WAFL Round 1 WrapWednesday, April 16, 2025 - 12:00 PM

The WAFL returned in spectacular fashion with a mixed bag of results.

From nail-biting finishes to unexpected results and extraordinary individual performances, the arrival of the season had it all.

PEEL THUNDER (79) V CLAREMONT (79)

The opening game of the season was one of the most spectacular at Lane Group Stadium, as the Tigers hunted down the Thunder in a thrilling last second finish.

Claremont did the early attacking on Saturday afternoon, kicking the opening two goals of the clash through Alec Waterman and Jaiden Hunter, but trailed by two points at the end of the first term despite having double the number of scoring shots that Peel had.

Scott Tuia kicked a second goal and Aiden Riddle nailed a chance to extend the lead halfway through the second period before back-to-back goals from Talon Delacey and Benjamin Elliot reduced the deficit to four points.

Peel would then kick four straight goals to close out the first half, two of which coming from Dockers superstar Hayden Young.

The Thunder kicked 6.3 to Claremont’s 2.1 in the quarter to open a steady 25-point margin at the main break.

The third term was an even affair, both sides trading goals as neither could convert accurately, a combined 4.10 scored for the period.

The final quarter was all Tigers as they owned the footy, Benjamin Elliot kicking his second to start things off before Hunter joined in with this second.

Claremont continued to fire off shots at goal until star Jye Bolton reduced Peel’s advantage to just three points.

Corey Tregenza nailed his third goal at a crucial time before Zac Mainwaring kicked truly to return the margin to two points with just a few minutes remaining.

Austin van der Struyf in his WAFL league debut would be the difference for the visiting team, kicking a late behind to draw level with the Thunder and cause a draw in the season opener.

Will Brodie and Cooper Simpson were electric for the home side with 33 and 30 disposals respectively, while Tregenza, Young and Tuia combined to kick eight goals.

For the Tigers, Callan England led the way with 32 disposals and a goal, while ruckman Oliver Eastland posted 25 disposals and 16 hit outs.

Jye Bolton looks set to be a force again this season, kicking things off with 23 disposals and a goal.

EAST FREMANTLE (131) V WEST COAST (82)

The Sharks unveiled their new home ground, The Good Grocer Park, to their passionate supporters in Round 1 against the Eagles, and put on a show for their fans.

While the Eagles were up for the fight, East Fremantle proved too experienced and too talented in the end.

The opening quarter was goal for goal, Jack Petruccelle getting the visitors going before debutant Jack Cocking nailed back-to-back goals to spur on the Sharks.

Coen Livingstone converted two impressive goals and Petruccelle kicked a second himself, while Jed Hagan imposed himself on the game with two of his own.

The home team led by seven points after one quarter and extended the margin to 21 points at halftime despite a third goal to Petruccelle.

The Eagles were wayward kicking 1.5 in the second period to the Sharks 4.1.

Two early second half goals to Matt Flynn and Luke Yeo brought West Coast right back into the game, before third and fourth goals from Cocking on debut saw the lead balloon out to 28 points.

Petruccelle also kicked a fourth late in the term but that was followed by veteran Sharks Jono Marsh and Cody Leggett converting to open a 35-point advantage after three quarters.

Flynn kicked a second goal within 90 seconds in the final term, and debutant Cooper Brown got in on the act too.

Jobe Shanahan took a courageous back-with-the-flight mark and kicked truly to rope the deficit back in to 19 points, but the Sharks ran out winners by 49 points as Leggett finished with three last quarter goals.

Petruccelle kicked a fifth to be in the Eagles best, while Matt Flynn competed all day with 27 disposals, 51 hit outs, five tackles and two goals.

Harvey Johnston, Bo Allan and skipper Shannon Lucassen were all impressive also.

East Fremantle were led by star Milan Murdock who finished with 29 disposals, whilst Kyle Baskerville found 25 disposals and laid 10 tackles.

Leggett, Cocking and Hagan each finished with four goals.

 

SWAN DISTRICTS (55) V WEST PERTH (103)

A Jesse Turner masterclass wasn’t enough to lift the black ducks to victory as the Falcons cruised to a 48-point win to open their account in 2025.

From the outset it was West Perth in front, a six goal to one opening term setting them up for the day.

Swans’ poor disposal let them down, gifting the visiting side several goals from turnover.

Tyler Keitel got on the end of multiple chances, finishing his afternoon with six majors.

Swan Districts made a comeback in the second term, kicking four goals to one, but the16 point halftime deficit only grew in the second half as West Perth stamped their authority on the contest.

Newly appointed Swans skipper Turner was phenomenal, collecting 44 disposals in what has become a regular occurrence for the superstar, but the contributors for the home side were few and far between.

Josh Cipro battled hard and earned 27 disposals, while Leigh Kohlmann was rewarded with four goals.

Darcy Dixon kicked three for the Falcons, while ever-consistent Shane Nelson grabbed 28 disposals and laid seven tackles.

Riley Sprigg won 30 hit outs to go with 23 disposals.

SUBIACO (65) V EAST PERTH (80)

The Lions and Royals fought out a tough contest at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, neither side giving in in a game that only exceeded a 20-point margin once.

Both sides were evenly matched and at each of the three quarter breaks were separated by a maximum of three points.

Accuracy on goal proved to be the difference as East Perth’s straight kicking earned them a hard-fought victory.

The Royals were boosted by an even spread of contributors, Hamish Brayshaw, Coby Burgiel, Sebit Kuek and Thomas Graham each kicking multiple majors, while Stanley Wright won 29 disposals and Scott Jones had 25 along with 34 hit outs.

Stefan Giro led the way for Subiaco with 28 disposals, while Greg Clark and Liam Hickmott each collected 25 disposals.

Clark also laid nine tackles.

The teams could hardly be split in the low-scoring affair, late goals to Graham and Brayshaw giving East Perth the win.

 

PERTH (69) V SOUTH FREMANTLE (82)

The Demons were pipped in the final quarter at Mineral Resources Park, the home side leading at every break before falling late to the Bulldogs.

The lead never got out to any more than 15 points for Perth at any stage.

Charlie Constable was remarkable in the opening round game amassing 38 disposals and taking 12 marks.

Corey Byrne had 31 disposals of his own while Brandon Parfitt and Matthew Taylor each collected 29.

Zack Derksen kicked three goals to lead the way for the Red Legs, but it wasn’t to be as South Fremantle kicked seven last term goals to overrun the home team.

Recruit Trey Ruscoe nailed three goals to lead the way for the visitors, while Jake Florenca and Solomon James each chipped in with two goals apiece.

Ruscoe was dangerous early, kicking two first quarter goals, while Hamish Free kicked one to go with 15 disposals and 24 hit outs.

Ex-Saint Matthew Parker posted 31 disposals, seven marks and nine tackles in a stellar performance, as Matthew Ward and Isiah Winder combined for 53 disposals.

 

WAFLW RESULTS – ROUND 2

• WEST PERTH (11) V CLAREMONT (36)
• EAST FREMANTLE (39) V PEEL THUNDER (26)
• PERTH (7) V SOUTH FREMANTLE (50)
• SUBIACO (48) V EAST PERTH (20)

 

Article by Denholm Melrose – Perth is Ok!