Welcome back: The best players returning to the WAFL in 2026Wednesday, November 26, 2025 - 10:30 AM - by Jordan McArdle

From returning AFL players to WAFL premiership heroes, Bernie Naylor medallist and even a Big Bash League cricketer, we take a look at the best players coming back to the WAFL for season 2026.

Ben Sokol

Club: Subiaco

Position: Forward

Age: 30

Returning from: Mundijong Central/Peel Football Netball League

Ben Sokol has a serious WAFL resume including three premierships, two Bernie Naylor Medals and a Simpson Medal in Subiaco’s 2019 triumph.

The Lions sharpshooter retired from the WAFL at the end of 2024 after 161 senior games to go with four appearances for the Kia WAFL State Team.

He spent a year with Mundijong Centrals in the Peel competition before decided to link up with returning coach Jarrad Schofield in a massive boost for Subi’s chances of rising up the ladder.

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Connor West

Club: West Perth

Position: Midfielder

Age: 26

Returning from: Scarborough/Perth Football League

The former West Coast-listed player adds valuable experience to West Perth, returning to the club after a season in the Perth Football League with Scarborough.

West, a West Perth product who tallied 28 AFL games for the Eagles, is a massive coup for new Falcons coach Paul Sanzone.

 

Max Spyvee

Club: Claremont

Position: Midfielder

Age: 24

Returning from: Augusta-Margaret River/South West

Spyvee hasn’t played in the WAFL for a few years, with his last appearance for Claremont back in the 2022 senior grand final loss to West Perth.

Once considered an AFL draft prospect, the now 24-year-old has been plying his trade in the South West for Augusta-Margaret River the past two seasons.

He’s a welcome return for the Tigers, who have already lost key pair Jye Bolton and Lachlan Martinis to retirement.

 

Jaxon McGowan

Club: Subiaco

Position: Midfielder

Age: 23

Returning from: Kingsway/Perth Football League

McGowan is another huge return for Subiaco, two years since he left to play in the Perth Football League for Kingsway.

In his first year out of the WAFL, McGowan won the CJ Jamieson Medal as the A-Grade competition’s fairest-and-best player to go with the grand final best-on-ground medal as Kingsway claimed premiership glory over Trinity-Aquinas.

He’s also had some success at Subiaco, winning colts and reserves premierships before tallying 14 league appearances.

 

Taj Wyburd

Club: Peel Thunder

Position: Midfielder

Age: 21

Returning from: Geelong/VFL

Wyburd returns to the Thunder for the first time since helping the club to grand final glory in 2024 with a win over East Perth at Optus Stadium.

The 21-year-old, who also won a colts flag for Peel back in 2022, spent last season in Geelong, playing a mix of VFL and locally, but is locked in for WAFL 2026 in a huge coup for the club.

 

Darcy Craven

Club: East Perth

Position: Small forward

Age: 21

Returning from: Brisbane Lions/AFL

From the two-time reigning AFL premiers to the two-time WAFL grand finalists, Craven is heading back to the Royals after a stint in Brisbane.

The talented small forward was picked up by the Lions in the 2024 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft but was delisted recently after one-and-a-half seasons.

He only played three league games for East Perth before getting drafted but expect Craven to be a different beast this time around.

 

Noah Pegoraro

Club: West Perth

Position: Key defender

Age: 28

Returning from: Victoria

Once one of the WAFL competition’s premier defenders, Pegoraro’s return is another huge plus for Paul Sanzone’s Falcons.

The 194cm defender is a three-time State representative who had AFL interest during his last stint in the WAFL.

He’s such a consistent contributor down back and is an exciting return after playing in Victoria last season.

 

 

Clint Hinchliffe

Club: Swan Districts

Position: Midfielder

Age: 29

Returning from: Ocean Ridge/Perth Football League

This is one of the more left-field WAFL returns, after a decade out for the West Perth product who now calls Swan Districts home.

Hinchliffe was once considered an AFL Draft prospect during his Falcons and State 18s days, but went down the cricket path and ended up playing in the Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers.

After dominating in the Perth Football League, the hard-working midfielder has decided to give the WAFL another crack and it’s going to be exciting to see how it all pans out.

 

Callum Jamieson

Club: West Coast

Age: 25

Returning from: West Coast AFL

As reported by The West Australian this week, Callum Jamieson is locked in for WAFL 2026 after getting delisted by West Coast recently after 17 AFL appearances.

Jamieson is a versatile tall who has played as a key defender, key forward or in the ruck.

He’s opted to play for the Eagles WAFL side, rather than return to his original club Claremont who are stacked for tall timber.