carlton (Marvel). They’re a chance in all three.
There was heaps of rubbish on the field on Sunday. That is not a commentary on the football being played. It was weird though.
Lot of momentum now for Reuben Ginbey to earn his first All-Australian squad spot. His athleticism is a perfect match for modern forwards like Nate Caddy - who only kicked goals which Ginbey was on the bench. Even if he doesn’t get named this year, you get the feeling his name will be there pretty regularly over the next decade.
Also people who still think Jagga Smith should be leading the Rising Star race over Duursma need to watch more Duursma. Kid’s unbelievable.
FREMANTLE
Dockers 15.13 (103) def Lions 10.18 (78)
11 ON THE TROT!!!
Here are the top four coaches votes from the game: Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss 9; Matt Johnson 5; Patrick Voss 3. When was the last time three key forwards from the same team finished in the best in the same game? They are such a complementary group and making life hell for opposition defences.
Speaking of Johnson, what a season he’s having. The 23-year-old limited Lachie Neale to 21 touches while having 20 of his own, six clearances and a goal. He’s figuring out his game before our eyes. He may miss some time after coming off and icing his hamstring late. Regardless, has really elevated himself this year.
Amiss is currently sitting fifth in the Coleman Medal race. Didn’t see that coming.
Sean Darcy looked good in his return from injury at Peel on the weekend. Reckon he gets back in the side quickly. Cox has had a stretch to make the spot his own and hasn’t quite nailed it.
WAFL
Both WA Day derbies served up an upset. West Perth had their first win of the season when a shot after the siren from East Perth’s Ben Middleton sailed wide. And in the Port city, it was East Fremantle who hit the lead relatively early and put the foot down for a 34-point victory.
The Sharks’ derby win was their first since 2016. And a lot of it came on the shoulders of Jack Cleaver. You might have heard us mention him before. The 22-year-old kicked two goals from 37 disposals and looked untouchable at times. I’m big on this fella, his ceiling is high. Averaging 25 disposals and 10 tackles this season.
Swan Districts trailed Perth by 30 points at three quarter time. Then they kicked seven unanswered goals to win by 11 points. Boy oh boy. Jesse Turner was dominant in the final term.
Claremont escaped their second loss in a row when late goals to Zac Mainwaring and Sam Van Rooyen got them a narrow three-point win over Subiaco. They’re in a little bit of a down patch after such a hot start.
Mid-season draftee Marcus Herbert won’t be in the WAFL for long. West Coast couldn’t get over Peel, but Herbert stood out in the middle with his 23 touches in horror conditions.
WAFLW
A late goal to Summer Yarran helped Swan Districts see off a Subiaco challenge to remain on top of the ladder. Jaime Henry had it 19 times with nine tackles and five inside-50s to again be named her side’s best.
Great to see Dana Hooker back for Subi after retiring from the AFLW last year. She’ll be a big in for the Lions in the back half of the season.
The WAFLW Freo derby was just as good as the men’s. The Sharks led 26-18 at the final break and only just managed to hang on to win 32-33. Souths’ final two scores were both points too. Tash Entwistle may have been on the losing side, but she was arguably best on ground and is in a super vein of form.
WAFL COLTS
Our anonymous colts watcher is back again this week with a few players of note from the round:
Cooper Dudfield (Swan Districts/2026 Draft): Listed at 195cm, Dudfield is an emerging colts key forward. Imposing in the air both when in front, where he is difficult to shift off the marking contest, or from behind, where he is able to use his strength to out-manouvere defenders. Seven goals on the weekend against Perth puts him clearly at the top of the colts goal-kicking table with 20 and he must surely now be on the radar.
Campbell Creyk (West Perth/2027 Draft): The bottom-ager made a magnificent return from WA U18 duties with a colossal 40 disposal game in the midfield. He is blessed with tremendous speed which enables him to break away from stoppages, cut through defences and move swiftly to assist a team mate and create a two-on-one contest in him side’s favour.
Benji van Rooyen (Claremont/2026 Draft): The Claremont giant was another to return from WA U18 duties. Arguably in the best three on the ground, he played almost as an extra midfielder gathering 20 disposals. His tap work in the ruck was important and to advantage and his 27 hit-outs were complemented by six good grabs around the ground, which is not normally his strong suit.
Joel Badger (East Fremantle/Sydney Swans Academy/2027 Draft): For the second time this year the Woollongong-produced Sydney Swans Academy ruckman ran out for the Sharks. At just 16 years old, he is remarkably nimble for a player of 203cm. A fierce competitor and not at all phased by older opponents. Although WA U18s ruckman Conor Bushe-Jones may have shaded him slightly on the day, he continued to compete and provide East Fremantle with opportunities. But who does Badger belong to - WA or the Allies?
SCHOOL FOOTY
Scotch College are a game clear on top of the table after beating Trinity 96-63, and are clear favourites to return to the top under coach Steve Malaxos.
Aquinas are hot on their heels after seeing off Wesley by 19 points.
Christ Church also enjoyed a win, unfortunately at the sake of Guildford Grammar, who are having another lean year.
Here are a handful of players who stood out (included in the weekly send this time thanks to a Thursday fixture into a Tuesday newsletter…) :