Players to watch in WAFL Round 10 as star Dockers veteran makes injury return for Peel Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 9:29 AM - by Jordan McArdle

Michael Walters (Peel Thunder)

The veteran Dockers champion will make his long-awaited return from injury in Peel Thunder’s alignment derby clash against West Coast at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah on Saturday.

Walters hasn’t played at any level this season due to knee issues but will add a wealth of experience and x-factor to the Thunder’s line-up fresh off a bye as he looks to push his case for an AFL recall.

The 34-year-old last featured for Peel in Round 20 last season which was his first home-and-away appearance for the club in a decade.

WAFL stats: 2025 return

Michael Walters' comeback will take an important step forward on the weekend. Walters to play for Peel Thunder, Sean Darcy may join him in the WAFL | @freodockers @ashnelson08 @AFL #AFL pic.twitter.com/fX82c1IsZf

— 10 News First Perth (@10NewsFirstPER) June 11, 2025

Harley Sparks (West Coast)

A move from the half-back line to midfield in the past couple of weeks has done wonders for Sparks.

The Eagles’ reigning best-and-fairest winner has bounced back after a slow start to the season due to a head knock.

He’s become a versatile player for West Coast and even got the run-with task on Demons star Brandan Parfitt last week and kept him to three third-quarter disposals.

2025 average disposals: 19.5

Jesse Turner (Swan Districts)

The Swan Districts skipper has led from the front once again this season and is such a consistent force in the engine-room.

Turner is averaging nearly 31 disposals per game including 37, nine marks and a goal in his last appearance against West Coast before the bye.

He is one of the keys to an upset win over the Demons and their star-studded midfield led by former Geelong pair Brandan Parfitt and Charlie Constable at Steel Blue Oval this weekend.

2025 average disposals: 30.9

Lochy Paton (Perth)

The dangerous small forward is putting together a consistent season for the Demons to be among the leading goal-kickers in the competition.

Paton booted three goals in Perth’s win over West Coast last week to take his season tally to 19 from 10 games which is equal-fifth overall.

The 21-year-old has got plenty of pace, is accurate by foot and provides excellent defensive pressure.

2025 average goals: 1.9

Isiah Winder (South Fremantle)

The former West Coast midfielder/forward is coming off a dominant performance in a Fremantle Derby thrashing of cross-town rivals East Fremantle on WA Day.

He’s a classy ball user, is sound defensively and can also drift forward and hit the scoreboard.

Winder, 23, won South Fremantle’s best-and-fairest in his first season out of the AFL last year and will be right up there once again, averaging more than 21 disposals and a goal per game.

2025 average disposals: 21.2

Coby Burgiel (East Perth)

Another ex-West Coast player who’s found his groove in the WAFL, Burgiel is one of the best line-breaking talents in the competition.

Burgiel is super quick and damaging by foot and while he’s not among the leading disposal getters in the WAFL, he makes the most of it when he gets the footy.

He was outstanding in his first WA Day Derby, booting two goals from 19 disposals to help the Royals to a big win over their arch-rivals.

2025 average disposals: 13.6