NAIDOC Round Snapshot: Leading WAFL Indigenous TalentTuesday, July 1, 2025 - 2:53 PM

This week is NAIDOC Round and the Sullivan Logistics WAFL competition has a proud history of celebrating Indigenous players who have made an impact in WA football.

These are not rankings and are not in order, but rather a snapshot that highlights some of the Indigenous talent that are currently playing WAFL football.

1 - Matthew Parker (South Fremantle)

Originally from Melville before being drafted to St. Kilda with Pick 47 in the 2018 AFL National Draft, Parker spent three years in the AFL system, playing 19 games with the Saints and 11 more with Richmond.

He booted 23 goals in his career before returning to South Fremantle in the WAFL in 2021 where he kicked another nine goals in 11 games and made the WAFL State team.

Over the last two seasons Parker has taken his game to another level, averaging 25 disposals per game and this year is laying eight tackles per contest.

He represented the WAFL State team again in 2024 and has currently played 68 games for the Bulldogs.

South Fremantle’s Head of Football Charlie Burke was glowing of Parker, stating that he is not only a great player but a leader who is willing to help others.

“As a club we celebrate NAIDOC week not just on game-day, and Matt is a big driver in this,” Burke said.

“His advice and help to put together our NAIDOC celebrations is something that doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Burke of Parker.

2 - Jiah Reidy (Swan Districts)

An often unheralded, but vital cog in Swan Districts midfield and forward line, Jiah Reidy has played 93 games for the Black Ducks across seven seasons and is eyeing off his highest ever goals tally this year.

Reidy was a member of the 2015 Under 16’s State Academy side and achieved success in 2023 when he became a premiership player for Swan Districts’ Reserves side and was one of the team’s best players on Grand Final day with 24 disposals and eight marks. Reidy has produced many highlight goals across his career, capable of brilliant individual efforts and is averaging a career high in disposals per game.

Speaking about NAIDOC Round, Reidy said “NAIDOC Week is an important time to recognise the contributions that Indigenous players have made to the WAFL.

“As a proud Noongar man, the opportunity to play during NAIDOC Round always brings a deep sense of pride and joy.

“It’s a reminder we are not just playing for ourselves, but representing our families, our community and those who’ve paved the way.

“Being a part of a club like Swan Districts, which has such a strong Aboriginal history, makes it even more special, given the club truly supports and celebrates Indigenous players.”

3 - Brandan Parfitt (Perth)

Dominating for the Demons this season after a superb AFL career with Geelong in which he played 130 games and won a premiership, Parfitt is a proud Larrakia and Warumunga man.

The star midfielder is putting together a fantastic season averaging nearly 30 disposals and over five tackles per game and will be right in the thick of Sandover Medal calculations.

Parfitt has been instrumental in Perth’s success so far this season as they look to advance to finals football for just the second time in 26 seasons.

4 - Isiah Winder (South Fremantle)

One of the WAFL’s most dynamic and damaging players, Winder is playing in his second season with the Bulldogs after returning to full-time WAFL football off the back of a three-year stint with the Eagles in the AFL.

Winder was selected in the 2020 AFL Draft after a Colts season with Peel Thunder where he averaged 28 disposals and more than five tackles per game.

He played seven games for West Coast as well as 27 games for the WAFL affiliate side.

Over the last two years with South Fremantle, Winder has collected over 24 disposals per game and booted 26 goals.

West Coast WAFL Head Coach Kyal Horsley said coaching Isiah was memorable.

“As a player Isiah had the innate ability to see things others couldn’t, had a real goal sense and could move as well as anyone laterally which made him almost impossible to tackle in a contest,” Horsley said.

“What sets him apart is his nature and character.

“He cares for his teammates and understands the joy of football and what makes the game fun and always looks to keep it that way which allows him to get the best out of himself and others around him”.

5 - Traye Benell (Peel Thunder)

128 games into an exceptional state league career, Bennell has been a reliable member of the Thunder’s side for the last nine years and brings experience and leadership to the younger current group.

The Eaton product first debuted in 2015 for South Fremantle before switching across to the Thunder seeking more opportunity.

After breaking into the league side in 2017 he was able to taste the ultimate success with a flag.

He has lauded Peel Thunder stating upon his return for 2025 that “the club has looked after me and it is a family to me and always will be”.

Bennell has averaged 15 disposals and kicked 16 goals throughout his career and remains one of the most impressive Indigenous players in the competition.

6 - Joseph Hinder (West Perth)

A rising star among WAFL circles, Hinder has long been touted as not just one of the most talented Indigenous WAFL players but one of the most talented WA prospects.

His explosive speed, dynamic play and tantalising run made him an exciting player throughout his junior career, and he earned selection in the State Academy team in back-to-back-to-back years.

Since then, he has continued to improve year after year and is now regarded as one of the best wingmen in the WAFL.

His 2025 season to date has been so good that he was rewarded with selection in the WAFL state team that defeated South Australia, and he has become a reliable mainstay in the Falcon’s team.

Hinder will play his 50th game later this season at just 25 years old.

He won a premiership with West Perth in 2022 when he booted two goals and was named in the best players on the day, and looks to have a fantastic WAFL career ahead of him.

7 - Jamaine Jones (South Fremantle)

Originally from Broken Hill in New South Wales, Jones, a Barkindji man, was drafted to Geelong in 2016 and after playing seven games for the Cats made the move to WA in 2020 as a Pre-season Supplementary selection period rookie for West Coast.

Jones would go on to play 59 games for the Eagles before joining South Fremantle in 2025 and has established himself as one of the WAFL’s most important players.

Jones has been an integral part of the Bulldogs flag aspirations as they sit atop the WAFL ladder as premiership favourites.

Jones was also named a member of this year’s WAFL State team.

8 - Reuben McGuire (East Fremantle)

Sharks ruckman Reuben McGuire is 54 games into his WAFL career and at just 24 years old has a bright future ahead of him.

McGuire has already won a premiership with East Fremantle in 2023 and was named in the best players on Grand Final Day.

He won a second flag last season in the Reserves competition.

With fellow ruck Lachlan Blakiston being picked up by Essendon in the mid-season draft, extra responsibility has fallen upon McGuire’s shoulders and he’s thrived having had two of his best league-level games of 2025 in the last three weeks.

McGuire had 16 disposals, 18 hit outs and two goals against West Perth and over the weekend booted three goals in their narrow loss to Subiaco.

McGuire is a former State 16’s and 18’s representative who has designed NAIDOC jerseys for his club in the past, and stated “It makes me immensely proud to be a Nyoongar man and tell the stories of my culture through my love for football”.

9 - Richard Bartlett (Subiaco)

A former State Under 16’s talent, Bartlett played two league games for the Lions last season after putting together an impressive Reserves campaign in which he booted 25 goals from 16 matches.

Following three seasons at Reserves level, Bartlett has taken his game to another level this year and has strung together 10 consecutive games at League level to establish himself as part of Subiaco’s senior side.

Bartlett capped this off with his best career game over the weekend in the side’s one point victory over the Sharks, kicking three goals from 14 disposals and six marks.

Bartlett will now look at add to his 12 League games as the 22-year-old’s career begins to take off.

10 - Koby Evans (Perth)

A West Coast Eagles NGA product with Bunurung heritage, Evans is one of WA’s leading hopefuls to be drafted in November after putting together a fantastic bottom-age season for Perth last year.

While his 2025 campaign has been hampered by a back injury that has kept him out of the National Championships, Evans is a highly touted midfielder and forward who should have a big impact for the Demons in the back half of the season as they push to make finals.

Evans is a big body who can impact aerially and on the scoreboard and Eagles fans can be excited about what he could bring in the future.