WAFL Story Lines - Comebacks, upsets, sparkling debuts, brotherly love and moreMonday, June 23, 2025 - 4:51 PM - by Jordan McArdle

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

Comeback kings and queens

There were comebacks aplenty across the WAFL and WAFLW competitions, highlighted by Fremantle Dockers trio Michael Walters, Jaeger O’Meara and Brandon Walker.

O’Meara lined up in Peel Thunder’s loss to South Fremantle in Mandurah on Saturday in what was his first WAFL appearance in 5040 days.

The veteran Dockers midfielder last featured in the WAFL as a teenager for Perth Demons – a win over Swan Districts in Round 24, 2011 - with 191 AFL games across three clubs in between.

According to WAFL Footy Facts, it was the second-biggest gap in between games, 21 behind Geelong legend Harry Taylor for East Fremantle.

The 31-year-old had 26 disposals and seven clearances in his return from foot and hamstring injuries.

Star forward Walters played his first game of the season after recovering from a calf issue, while speedy defender Walker (shoulder) got through his first game since Round 2 of the AFL season.

South Fremantle also had a pair of returning talents with State 18s squad members Ryda Luke (hip) and Alira Fotu (knee) making successful comebacks.

Luke kicked two goals in the Bulldogs’ big colts win over Peel, with the multi-talented Fotu - who's also a Perth Lynx development player in the WNBL - also kicking two in her first game of the season as Souths handed Subiaco their first loss of the season.

Former Brisbane Lions big man Kalin Lane made his return from an ACL tear in Claremont’s reserves victory over West Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Lane booted two goals to go with 15 disposals and 15 hit-outs in his first game for the Tigers in more than four years after spending three seasons with the Lions.

Subi’s streak over…

Subiaco’s unbeaten start to the WAFLW season came to a grinding halt at the hands of a red-hot South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

The Bulldogs prevailed by 43 points – 7.6 (48) to 0.5 (5) – with Alira Fotu, Shannyn Pomersbach and Jasmine Bazeley kicking two goals apiece and ruck duo Charlotte Vandenberg and Hannah Burt starring.

Both teams were missing key players due to WA under-18s duties with Subiaco without Olivia Crane and gun goal-kicker Olivia Wolmarans, while State co-captain Renee Morgan was out for the Bulldogs.

It was a fair turnaround after Souths were on the receiving end of WAFLW newcomers Perth’s first ever victory the previous week.

…the Lions won in the WAFL though

While it was a disappointing day for the Lions in the WAFLW, their WAFL side impressed with an upset win over East Perth in the battle of Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their 2015 flag, with legends like Lachlan Delahunty, Chris Phelan, Darren Rumble and Jarrad Schofield in attendance, Subiaco did the past players proud with a backs-to-the-wall triumph on Saturday night.

North Beach product Sonny Siano had a debut to remember with two majors including a goal-of-the-round nomination.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Subiaco Football Club (@subiacolions)

Siano grew up supporting Subiaco and presented former captain Leigh Kitchin with his premiership medal after their 2018 grand final victory over West Perth.

Running machine Stefan Giro was best-afield in the 10-point win with 29 disposals and two goals.

It was the Lions’ second win of the season, taking them off the bottom of the ladder.

Swan Districts also caused an upset in Round 11, knocking off the highly-fancied East Fremantle with Josh Cipro having a day out.

Cipro finished with 34 disposals, a whopping 14 clearances, nine tackles and a goal, one week after celebrating his 100th league game.

Seb-sational mark!

It wasn’t East Perth’s night, but high flyer Sebit Kuek took a sensational grab in the wet.

The human highlight reel got some serious airtime to rise above a pack before pulling down a brilliant mark inside 50.

Huge grab from @EastPerthFC forward and former Docker Sebit Kuek in tough conditions in the WAFL on Saturday night. ????
Well called by @camrobbins1964 too! pic.twitter.com/tvJKocQ6Ta

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) June 23, 2025

The former Docker has 16 goals in nine appearances for the Royals this season.

Souths on top

South Fremantle won all five of their matches across the WAFL and WAFLW competitions over the weekend and sit atop the ladder in WAFL, reserves and colts.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by South Fremantle WAFLW (@sffcbulldogswaflw)

Former North Melbourne ruck Hamish Free was the star of the show in the seniors with 20 possessions, six clearances, 41 hit-outs and a goal.

Midfield duo Jake Florenca (29 disposals, seven clearances and a goal) and Matthew Parker (24, 11 clearances and eight inside 50s) continued their dominant form.

State 18s train-on Byron Foster caught the eye in the colts with a massive performance in the ruck, racking up 25 disposals, 22 hit-outs and eight clearances.

Brothers in arms

It was a historic day for Subiaco’s trio of Henderson siblings, who played their first  game together in the reserves.

Lachlan, Finley and Campbell all featured in the Lions’ narrow loss to East Perth on Saturday.