WAFL story lines - WAFLW records broken, dream debuts and draft hopefulsMonday, May 26, 2025 - 8:27 PM - by Jordan McArdle

We take a look at the biggest story lines across the WAFL and WAFLW competitions in our weekly column.

Claremont pair go berserk in WAFLW as Kelly breaks record

Claremont draft prospect Juliet Kelly broke the record for the most disposals in a WAFLW game with a jaw-dropping 48 touches in her side’s big win over East Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

Kelly combined with midfield partner in crime Matilda Sergeant for 92 possessions to go with nine clearances apiece is a dominant one-two punch.

The 17-year-old also laid 10 tackles to go with six inside 50s and a goal in a best-afield display.

East Fremantle product turned Sydney Swans draftee Zippy Fish held the previous WAFLW disposals record with 39, back in Round 7 last season, which Kelly and Sergeant remarkably bettered.

The Tigers prevailed by 67 points, but it still wasn’t enough to snatch top spot from fellow undefeated side Subiaco who also recorded a massive victory.

The Lions beat Peel Thunder by 84 points at Sullivan Logistics Stadium with Krstel Petrevski strengthening her Dhara Kerr Medal chances with another best-on-ground performance.

Tall timber stands up as Mid-Season Draft awaits

Claremont ruckman Oliver Eastland produced a dominant performance in his team’s victory over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday, just five days out from the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Eastland booted three goals to go with a whopping 47-hit-outs, 14 disposals, four inside 50s and three clearances to put his name in lights for a long-awaited AFL shot.

Fellow ruck Lachie Blakiston also impressed on the weekend, playing a part in East Fremantle’s top-of-the-table win over East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

Blakiston had a good battle with East Perth veteran Scott Jones, with his follow-up work around the ground catching the eye.

He finished with 27 hit-outs and a goal.

Souths record first triple-figure win of 2025

South Fremantle became the first League team to record a triple-figure win for the 2025 Sullivan Logistics WAFL season, beating Subiaco by 103 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

Former Collingwood utility Trey Ruscoe kicked a game-high five goals and Brandon Donaldson chipped in with four, while former captain Dylan Main had a successful return to league ranks for the first time this season with 3.2.

Jake Florenca and Matthew Parker were the stars of the show in the midfield, combining for 65 disposals, 13 clearances and two goals.

Griffin does No.8 proud at East Freo

The No.8 was back at East Fremantle for the first time since premiership captain and 197-game legend Matthew Jupp’s retirement at the end of last season with Griffin Vladich stepping up for his senior debut.

Vladich impressed in his first taste of league footy, booting three goals in a hard-fought win over the Royals to show he’s got a bright future.

He was one of two first-gamers for the Sharks with Kobe Austin doing some good things at the other end of the ground as a key defender including a couple of big moments under pressure in the last term.

It’s Summer time for the Black Ducks

Speaking of debuts, Swan Districts WAFLW young gun Summer Ajduk had one to remember in her team’s thrilling win over South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday.

Ajduk, who’s just 16 years old, kicked the sealer in style during the tight contest, shrugging off a tackle before nailing it on the run in tough conditions.

The Black Ducks won by 14 with the usual suspects of Jaime Henry and Carys D’Addario prominent and Taylah Edwards booting four goals.

Former Cats lead the way as Demons bounce back

Ex-Geelong trio Brandan Parfitt, Charlie Constable and Blake Schlensog starred as Perth returned to the winners’ list against reigning champs Peel Thunder at Mineral Resources Park.

Constable (36 disposals and 11 clearances) and Parfitt (30 and five) dominated in the middle, while Schlensog and in-form small forward Lochie Paton were the beneficiaries up forward with four goals apiece.

The Demons are sitting fourth on the WAFL ladder with a 5-2 record, percentage behind the Royals.

Son of a gun stars for Sharks colts ahead of WA Day Derby

It’s not only a top-of-the-table Fremantle WA Derby in the League, the Bulldogs and Sharks are first and second in the EGT Colts competition too.

East Fremantle jumped to second spot on the ladder with a 38-point win over East Perth on Saturday.

Ball magnet Oli McManus, the son of Fremantle Dockers great Shaun, racked up a game-high 29 disposals to go with five inside 50s and four tackles.

It was his fourth game of 23-plus touches in five games.

Cross-town rivals Souths made it five wins on the trot on the back of a stunning performance from Jacob Donald.

Donald kicked three goals from 29 possessions to go with nine inside 50s in a best-afield effort.

Under-16s All-Australian Lucas Robinson was another big performer with 24 touches and six tackle.

The colts version of the Fremantle derby is at 4pm on Monday, straight after the main event.