Former AFL talents, WAFL stalwarts and a Sandover Medallist are about to hit the city for the first Country Championships since 2019. Here are 10 players to watch when the champs return this weekend.
Jackson Barrett
After lining up for the Eagles earlier this season, this speedster has now earned a slightly less distinctive honour: Marble Bar Undie Run champion.
Alexander Scott
State 18s coach Ben Dyer has urged AFL clubs to look past Darcy Jones’ size, believing he’s got some attributes that “set him apart from other kids”.
Jordan McArdle
Claremont premiership star Jasmin Stewart hasn’t shut the door on an AFLW return next year after a commanding best on ground performance in the Tigers’ grand final triumph over East Fremantle.
Eliza Reilly
Powerful midfielder Elijah Hewett gave West Coast recruiters plenty of food for thought with a stunning performance in WA’s AFL National Under-18s Championship loss to Vic Metro at Ikon Park.
Vic Metro key forward Matt Jefferson has produced a quarter for the ages as an Elijah Hewett-inspired Western Australia went down by 27 points in their AFL National Under-18s Championship opener at Ikon Park.
From serving lunch to eating with West Coast captains Shannon Hurn and Luke Shuey, life has moved pretty fast for Elijah Hewett.
Jesse Turner could become the second Swan Districts player in three seasons to win the Sandover Medal on the back of a meteoric rise in 2022.
Mitchell Woodcock
Champion Data has revealed which WAFL players have been ranked elite after the first 10 rounds of the season. And one premiership contender has surprisingly none. See who made the cut here.
Western Australia suffered a 48-point loss to South Australia in their AFL National Under-16s Championships opener in Adelaide on Sunday.
Fremantle midfielder Darcy Tucker is expected to miss about a month after a hand injury in the WAFL.
Ten Fremantle players featured in Peel Thunder’s narrow loss to East Fremantle at the WACA Ground on Saturday to go with one in the reserves. Here’s how they fared:
A legacy 87 years in the making wrote another chapter on Saturday as East Perth conjured an upset victory over Claremont.
Swan Districts coach Adam Pickering might have been missing because of COVID-19, but the message was not lost in translation from assistant Andrew Pruyn.
Harry Grigson
Highly-rated bottom-agers Clay Hall and Ethan Logan stood tall late as Peel Thunder won an epic WAFL colts clash against fellow top-five outfit East Fremantle at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
Fremantle may be another wing option down after Darcy Tucker hurt his hand playing for the club’s WAFL affiliate on Saturday.
East Fremantle coach Bill Monaghan was pleased to bounce back and get the win for captain Matthew Jupp’s 150th after overcoming a late deficit to prevail over Peel Thunder at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
A seething Todd Curley questioned his players’ effort and intent after a rare blowout loss for South Fremantle against West Coast on Saturday night.
Jay Rooney
West Perth co-captain Aaron Black is adamant his side isn’t getting carried away despite sitting one game clear on top of the ladder after yet another strong performance over an injury-depleted Perth outfit.
Ethan Roth
A dominant performance from West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui has inspired the Eagles’ WAFL side to their first win of the season in a 41-point upset victory over South Fremantle.
Samantha Rogers
West Coast tasted victory for the first time in the 2022 WAFL season and in almost a year when they upset South Fremantle by 41 points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday night.
Swan Districts have continued their form at their Steel Blue fortress, disposing reigning premiers Subiaco in emphatic style to elevate themselves into the top five.
East Fremantle celebrated Matthew Jupp’s 150th game with a hard-fought win over fellow top-five outfit Peel Thunder at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
West Perth celebrated Mark Hutchings’ long-awaited return, and 100th WAFL game, with an easy win over the injury-hit Perth at Mineral Resources Park.
© West Australian Newspapers Limited 2022
