WAFL Ins & Outs Wednesday, April 3, 2019 - 12:05 PM - by Elliot Raiter

The Optus WAFL season kicks into gear this weekend and we take a look at the ins and outs of each team heading into 2019. 

The season begins on Saturday April 6. 

CLAREMONT

The Tigers enter 2019 full of confidence after a strong campaign during the Finals Series last year. Dec Mountford, Callan England and Jack Bradshaw all return to Claremont Oval, while Beau Maister and Keifer Yu are the only key outs for the side. Some AFL experience is sure to bolster the midfield giving the yellow and blue a real chance at a top 4 finish.

Ins: Declan Mountford (NM), Callan England (WCE), Jack Bradshaw (Returning), Anthony Treacy (Cable Beach), Christopher Oakley (Cable Beach), Jake Murphy (returning), Harry McCracken (returning)    
                    
Outs: Beau Maister (retired), Keifer Yu (retired), Morgan Davies (East Fremantle), Brendan Abbott (West Perth), Jordan Clark (Geelong), Thomas Shanahan (Scarborough)    

EAST FREMANTLE 

New arrivals have sparked optimism at Shark Park as East Fremantle look to rebound from a tough season in 2018. Luke Strnadica and Kody Manning headline a host of inclusions, while Jonothan Marsh gets his chance in the AFL system again joining St Kilda. Tom Joyce has joined Brisbane, while George Hampson will play with Swan Districts in 2019. 

Ins: Luke Strnadica (Fremantle), Alex Bray (Peel), Kody Manning (WP), Morgan Davies (Claremont), Michael Tassone (Peel), Tom Bennett (Return), Kyle Baskerville (Return), Jesse Adamini (Return), Kyle Havelberg (Peel), Andrew Stokes (Return), Kennedy Sorrell (Return).

Outs: Jonathon Marsh (St Kilda), Jamie McNamara (Retired), Tom Joyce (Brisbane), George Hampson (Swan Districts)
 

EAST PERTH

East Perth begin the new season in uncharted territory after ending their alignment with the West Coast Eagles. A large player turnover will see the Royals enter a new era, adding VFL midfielder Angus Scott to their ranks. The retention of former West Coast Eagles Tarir Bayok and Tony Olango will bring plenty of experience. 

Ins: Shaquille Mckenzie (Returns), Mitchell Howlett (Returns), Mahli King (Returns), Jarrod Best (Returns), Tarir Bayok (Returns), Angus Scott (Casey Demons), Rohan Kerr (Pinjarra), Jarrhan Jacky (Federals), Joel Houghton (Collie), Matthew Johnson (Gin Gin), Tony Olango (West Coast), Nathan Dwyer (North Beach), Jordan Busher (Deanmill), Samuel Bevan (Gin Gin), Jayden Magro (High Wycombe), Nick Michalczyk (Trinity Aquinas)

Outs: Damon Greaves (Hawthorn), Brayden Furmark (Kingsway), Dwayn Bolton (Maddington)

PEEL THUNDER 

Peel Thunder ended their 2018 campaign wanting more after exiting at the hands of Claremont. Jackson Merrett returns from Essendon in a major coup for the Thunder, while some mature age recruits at Fremantle could take Peel to the next level. 

Ins: Ryan Bennell (Swan Districts), Matthew Beogensperger (Subiaco), Andrew Bondarczuk (South Bunbury), Jordan Falco (South Bunbury), Ray Giudici (Donnybrook), Ben Harding (East Fremantle), Jaidon Kearing (Pinjarra), Daniel Lloyd-Smith (Bunbury), Kai Luzi (South Bunbury), Jackson Merrett (Essendon), Heath Ryder (Eaton), Oli Walton (Baldivis).

Outs: Kaine Ah-Chee (Pinjarra), Zac Beckman (Mandurah), Alex Bray (East Fremantle), Jackson Burkett (Mandurah), Jackson Capurso (Subiaco), Karl Collard (Eaton), Matthew Dean (Brookton-Pingelly), Jake Dowding (Kellaberrin), Michael Humble (South Mandurah), Ash Humphries (Rockingham), Jacob Janzekovich (Rockingham), Leroy Jetta (Brookton-Pingelly), James Kirby (Kalgoorlie), Joshua Mathers (Warnbro), Brad McGowan (North Fremantle), Joshua McMahon (Rockingham), Nick Merrett (Pinjarra), Brett Milward (Pinjarra), Joel O’Driscoll (Pinjarra), Michael Tassone (East Fremantle), Brad Walsh (Rockingham).

PERTH

A quality brigade of inclusions could see Perth return to the finals for the first time in 31 years in 2019. Former North Melbourne forward Gordon Narrier returns to his boyhood club, while triple premiership star Chris Bryan joins the Demons. Matt Rogers spent some time at the Swans but will suit up in red, while Spencer White has moved back to Melbourne. 

Ins: Gordon Narrier (Nth Melbourne - returning), Chris Bryan (Subiaco), Matthew Rogers (Swan Districts – returning), Che Wyatt (Subiaco), Josh Burke    (Sydney Uni - returning), Zareth Roe (Calingiri - returning), Cody Kickett (Tom Price - returning), Jacob Payne (Margaret River - returning), Jake Becroft (North Albany), Jack Steel (Canning Tigers), Jack Schwarze (Blacktown - Sydney), Tristan Jackamarra (Moora), Guy Langdon (Dampier), Riley Pobjoy (Willetton), Tom Tomizzi (Claremont), David Gare (Belmont), Matt Thompson (Mundijong Centrals - returning), Cody Allan (Dalwallinu), Darby McCarthy (North Beach), Brendon Erceg (Mundijong Centrals).

Outs: Spencer White (Return to Melbourne), Ben Giobbi (Return to Melbourne), Devin McFarlane (Retired), Laine Wilkins (Retired), Kurtis Chester (Travel/Goomalling), Brad McPhail (Retired), Joe Ugle (Melbourne/study), Jake Schleicher (Willetton), Jordan Henderson (York), Chris Leonard (Curtin Wesley), James Corner (Curtin Wesley), Harry Sankey (Travel/Curtin Wesley), Ben Power     (Trinity Aquinas), Redmond Dobson (Trinity Aquinas), Taran Etto (Beverley).

SOUTH FREMANTLE 

The Bulldogs will look to youth for the upcoming season after a number of club stalwarts called time on their storied careers. Cory Dell’Olio, Ryan Cook, Ashton Hams, Shane Hockey and Ben Saunders have all left the WAFL, paving the way for some young guns to shine at South Fremantle. Former Hawthorn midfielder Kade Stewart returns, while Matt Parker has started is AFL career with St Kilda in fine fashion. 

Ins: Kade Stewart (Katanning), Michael Coombes (ST Mary’s NT), Andrew Haydon (Sth Mandurah), Jye Depane (Boddington), Joshua Loo (East Perth)

Outs: Cory Dell'Olio (Retired to Wesley), Ryan Cook (Retired), Jarrod Parry (Retired to Wesley ), Ashton Hams (Retired), Shane Hockey (Retired), Ben Saunders (Retired to Wesley), Matt Parker (St Kilda AFL), Steven Edwards (Albany)

SUBIACO 

Subiaco entered WAFL folklore in 2018 after clinching all three WAFL grades, with their league side going the entire year undefeated. 2019 presents a new challenge with some classy names missing from their premiership defence. Zac Clarke and Luke Foley will ply their trade in the AFL, while premiership winners Chris Phelan, Brad Stevenson, Adam Cockie and Chris Bryan have all departed the club. Harry Marsh is the big inclusion, coming across from the Sydney Swans. 

Ins: Harrison Marsh (Sydney Swans), Simon Moore** (Jurien Bay), Ryan Vermeersch** (Mines Rovers), Joseph Scafidi** (Kukerin/Dumbleyung), Jakeb Tartaglia (North Fremantle), Kaiden Dann (Brigades FC)

Outs: Zac Clarke (Essendon), Luke Foley (West Coast), Chris Phelan (Doncaster East FC), Brad Stevenson (Retired), Adam Cockie (retired / Moora), Chris Bryan (Perth), Che Wyatt (Perth), Scott Hancock (retired)

SWAN DISTRICTS 

The Swans narrowly missed out on a finals berth in 2018 and approach the new season with a strong level of confidence. George Hampson comes across from East Fremantle as the reigning best and fairest winner, with former Fremantle livewire Josh Simpson bringing excitement to Steel Blue. Todd Banfield and Kirk Ugle have both retired from football. 

Ins: George Hampson (East Fremantle FC), Lachlan Riley (Peel Thunder FC), Josh Simpson (Mullewa), Jesse Glass McCasker (Carlton FC), Cameron Lamonaca (Bunbury), Leigh Kohlmann (South Bunbury), Anthony Stephens (Swan View), Aiden Clarke (Bunbury/Dean Mill)

Outs: Todd Banfield (Retired), Kirk Ugle (Retired), Jarrad Blight (Retired), Matthew Rogers (Perth FC), Troy Yukich (West Perth FC)

WEST COAST EAGLES

The West Coast Eagles will field a standalone team in the WAFL, giving the competition its 10th team in the process. Fraser McIness will captain the side in the inaugural season, while Brady Grey is the big-name recruit from Fremantle. Keegan Brooksby will add depth in the ruck department, giving the talented midfield first use. 

Ins: Brady Grey (Fremantle Dockers/Peel Thunder), Xavier O’Neill (Oakleigh Chargers), Luke Foley (Subiaco), Bailey Williams (Dandenong Stingrays), Jarrod Cameron (Swan Districts), Keegan Brooksby (Gold Coast/South Adelaide), Harry Edwards (Swan Districts), Josh Smith (Collingwood), Brodie Riach, Patrick Bines, Zac Fitzgerald (Wesley Curtin), Andrew Fisher (Kingsley), Daniel Acres (North Beach), Joel Kalajzic (Federals), Alex Coe (Bencubbin), Kieran Hug (Federals), Matthew Ah Siu (Bullcreek-Leeming), Joel Ashman (Scarborough), Luke Salomone (Trinity-Aquinas), Liam Robilliard (Scarborough), Jak Cary (Scarborough), Sam Lamont (North Beach), Mitchel Curnow (Rockingham), Sam Hobbs (Jurien Bay), Nicholas Reid (North Beach)

Outs: Tarir Bayok, Ryan Burrows, Callan England, Malcolm Karpany, Mark LeCras, Scott Lycett, Eric Mackenzie, Tony Olango, Luke Partington

WEST PERTH

Last year’s Grand Finalists fell just short of another premiership and will begin the new campaign with a fresh slate. Geoff Valentine has replaced Bill Monaghan as head coach, with the club retaining plenty of talent from an exciting year. Jay Van Berlo has retired, with Luke Meadows and Kody Manning both exiting the club.  

Ins: Ben Delaporte – Wembley FC, Troy Yukich – Swan Districts FC, Tom O’Halloran - Old Ivanhoe FC, Patrick Fairhead – Wanderers FC, Kirk Bartel – Gin Gin FC, Noah Pegoraro – Kingsley FC, Laine Rasmussen – Scarborough FC, Sam Rotham – Goomalling FC, Drew Blurton – Ocean Ridge FC, Patrick Fairhead – Wanderers FC, Nathan Murray – Colts, Alec Johnson – Colts, Bailey Chalmers – Colts, Fil Muavou – Colts, Tom O’Donnell – Colts, Tom Medhat – Colts, Jack Burke – Colts, Brayden Templeton – Colts, Jamie Dowen - Colts

Outs: Max Alexander – retired, Matt Guadagnin – retired, Chris Keunen – retired, Jay Van Berlo – retired, Tyrese Miller – retired, Kody Manning – East Fremantle FC, Alex Coe – West Coast Eagles FC, Luke Meadows – Box Hill Hawks (VFL), Steve Potente – work commitments, Angus Allen – Whitfords FC, Bailey Ash – Whitfords FC, Daniel Del Prete – Cervanties FC, Nijal Eades – Ellenbrook FC, Ewan Larmett - Whitfords FC, Nick Marinovich – Whitfords FC , Bailey Marriott – Mt Lawley FC, Sam Murphy – LA Dragons FC (USA), Zac Turner - Whitfords FC.