SEASON PREVIEW Wednesday, March 16, 2016

TRIPLE TREAT LIONS GUNNING FOR HAT-TRICK OF FLAGS

INSIDE HOW YOUR CLUB IS SHAPING UP Hungry for success: Subiaco coach Jarrad Schofi eld and talented trio Lachlan PLUS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AMATEUR, Delahunty, left, captain and Leigh Kitchin. COUNTRY, WOMEN’S AND JUNIOR RANKS Picture: Ian Munro 2 WAFL 2016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016

2016 SEASON PREVIEW For all your WAFL news thewest.com.au Title race to get tighter

ᔡ John Townsend Jones and Angus Graham to again and improving on their Dawson stood down following coach at AFL level, has taken bolster last year’s wooden third and fourth positions. a three-year stint in which on the job at East Fifteen wins separated first spooners. The AFL restriction of just East made two grand where he hopes to lift the and last positions on the A closer competition would 90 interchanges a match will finals and the former West Sharks from the depths of the WAFL ladder at the end of the be welcome in a year when most likely filter down to the Coast ruckman has stamped ladder. 2015 season. West Perth will celebrate two WAFL affiliates where his mark on the group by Todd Curley will enter his While it is conceivable that their 125th birthday and the league will monitor the demanding improved fitness. second season at the helm of Subiaco and Perth will top Perth will try to end their issue as it mulls its own rule But the Royals will be South Fremantle, while Greg and tail the ladder again this finals drought before it changes to keep the best without captain , Harding, after just missing year, it is more likely that the extends to a WAFL record players on the field for longer. who like South Fremantle’s the finals with Swan Districts gap between first and last will 19th consecutive season. WAFL clubs averaged 118 Cory Dell’Olio, and Leroy last year, may find the going shrink dramatically. But the Demons can take interchanges a game last year Jetta (Peel), has been tougher after the loss of The Lions have lost six heart from Peel, who took 18 and though there is no suspended for the season mature duo Ryan Davis and premiership players, years to break their finals thought being given to after their involvement in the Nathan Broad to the AFL. including their entire grand duck and then got within four matching the SANFL’s Essendon supplements saga. Claremont will hope to final full-forward line and goals of a preliminary final. 50-interchange limit, there is Rob Wiley, a brilliant rover improve on successive barnstorming midfielder Sam Bolstered by their West little doubt that restrictions with Perth, Richmond and fifth-place finishes as they Menegola, while Perth have Coast and Fremantle players, will be introduced soon. the Eagles, a former Demons prepare to move into the best executed two recruiting coups East Perth and Peel would be Jaymie Graham took the coach and a long-time State league facility in the by convincing AFL pair Clint confident of making finals reins at the Royals after Brian assistant and development country in 2017.

TIPSTERS JOHN TOWNSEND DALE MILLER RUSSELL REID NICK RYNNE BRIDGET LACY ROSS LEWIS MARK READINGS PETER BELL 1ST Subiaco Subiaco Subiaco West Perth Subiaco East Perth Subiaco Subiaco Subiaco 2ND West Perth West Perth East Perth Subiaco Peel Subiaco West Perth West Perth West Perth 3RD East Perth Peel West Perth Peel East Perth Peel East Perth East Perth Peel 4TH Peel East Perth Peel Claremont East Fremantle South Fremantle Peel Peel East Perth 5TH South Fremantle East Fremantle South Fremantle Swan Districts West Perth West Perth East Fremantle Swan Districts South Fremantle 6TH Claremont Swan Districts Swan Districts East Perth Swan Districts Perth Claremont Claremont Claremont 7TH Perth South Fremantle Claremont South Fremantle Claremont Swan Districts Swan Districts East Fremantle Swan Districts 8TH Swan Districts Perth East Fremantle Perth Perth Claremont South Fremantle South Fremantle East Fremantle WOODEN SPOON East Fremantle Claremont Perth East Fremantle South Fremantle East Fremantle Perth Perth Perth PREMIERS Subiaco West Perth Subiaco West Perth Subiaco East Perth Subiaco Subiaco Subiaco Paul Johnson (EP) Chris Phelan (S) Aaron Black (WP) (SF) (EF) Brant Colledge (EP) Ashton Hams (SF) Aaron Black (WP) Chris Phelan (S) BERNIE NAYLOR MEDAL Ben Saunders (SF) Matthew Watson (EF) Ben Saunders (SF) Michael Lourey (WP) Shane Yarran (PT) Shane Yarran (PT) Michael Lourey (WP) Matthew Watson (EF) Michael Lourey (WP) BIG YEAR Jarrad Schofi eld (S) Liam McKenna (P) Matthew Watson (EF) (SD) (P) Murray McHenry (WAFC) Jarrad Schofi eld (S) Murray Newman (SD) Francis Watson (C) * The South Fremantle and West Perth match in round one will be played at 2.10pm. The time change was made after the fi xture card inside this magazine was printed.

WAFL 2016 SEASON PREVIEW Editorial: Newspaper House, 50 Hasler Road, Osborne Park, WA, 6017 Telephone: (08) 9482 3111 Editorial fax: (08) 9482 3157

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LAST YEAR 1ST SUBIACO FC WINS 19 Coach Jarrad Schofi eld Captain Kyal Horsley Flags 12 Last one 2015 LOSSES 3 Major sponsors QBE, Medibank, KC Sports, Phoenix Holden Ground Medibank Stadium Address Vincent Street, Leederville Inquiries 9208 9999 Big changes for premiers

ᔡ John Townsend Fremantle (1952-54), Swan forced to bide their time in Districts (1961-63 and 1982-84), the reserves. The final siren in last year’s Perth (1966-68) and East Perth Subiaco thought tagger grand final had sounded only (2000-02) are the only other would return a few minutes earlier when clubs to achieve the feat to his initial WAFL club, and triumphant Subiaco coach under the current finals had Hawthorn discard Sam identified regime. Grimley on the books briefly, his next challenge. It will be a tough challenge but both will ply their trade “I would like to think we — and made harder by the for Essendon this season. could (get the hat-trick),” loss of a group of outstanding Former Fremantle rookie Schofield said as his players players — but one thing Hamish Shepheard has been celebrated their second Subiaco have confirmed in earmarked to replace straight premiership. recent times is their ability to Grimley. Three is significantly maintain their excellence no Ruckman David Madut is harder than two, but matter the circumstances. expected to have a significant Schofield and his men have The loss of livewire workload, while underrated no qualms about setting their forwards Matt Boland, Shane big man Clancy Wheeler will sights on the highest heights Yarran and Chris Deluca, again have important jobs in this season. who kicked 13 goals between attack, defence and on the “It was mentioned at the them on the final day of the ball. start of pre-season, but we 2015 season, and grand final Subiaco’s success last haven’t talked about it since stars Darren Rumble, Sam season was built on the most then. It is up to the group to Menegola and Scott miserly defence in nearly a drive themselves to achieve Worthington, will provide a century of the competition. something,” Schofield said. series of speed bumps for the Rumble was the general in “No doubt it is going to be a Subiaco juggernaut. the back line and though he tight comp. Everyone looks to But the club has already retired with six flags to his come hard at the premiership plugged several holes, with name, Subiaco believe Declan team, so we know we have to premiership winners Adam Jackson can step into his find ways to improve.” Cockie and giant shoes. Schofield was a key player returning after time in the The Lions also boast in the middle of last decade east, South Fremantle recruit Jordan Lockyer, who proved a when the Lions were the last Ben Sokol looking a likely rock at centre half-back WAFL team to complete a prospect in attack and a host where he will be the pivotal Big loss: Subiaco’s Matt Boland, who kicked seven goals in the 2015 hat-trick of flags, while of home-grown juniors member of the side’s defence grand final to win the . Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images Claremont (1938-40), South maturing well after being this season. PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES ALLISON-GREEN, Jay 63 05/05/97 Warwick Greenwood JFC — FIMMANO, Braden 32 28/10/95 South Fremantle 2 McPHEE, Mitchell 49 08/04/93 West Perth — BARNS, Chad 48 21/01/97 North Beach — GARCIA, James 22 29/12/93 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 12 MOORE, Simon 6 18/01/93 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 37 BESTRY, Jordan 25 05/03/95 Kingsway 6 HALLIGAN, Kyle 35 11/05/94 Warwick Greenwood JFC 29 PANIZZA, Matthew 38 27/06/94 Southern Cross — BLECHYNDEN, Reece 3 02/02/90 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 66 HANCOCK, Scott 16 11/05/92 East Fremantle 22 PHELAN, Chris 15 25/07/88 Kingsley 119 BOGENSPERGER, Matt 47 29/01/93 Kalgoorlie 5 HATCH, Joshua 61 16/07/97 Kingsway — ROBINSON, Brett 11 04/12/85 Swan Districts 19 BORCHET, Ryan 52 15/05/97 Railways — HAY, Nick 30 01/06/92 Kalgoorlie 2 RYAN, Liam 63 02/10/96 Rovers, GNFL — BRADLEY, Sean 37 30/12/92 Hamersley Carine 1 HEAL, Aaron 36 12/07/92 Baldivis 24 SCAFIDI, Joe 45 07/03/95 Mines Rovers 3 BRAUT, Michael 65 27/06/97 Mt Hawthorn — HOOPER, Tom 38 16/09/96 Sorrento Duncraig JFC — SCARROTT, Kalani 60 27/03/96 Peel Thunder — BROUGHTON, Greg 8 29/09/86 Kingsley 76 HORSLEY, Kyal 1 02/09/87 Kalgoorlie 124 SHEPHEARD, Hamish — 28/10/90 East Perth/Aug-Marg River — BRYAN, Chris 40 06/10/95 North Beach 4 HOSKINS, Craig 24 17/10/92 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 9 SMITH, Thomas 34 31/03/94 North Warnnambool 4 BURNETT, Ethan 54 02/02/97 Newtown Condingup — HUGHES, James 43 12/07/94 Melville — SOKOL, Ben 28 28/10/95 South Fremantle — CARY, Jack 58 06/10/95 Esperance — JACKSON, Declan 23 27/08/94 Collie 9 STEVENSON, Brad 19 27/06/88 West Coast Cowan 57 CHAPMAN, Josh 65 05/10/97 Carine — JOHNS, Marlon 62 27/09/90 Coolbellup — TWOMEY, Wayde 9 21/01/86 Swan Districts 35 CLARK, Greg 12 12/05/97 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 2 JOYCE, Justin 31 30/12/92 Carine 27 UNDERWOOD, Josh 56 06/09/96 Kingsway — CLARKE, Dylan 41 21/03/94 Kalgoorlie City 4 KENNEDY, Abraham 61 06/02/97 Coolbinia — VERMEERSCH, Ryan 58 12/09/95 Gibson FC — COCKIE, Adam 7 18/04/89 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 63 KENNEDY, Hayden 33 27/04/95 Mines Rovers 22 WADE, Ryan 31 05/07/91 Kingsley 13 CREEPER, Adam 42 19/10/96 Sorrento Duncraig JFC — KITCHIN, Leigh 5 08/09/90 Frankston 22 WALTERS, Max 35 09/08/96 Whitfords — DANIELS, Raymond 13 05/05/92 Swan Districts 21 LATHAM, Joel 39 03/04/92 West Perth 38 WATERS, Brad 53 13/04/96 Sorrento Duncraig JFC — DELAHUNTY, Lachlan 17 26/10/90 Frankston 30 LEFANU, Charlie 26 21/12/93 Mines Rovers 44 WATERS, Rhys 4 14/10/93 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 62 DOYLE, Andrew 55 15/04/97 North Beach — LOCKYER, Jordan 21 15/06/93 West Perth 22 WHEELER, Clancy 20 28/03/88 Newtown Condingup 96 ECCLES, James 63 18/03/97 Warwick Greenwood JFC — MADUT, David 27 01/10/93 Kingsway 18 WOOD, Michael 2 15/07/94 Sorrento Duncraig JFC 28 EDWARDS, Tim 46 03/02/96 Carine — MAHONEY, Brett 14 03/05/90 Mansfi eld 73 WOODLEY, Jeremy 51 15/05/96 Kingsley — ELLIOTT, Dylan 29 04/03/93 Ocean Ridge 12 MARINOVICH, Jake 62 02/08/96 Sorrento Duncraig JFC — WRIGLEY, Chris 57 22/06/95 Peel Thunder — FETHERSTONHAUGH, Bill 18 26/04/94 Gibson FC 22 McKENZIE, Shaquille 44 22/04/94 Northern Cobras/East Perth — YARRAN, Hayden 59 30/04/92 West Perth — 4 WAFL 2016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016

LAST YEAR 2ND WEST PERTH FC WINS 15 Coach Bill Monaghan Captain Flags 19 Last one 2013 LOSSES 9 Major sponsors City of Joondalup, Lakeside Joondalup, Channel 9, Sunday Times/Perth Now, QLS Caffi Ground HBF Arena Address Kennedya Drive, Joondalup Inquiries 9300 3611 Falcons work on faster ball ᔡ Nick Rynne “Our challenge now is to keep defending well, but to Of all the lessons West Perth look at ways that we can learnt in last year’s 66-point score. grand final loss to Subiaco, “That generally means one stuck with them over moving the ball quickly and summer — the need to move running the ball a bit more the ball faster. than we might have done in The Falcons advanced to the past. the decider on the back of a “We know there’s a lot of defensively geared game plan. hard work ahead of us and If they could hold the other just because we played in a team out, coach Bill grand final doesn’t mean Monaghan figured, they we’re going to finish top five would be in a position to win this year. more games than they lost. “But we’re confident if we But in a shoot-out with a work hard and improve in the dominant, ball-carrying areas that we need to, we’ll be Lions outfit, the Falcons’ around the money again.” inability to kick a big total led The desire to move the ball to their downfall. quickly and score was at the The Falcons finished the heart of the Falcons’ Firepower: has joined West Perth after being de-listed by Fremantle. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images 2015 regular season ranked recruiting over the off-season. second in defence, conceding Their biggest signing was the club’s forward stocks. final loss wouldn’t be a major “There wasn’t a lot of an average of 72 points, but de-listed Fremantle forward The loss of key defender motivation throughout the positive stuff to take out of fourth in attack (84). Max Duffy, a creative finisher, Marcus Adams to the 2016 campaign. grand final day, we were “I think it’s well who managed 79 goals in 51 leaves a “Obviously we were all soundly beaten in just about documented across the board, games for East Fremantle and large hole, but the club hopes shattered, particularly the every area. from the AFL to the State Peel. to fill that via the natural players,” he said. “But there’s a fair bit we leagues, that scoring has Joel Leeson (Perth) and improvement of youngsters “But we haven’t really need to look glass-half-full at really dried up,” Monaghan Keegan Knott (Claremont) Tyler Keitel and Sam Rotham. spent a lot of time focusing on and work out what we did said. were also brought in to boost Monaghan said the grand that. well to get to there.” PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES ALEXANDER, Max 5 07/11/91 Stirling 11 HINCHCLIFFE, Clint 50 23/10/96 Ocean Ridge — MUNNS, Dean 32 28/09/95 Beacon — ALEXANDRE, Nathan 64 01/06/97 Quinns — INNES, Angus 44 01/02/96 Kingsley — NELSON, Scott 67 15/12/97 Edgewater Woodvale — ALLEN, Angus 68 05/08/97 Whitfords — KEITEL, Tyler 37 07/02/96 East Perth 14 NELSON, Shane 14 11/05/93 Edgewater Woodvale 81 ANTONIO, Brayden 2 09/08/94 Quinns 24 KERR, Rohan 4 17/11/91 Dandenong/Carlton 60 O’BRIEN, Tom 60 09/03/97 Kulin Kondinin — ANTONIO, Mitchell 62 18/03/97 Quinns — KEUNEN, Chris 19 07/10/83 St Bridgets 172 PEIRCE, Mitch 25 04/10/96 Whitfords — ASHFIELD, Michael 52 23/05/96 Kingsley — KING, Ben 45 23/10/92 Gingin 3 POTENTE, Steven 27 10/10/90 High Wycombe/Swan Districts 46 BATTERHAM, James 29 05/04/93 Carine 6 KIRWEN, Jesse 48 13/05/95 Warwick Greenwood — RASMUSSEN, Laine 21 02/04/93 Sorrento Duncraig 68 BLACK, Aaron 1 25/12/92 Kingsley 109 KNOTT, Keegan 33 20/07/92 Claremont — RODDA, Nicholas 20 06/07/94 Whitfords 59 BONNEY, Shane 51 31/03/91 Brigades — LARMETT, Ewan 70 04/11/97 Ocean Ridge — ROHDE, Drew 11 31/08/93 Whitfords 28 BROWNE, Steven 7 01/02/89 Whitfords 118 LEESON, Joel 16 08/08/91 Perth — ROTHAM, Sam 28 09/04/96 Whitfords 7 CHALMERS, Corey 6 24/11/94 Quinns 14 LOUREY, Michael 8 06/10/89 Frankston 24 RYAN, Brad 46 30/09/94 Dandaragan — CLEMETT, William 69 17/06/93 Whitfords — LYNCH, Aidan 40 27/09/94 Edgewater Woodvale 23 SAUNDERS, Zachary 53 16/01/96 Joondalup Kinross — COLEMAN, Kael 63 24/01/97 North Beach — LYNCH, Conal 66 10/09/97 Edgewater Woodvale — SHANNON, Kris 22 09/08/92 Quinns 35 DENYSIUK, Bryce 56 06/05/95 Karrinyup — MANNERS, Troy 42 01/07/96 Whitfords — SHEA, William 55 06/04/93 Swan Districts — DOLMAN, Riley 65 20/03/97 Kingsley — MANNING, Kody 47 28/09/91 Ocean Ridge 70 STRIJK, Andrew 3 18/10/87 Carine 171 DOUGLAS, Matthew 54 12/06/96 Morley — MANZONE, Trent 9 27/09/91 Aspley 43 TEDESCO, Luke 23 08/03/87 Wanneroo 144 DUFFY, Max 24 11/04/93 Fremantle — McGILLIVRAY, Ben 39 28/04/92 Moora — TURNER, Jacob 59 05/01/97 Quinns — FOWLER, Matt 17 11/10/91 Southport 49 MEADOWS, Luke 13 16/11/94 Kingsley 27 VAN BERLO, Jay 18 18/09/88 Whitfords 123 FULLGRABE, Kaidyn 41 14/09/95 Ocean Ridge — MILLS, Jordan 35 13/12/90 Kingsley — VAN BERLO, Mitchell 12 01/10/93 Whitfords 16 GERAGHTY, Martin 38 15/02/94 Whitfords — MORROW, Joseph 26 27/11/89 Wanneroo 36 WALTON, Broderick 31 24/04/94 Kingsley — GUADAGNIN, Matt 10 17/10/83 Southern Cross 191 MOULTON, Tyson 34 23/01/96 Wanneroo — WILHELM, Blake 43 11/09/92 Wanneroo 7 HAMILTON, Mark 36 23/10/91 Palmerston — MOZHAEV, Seva 30 01/01/91 Subiaco 19 ZANETTI, Shayne 15 26/12/90 Quinns 31 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 WAFL 2016 5

LAST YEAR 3RD EAST PERTH FC WINS 13 Coach Jaymie Graham Captains Kyle Anderson, Craig Wulff Flags 17 Last one 2002 LOSSES 10 Major sponsors Tint-a-Car, Allianz, AHG, Covs Ground Medibank Stadium Address Vincent Street, Leederville Inquiries 9443 2259 Royals keep knocking

ᔡ Russell Reid

East Perth coach Jaymie Graham believes the club is well placed to challenge for this year’s premiership after some near misses in recent times. The Royals lost consecutive grand finals to West Perth and Subiaco in 2013 and 2014 before bowing out to the Falcons in last year’s preliminary final. Rookie league coach Graham has taken the reins from Brian Dawson, who will stay on as a director of coaching in 2016. Graduating to the top job at East Perth after development positions with St Kilda and West Coast, Graham said the round-one game against Claremont at Medibank Stadium couldn’t come quickly enough. The former West Coast and Opportunities: Craig Wulff will co-captain the Royals with full-back Kyle Anderson in Jaymie Graham’s first season as coach. Picture: Michael Wilson South Fremantle utility player said he was excited a bit of time down here “I’m passionate about that skills and decision making lines up for the first time this about coaching in his own helping the boys. area. We are in a unique and mastering the season. right at WAFL level. “It has made my job easier position I suppose at East fundamentals.” “We have seen Stephen “I’m really looking forward in the pre-season because I Perth, in a partnership so we Graham said the loss of Payne and Mitch Fraser step to the challenge,” Graham can really help with the get an influx of players from Brendan Lee this season for up with the leadership in the said. development of East Perth week-to-week. his involvement in the absence of Brendan Lee and “Brian Dawson staying on players, which has been our “But we can’t recruit, so it’s Essendon supplements you can also put Kyle board as a mentor has made main focus.” really important that we do program of 2012 had been a Anderson in that boat,” the transition easy. Graham said working at work hard on developing East setback. But he said Lee’s Graham said. “Also Luke Dwyer coming St Kilda and the Eagles in Perth players and their zones. absence had created an “He’s really working hard on board with the ressies and development roles, coupled “Developing players has opportunity for Kyle on his leadership with an having guys on like Ray with Dawson’s presence, had been a primary focus of the Anderson to take a senior opportunity that has arisen Smithers, Ian Lee, Adam helped make the transition to coaching group. We want to leadership role. from a bad situation. Kyle has McMahon and Russell league coach seamless. be committed, get our hands Reliable full-back Anderson got great respect from the Thompson, along with the “Obviously my role at the dirty and really work on and veteran Craig Wulff will playing group, is a real honest three development coaches Eagles is development and it developing our list. be co-captains, Wulff set to contributor game day and is , was with St Kilda as well,” “We have worked really break ’s club starting to really develop and , who spend he said. hard over the summer on our record of 269 games when he off-field as well.” PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES YOUNG, Will 1 28/07/96 Augusta-Margaret River — ROCHE, David 26 17/05/93 Southerners — RIDLEY, Alex 51 30/04/95 Mt Lawley Inglewood — PAYNE, Stephen 2 07/10/90 Augusta-Margaret River 94 POWELL-PEPPER, Sam 27 08/01/98 Mt Hawthorn — CHRISP, Kobe 52 15/08/97 Ellenbrook — FRASER, Mitchell 3 17/05/94 Busselton 57 JONES, Scott 28 20/05/95 Busselton — JONES, Jake 53 15/02/96 Wembley — HILLE, Shayne 4 11/05/96 Morley 9 GARDOUD, Agid 30 01/09/92 Nollamara/Bakari Royals 1 EATON, Nathan 54 26/05/97 Mt Lawley — HOWLETT, Mitchell 5 16/03/93 Busselton 26 BRADSHAW, Trent 31 06/01/94 Mt Lawley Inglewood — LOO, Joshua 55 13/02/96 Belmont — ANDERSON, Kyle 6 01/01/90 Augusta-Margaret River 76 BLACKLEY, Matthew 32 01/02/95 Towns — ALLSOP, Ciaran 56 06/01/97 Coolbinia — MOSS, Garry 8 05/07/88 Marist/Hawthorn 91 LAGUE, Mitchell 33 23/07/93 Busselton 3 HEWETT, Joshua 57 20/05/97 Busselton — AMEDURI, Julian 9 12/03/94 Noranda 10 CURTIN, Thomas 35 17/12/93 Ongerup/University — AJANG, Ajang 58 01/01/97 Ellenbrook — BLEE, Nathan 10 07/09/90 Ballajura/Pt Adelaide 68 ROBERTS, Phil 36 23/03/92 Trinity Aquinas — MURPHY, Stephen 60 13/06/97 Coolbinia — OMODEI, Thomas 11 05/09/93 Southerners 4 PERKINS, Daniel 37 21/11/93 Coolbinia — BURGESS, Dylan 61 14/06/94 Toodyay — HART, Callum 12 03/02/94 Noranda 29 ATKIN, Cameron 38 12/01/94 CBC Fremantle — REES, Thomas 62 03/06/95 Mt Lawley Inglewood — WULFF, Craig 13 13/02/83 Thornlie 269 DELLA FRANCA, Blair 41 17/01/97 Southerners — LOO KRAKOUER, Emmanuel 63 24/04/96 Queens Park — MAGINNESS, Will 14 13/01/95 Oakleigh Chargers/WCE 10 WARRELL, Chris 42 14/03/94 Northern Cobras 2 HODGSON, Cameron 65 24/01/97 Ballajura — OAKLEY-NICHOLLS, Jarrad 16 09/02/88 East Perth/WCE/Richmond 113 CAPORN, Kristian 43 17/04/95 Ballajura — SMITH, Callum 66 14/03/97 Ballajura — CHATLEY, Beau 17 03/02/95 Tigers 3 THOMAS, Wilson 45 08/11/94 Bassendean — ABBOTT, Campbell 67 21/11/96 Mt Lawley — JOHNSON, Paul 19 26/06/84 Hawthorn/ 90 MILLER, Benjamin 46 06/12/97 Dunsborough — LENZO, Daniel 68 30/11/96 Coolbinia — GIBLETT, Clayton 22 31/01/96 Deanmill 8 MacSHANE, Jobe 47 07/12/94 Busselton — VADER, Mark 69 21/07/95 Noranda — GORTER, Thomas 23 10/09/96 Kojonup — SAMELKO, Asher 48 03/05/94 Augusta-Margaret River — RUSSO, Daniel 70 10/12/96 Coolbinia — HODGSON, Thomas 24 12/03/95 Ballajura 1 BUXTON, Matthew 49 22/02/92 High Wycombe — WILSON, Lewis 25 19/10/93 Ballajura 3 RYAN, Oliver 50 07/12/94 Busselton — 6 WAFL 2016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016

LAST YEAR 4TH PEEL THUNDER FC WINS 13 Coach Cam Shepherd Captain Flags 0 LOSSES 9 Major sponsors Mandurah Holden, Bank, City of Mandurah, AgLink, FPA Ground Bendigo Bank Stadium Address Dower Street, Mandurah Inquiries 9357 5400 Pressure on Peel to repeat ᔡ Bridget Lacy (retirement), as well as developing tall Dylan Winton After an historic first finals (East Fremantle). appearance in 2015, coach But the Thunder’s midfield Cam Shepherd is intent on will be bolstered by the Peel Thunder backing it up return of 2013 Sandover this season. medallist Rory O’Brien after The Thunder put aside five seasons with the Sharks close to 20 years without a and fellow midfielder Brad sniff of success to earn Walsh, who is back at his club themselves a double chance of origin after one season on last September. Carlton’s . They ended up being Former Greater Western knocked out in straight sets, Sydney player Gerald Ugle but it was still a watershed has been appointed captain time for the Mandurah club. after booting 38 goals last “At this stage all we want to season. do is consolidate our position “Brendon retiring has at that end of the table,” opened the door for a new Shepherd said. group of leaders and Gerald “Having been cellar Ugle has really stood up in dwellers for so long, it was that area,” Shepherd said. great to be in the finals. “It’s a bit of excitement and “Our first taste was good, real enthusiasm. so we’re looking to improve. “Rory will give some “You always look to mentoring there as well. improve, the competition will “You look at most sides, improve. We’d like to think they’ve got eight or 10 players New captain: Gerald Ugle has stepped up at Peel after the retirement of Brendon Jones. Picture: Ian Munro we’re on the right path.” who have played 100 games or Peel have lost goalsneak 90 games or more. the back of Fremantle’s “It will be no different,” have a similar representation, for the season “We’re a really young fortunes in the third year of Shepherd said. that would stand us in good (Essendon doping violation), squad, so we recognise we’ve the full alignment. “We think we’ve got great stead. last season’s got to get a bit stronger.” Shepherd, now in his fourth talent coming through, but it “We can’t have too many (de-listed by But as has been the case season as coach, said the is pretty young. Last year we injuries to our senior players Fremantle) and former over the past few seasons, the relationship between the averaged 14 Fremantle and we need Fremantle to be captain Brendon Jones Thunder will rise and fall on clubs was as strong as ever. players a game, so if we could up and going.” PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES ADAMS, Jordan 54 06/11/96 Baldivis — JANZEKOVIC, Jake 59 12/07/97 Rockingham — MULHOLLAND, Jamahl 32 11/06/93 Harvey-Brunswick Lesch — BELL, Blair 21 10/09/93 South Mandurah 1 KING, Liam TBA 22/07/96 Secret Harbour — O’BRIEN, Rory 3 28/06/86 Pinjarra 92 BESCI, Connor TBA 23/08/96 Rockingham — KIRBY, James TBA 17/11/96 South Bunbury — O’MALLEY, Jackson TBA 13/07/94 Wesley Curtin — BEZUIDENHOUT, Jared TBA 21/10/90 Warnbro — LARKINS, Luke TBA 08/03/97 Mandurah — PIAVANINI, Jaiden TBA 29/10/95 Collie — BOOTSMA, Josh 10 22/02/93 South Fremantle/Carlton 25 LAWLER, Brayden 7 24/07/94 Carey Park 16 PORTEOUS, Josh 53 24/09/97 Donnybrook — BRAY, Alex 51 13/10/97 Rockingham — LOFFLEY, Denim TBA 08/03/96 Beacon — POWER, Keegan 52 10/08/96 Warnbro — COLLARD, Karl 57 03/10/96 Eaton Boomers — LOFFLEY, Paul TBA 08/03/96 Beacon — SHEPHERD, Luke 31 31/08/97 North Mandurah — CRANSBERG, Daniel 58 12/02/93 Mandurah — McGOWAN, Bradley 48 25/07/95 Warnbro — THORNE, James TBA 08/06/92 Rockingham — CURNOW, Mitchell 36 23/04/97 Rockingham — McLAUGHLIN, Garrick 37 06/04/91 High Wycombe — TIEDE, Brock TBA 27/07/95 Brentwood — DOWDING, Jake 29 14/04/96 Mandurah 1 McMAHEN, Caleb TBA 03/03/96 Mandurah — TYLER, Harrison 30 01/12/94 Collegians 1 EADES, Ashley 45 28/12/96 Bunbury — McMAHON, Josh 33 06/06/97 Rockingham — UGLE, Gerald 1 31/01/93 Perth/GWS 22 ELLISS, Blake TBA 18/06/96 Warnbro — MATHERS, Josh 11 27/04/93 Warnbro 37 UGLE, Scottie 27 28/09/89 Narrogin 3 FAHEY, Nathan 16 03/03/96 Halls Head 5 MATTHEWS, Haydn 49 07/05/97 Rockingham — WALLACE, Mitchell 34 30/06/96 Mandurah 1 GILL, Mitchell 18 02/01/95 Brookton Pingelly 5 MAY, Kaine TBA 27/09/96 Warnbro — WALSH, Brad 4 03/09/96 Rockingham/Carlton 7 GOMBOC, Jack TBA 18/06/96 Rockingham 1 MAY, Kieran 20 14/08/95 Pinjarra 4 WIGHT, Dixon 25 13/01/97 North Mandurah — HANCOCK, Ben 12 23/04/96 Warnbro 23 MERRITT, Nicholas 17 08/10/97 Pinjarra — WILKINSON, Dale 50 15/06/96 South Bunbury — HAYDON, Andrew 23 21/10/93 South Mandurah — MILWARD, Brett 47 30/11/97 Pinjarra — WILSON, Cruze 60 26/08/97 North Mandurah — HUMPHREYS, Lucas 55 16/03/95 Rockingham — MORRIS, Corey 6 30/05/94 Waroona 8 WOOD, Tom 41 31/10/90 South Mandurah — Wednesday, March 16, 2016 WAFL 2016 7

LAST YEAR 5TH CLAREMONT FC WINS 10 Coach Michael Broadbridge Captain Jake Murphy Flags 12 Last one 2012 LOSSES 11 Major sponsors Liquor Barons, TFS, EMCO Building Ground Address Keane Avenue, Claremont Inquiries 9384 9200 Tigers aim to close gap

ᔡ Nick Rynne

Having lost to retirement and ball winner Corey Yeo to a season-ending knee injury, you could forgive Claremont for tempering their expectations in 2016. But on the back of an injection of talented midfielders, Tigers coach Michael Broadbridge believes his squad has what it takes to break free of the mid-table congestion and continue its finals run. Not content with edging into the finals last season, Broadbridge said the aim this year was to bridge the gap on 2015 grand finalists Subiaco and West Perth. “The goal is to improve our win-loss from 10-10 to about 13-7 or 14-6, something like that,” he said. “We’d like to get into the top few in the competition. “We’re obviously chasing Subiaco as a lot of teams are, we think West Perth were Tigerish: Jared Hardisty, right, is back at Claremont after a season with Hawthorn and should boost their midfield. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images better than us last year, as the win-loss ratio showed us, and the most improved players in least that we think can help offensive point of view we warned against writing the then you’ve got a whole heap the competition last season, us and make us better,” he make some improvements club off completely. of other teams who are all will hurt. said. and I think that will stem “A few years ago I’m sure pretty similar on their day However, Broadbridge said The Tigers finished the 2015 from a better midfield Subi probably didn’t think and we’re one of those. the recruitment of Jye Bolton regular season with the brigade,” Broadbridge said. they were going to rise as “We need to try and elevate (Werribee), Jared Hardisty second-best defensive record, “That’s the goal, to try and quickly as they did,” he said. ourselves from that bunch (Hawthorn) and East Perth’s behind only premiers get a little bit more footy “Things can happen and get those extra few wins.” Tom Shanahan — last year’s Subiaco. going forward and hit the quickly. I know that on our The Tigers moved quickly Prendergast medallist as the But they ranked sixth in scoreboard a bit more.” day we can beat any side, so in the off-season to return best and fairest in the attack, a deficiency Most have discounted the that gives me confidence that their midfield to the reserves — should help Broadbridge says must be Tigers from legitimate if we collectively do a better dominant force it once was. mitigate the problem. addressed quickly. premiership contention this job, then who knows? But the loss of Yeo, one of “There’s three or four at “Hopefully, from an season, but Broadbridge has “Anything can happen.” PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES ABBOTT, Brenden 19 01/01/95 Royals/Collingwood 15 HAMP, Anton 26 21/07/92 Hale/WCE 72 PETREVSKI-SETON, Sam 41 19/02/98 Halls Creek/Clontarf 3 ANDREWS, Mitch 24 05/12/86 Broadbeach 76 HANDFORD, Joel 61 03/12/88 Broome Towns — PLANT, Toby 20 04/08/93 Port Melbourne 2 BEECK, Jack 30 26/07/95 Swanbourne 16 HARDISTY, Jared 25 07/03/96 Marist /Hawthorn — POWELL, Rowen 13 17/09/95 Broome Towns/WCE — BERTOLA, Nic 63 27/06/97 Royals — HIGGS, Ben 33 28/08/95 Railways — RICHARDSON, Ian 4 14/10/87 West Coast JFC 151 BOLTON, Jye 11 03/03/92 Werribee — HOLT, Aaron 8 19/02/91 West Coast JFC/Scotch 63 RICHARDSON, Jack 10 15/02/93 Scotch 13 BRADSHAW, Jack 7 03/09/92 West Coast JFC/Hale 76 LANGDON, Zac 43 13/11/95 Dampier Sharks — ROGERS, Bailey 29 22/03/97 Marist 3 BREAKEY, Hugo 3 08/02/93 Swanbourne/Scotch 24 LEDGER, Evan 68 28/12/96 Scotch — ROSS, Dylan 17 26/06/90 Marist 8 BUSHER, Haydn 15 21/08/91 Victoria Park 18 LEDGER, Tom 14 17/03/92 West Coast JFC/Scotch/St Kilda 36 ROWE, Ian 27 19/12/86 Claremont JFC 75 CAMERON, Darcy 18 18/07/95 Nth Albany 22 LIM, Ryan 21 20/03/96 West Coast JFC/Hale 19 SELLERS, Matt 50 19/08/91 Wyoming — CORUNNA, Adam 59 25/04/92 Sth Mandurah — LONGTHORN, Lewis 69 17/02/91 Whitfords — SHANAHAN, Tom 22 28/04/95 Marist /East Perth — COURT, Harrison 34 03/03/96 Wembley Downs 1 LYNN, Zac 62 24/08/97 Collegians — SIMPSON, Eddie 40 10/02/97 Swanbourne — DAVIES, Matthew 9 12/10/91 Scarborough 64 MADDOCK, Luke 39 22/01/96 Werribee — SINCLAIR, Harry 54 09/08/97 Scotch — DAVIES, Morgan 31 08/12/96 Nth Albany — MAISTER, Beau 42 20/03/86 Railways/WCE/St Kilda 111 SPEED, Adam 48 06/12/92 Wanneroo — DELAPORTE, Jacob 55 23/10/95 Marist/Wembley — MANUEL, Alex 47 19/08/95 Collegians — SPEED, Justin 35 28/09/94 Wanneroo — DEVITT-BOYD, Isaac 60 29/03/96 Denmark — MARTINIS, Lachie 52 06/07/96 Wembley — TATE, Oliver 16 23/06/91 Nth Ballarat 20 DONEY, Jarrad 51 28/02/96 Hale — McADAM, Shane 23 28/05/95 Halls Creek/Hale 11 TAYLOR, Matthew 58 05/06/94 Olinda-Ferncreek — EHLERS, David 57 06/12/96 Marist/Aquinas — McCRACKEN, Harry 37 07/07/95 Marist/Hale — WATSON, Francis 32 29/09/95 Balgo Hills/Clontarf 9 EHLERS, Matthew 65 06/12/96 Marist/Aquinas — MURPHY, Jake 5 18/01/90 Scotch 108 WHITEHEAD, Mason 49 16/04/95 Scarborough — EVANS, Lawrence 45 12/04/96 Kununurra/Hale — MUSITANO, Ben 66 14/11/96 West Coast JFC — WILKINS, Aden 53 10/05/97 West Coast JFC/Hale — FITZGERALD, Ashley 67 14/11/94 Quairading — NEATES, Ryan 1 26/06/91 Carine/WCE 82 WILLIAMS, John 36 08/10/88 Essendon/Swan Districts 43 FRANZ, Brandon 12 30/08/85 Marist 117 PALFREY, Matt 28 01/12/95 Railways 7 YEO, Corey 6 05/09/91 Attadale/East Fremantle 36 GUELFI, Matt 46 14/08/97 Wembley Downs — PALMER, Cameron 38 15/02/94 Wanneroo — YU, Keifer 2 06/04/91 Broome/Hale/Marist 50 8 WAFL 2016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016

LAST YEAR 6TH SWAN DISTRICTS FC WINS 10 Coach Captain Tallan Ames Flags 8 Last one 2010 LOSSES 10 Major sponsors BHP Billiton, Blue Steel, Chevron, Midway Ford, PMG, Swan Towing Ground Steel Blue Oval Address Old Perth Road, Bassendean Inquiries 9279 8700 Swans go in search of goals

ᔡ Dale Miller “Eighty one points a game is not going to win you For Swan Districts to climb enough games to compete in back into the finals, coach finals and it’s certainly not Greg Harding knows they going to give you breathing must discover one key space at any stage because ingredient — strike power. you’re not putting any Swans went desperately scoreboard pressure on a close to a fourth successive side. September appearance last “We’ve spent a lot of time season. working on that area and it’s However, their fate was going to be a significant part sealed in the final round of of our game. Clearly some the home-and-away campaign key players need to step up in when a last-gasp win by the key roles and by key roles Claremont over West Perth I mean centre half-forward tipped them out of the top and full-forward.” five. The challenge will be Rather than stew over tougher without Tim summer, Harding pinpointed Geappen and Ryan Davis, who his team’s greatest weakness. combined for 45 goals last Swans averaged only 81 year, but Harding remains points a game in 2015 and confident. Harding said an inability to Swans have added de-listed Dangerous prospect: Swans forward Matthew Jukes is a big part of Greg Harding’s plans. Picture: Ben Crabtree apply enough scoreboard Eagles forward Murray pressure had kept opposition Newman to their armoury. “I believe our small training last month and will Like Ross Lyon at sides in matches. Seven of They are confident of forwards are going to be quite miss the season in a Fremantle, Harding their 10 losses were by less getting more out of a fully fit difficult to control,” he said. significant blow. ultimately wants to find an than 20 points. and helping The club has welcomed But securing experienced extra two goals a game to “We’ve been in and around spearhead Ricky Cary back Graham Jetta as a East Perth midfielder Freddie transform his youthful team the bottom end of that top reproduce the form that replacement for rebounding Clutterbuck on the eve of the into a finals force. five for a while now, but we translated to 49 goals in 2014. defender Nathan Broad and season has been the “If you get it right, you can just need to really take the And Harding is predicting expect to get added run from unexpected bonus, finish high up the ladder and next step now and make sure big things from goal kickers a returning Aidan Anderson. particularly after losing secure a double chance and that we’re a force come Matthew Jukes and Matt Recruit Shannon Taylor big-name recruit Ryan that’s what we’re aiming for,” September,” Harding said. Rogers. ruptured a patella tendon at Crowley to Essendon. he said. PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES AMES, Tallan 11 18/10/83 Trinity 210 FLETCHER, Sean 52 03/08/95 Midvale 1 RIDLEY, Levi 27 17/02/97 Bassendean 4 ANDERSON, Aidan 31 08/10/96 Upper Swan 16 GRESCOS, Laurence 41 08/04/95 Upper Swan 11 RIGGIO, Matt 18 14/03/88 Waroona 100 ANSEY, Nelson 46 15/04/96 Port Hedland 3 HARVEY, Dylan 33 16/02/90 Guildford Grammar 4 ROGERS, Matt 8 10/09/90 Perth/Cunderdin 65 BANFIELD, Todd 9 28/06/90 Swan View 7 HOLMAN, Ben 50 04/05/94 Guildford Grammar — SHAND, Justin 21 06/01/96 Upper Swan — BLAKELY, Nathan 23 03/12/92 Bunbury 28 HOUGHTON, Joel 10 26/11/91 Perth 15 SIMPSON, Justin 24 23/01/88 Forrestfi eld 136 BLIGHT, Jarred 2 24/01/91 Midvale 42 HOWARD, Alex 25 20/06/93 Swan View 53 SHAW, John 48 08/07/97 Wycombe — BURNHAM, Jacob 5 11/02/93 Bassendean 7 HUGHES, Logan 72 09/04/92 Harvey — SLATER, Jackson 22 12/02/93 East Perth 7 CARY, Ricky 69 12/10/91 Attadale 23 JUKES, Matthew 32 26/09/91 Attadale 14 SMIRK, Tom 20 16/02/89 Collegians 11 CLUTTERBUCK, Freddie — 22/09/90 Noranda/East Perth — KALIMERIS, Tony 55 03/07/95 East Perth — SMITH, Dylan 75 07/02/97 Bassendean — CONIGLIO, Jacob 15 25/07/95 La Salle 9 KIRKUP, Josh 47 21/05/93 High Wycombe 34 TURNER, Jesse 62 10/08/96 Bassendean 4 CRANENBURGH, Callan 57 01/06/96 Darlington Parkerville — MANTON, Rod 44 23/10/89 Bassendean 12 UGLE, Kirk 6 06/05/92 Carey Park 41 DANIELS, Chad 52 13/08/97 Bassendean — MANARCO, Daniel 49 06/05/94 Mt Lawley — WATSON, Jack 53 23/07/97 Gidgegannup — DANIELS, Jason 19 12/01/96 Bassendean 1 MAGUIRE, Ethan 54 04/06/96 Bunbury — WHITSED, Benjamin 70 07/08/85 Mazenod 5 DEAN, Alby 43 19/04/96 Upper Swan — MOSTERT, Robbie 53 16/06/97 La Salle — WILSON, Warwick 59 29/01/96 Clontarf 8 DONOVAN, Simon 40 22/08/87 Perth 7 MURRAY, Lindsay 60 20/02/96 High Wycombe — WITYK, Steven 39 02/02/92 East Perth 2 ELARI, Aaron 3 24/04/91 Perth 90 NOTTE, Tony 28 15/04/90 Upper Swan 138 YUKICH, Troy 30 10/12/94 Upper Swan — ERCEG, Brandon 58 13/02/93 Bassendean — NUICH, Jake 14 07/05/93 La Salle 13 FAULKNER, Adam 7 03/05/92 Swan View 52 RIDDOCH, Rudy 12 05/03/93 Bassendean 5 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 WAFL 2016 9

LAST YEAR 7TH SOUTH FREMANTLE FC WINS 8 Coach Todd Curley Captain Ryan Cook Flags 13 Last one 2009 LOSSES 12 Major sponsors John Hughes, Metwest Steel, WA HINO, Primero Ground Address Parry Street, Fremantle Inquiries 9335 1555 Curley tips Dogs revival

ᔡ Russell Reid “They are still really young men who are only 20, 21 years South Fremantle can be big old. The fact they have had a improvers in 2016, according couple of years in a full-time to second-year coach Todd system will help us and being Curley. South Fremantle kids will The Bulldogs started boldly certainly help us.” under Curley last year, Shoulder and leg injuries winning their first three restricted Saunders, the games to sit on top of the league’s leading goal kicker ladder. But a mid-season in 2012 and 2014, to 14 goals in slump and losses in their last eight games last year. five matches left them in Curley said Saunders and seventh place. Schloithe, who played 13 Curley said a run of games, were keen to make up injuries to key players, for injury-affected campaigns including powerful in 2015. full-forward Ben Saunders, “Saundo, whether he is prolific midfielder Haiden kicking goals or taking the Schloithe and defender opposition’s best defender, he Blayne Wilson, had hindered helps others,” he said. the Bulldogs. “He’s certainly had a great “We started OK last year, pre-season and we look but had a few key injuries,” forward to him fit and firing. Curley said. “Schloithey only played two “Saundos virtually didn’t games before he got injured. play at all last year and “He really didn’t come back Schloithey missed a large until after the break and chunk of the season. hadn’t been able to run a lot “But that gave us the so he was really underdone.” opportunity to blood a few Curley said Frankston young players for the second recruit Shane Hockey, a half of the year. natural “in-and-under” “We think that will improve midfielder, would make a us going forward.” difference at the club. Curley said the return of “We don’t have a whole Mason Shaw (Port Adelaide), heap of those,” Curley said. Blaine Johnson (Carlton), “We’ve probably got guys Change of luck: South Fremantle will be hoping for a full season from Blayne Wilson. Picture: Ben Crabtree Dylan Main (West Coast) and that have ended up playing in Tom Vandeleur (Fremantle) there because they are been fantastic since he has Curley said Ashton Hams, a watching everyone else play would bolster the Bulldogs in experienced and really good been here. member of South Fremantle in September,” Curley said. 2016. players. “Just the knowledge and premiership teams in 2005 “He’s been a leader around “We have been able to get “We don’t really have any of being able to help. and 2009, was keen for the the place in grabbing young some young South Fremantle those real natural guys that “We have got some pretty club to return to finals action guys and trying to make them kids back in that things didn’t have played in there their good young mids and we this season. “Ashton has better. I think he realises work out for at AFL level,” he whole life. think he will help them get come back with a pretty that’s where the improvement said. “He’s certainly that and has better.” strong mindset, he’s sick of will come from.” PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES AH SIU, Matthew 50 20/07/96 Bullcreek Leeming JFC 4 HOCKEY, Shane 9 21/07/98 Frankston — PEARSON, Luke 62 02/02/96 Bullcreek Leeming JFC — AMOROSO, Tony 61 07/09/95 Winnacott Kats — JOHNSON, Blaine 20 28/07/95 Kwinana 2 PICKETT, Tyson 55 20/12/97 York — ANDREWS, Brayden 51 11/11/95 Perth/Quairading — KELLY, Tim 8 26/07/94 Palmyra 50 PICKETT, Marlon 25 06/01/92 Manjimup 32 BATTERSBY, Isaac 56 16/06/97 Wagin — LAURINO, James 12 10/03/93 Katanning 7 PULLMAN, Josh 23 10/06/89 Redlands 32 BENNELL, Traye 38 08/01/95 Eaton Boomers 9 LEE, Blake 63 17/02/95 Peel — RHODES, Brandon 42 22/11/96 Bullcreek Leeming JFC — BEWICK, Shaun 6 10/10/89 West Perth 51 LUFF, Chris 40 07/01/91 Peel/Halls Head 8 SAUNDERS, Ben 24 25/12/91 Claremont 55 BRANCHI, Josh 10 15/04/94 Peel/Eaton Boomers 8 MAIN, Dylan 21 02/09/95 South Coogee — SCHLOITHE, Haiden 1 16/06/93 Katanning 68 COLLARD, Josh 35 21/07/97 Jandakot Jets — MARMO, Tristan 48 12/01/88 North Fremantle — SHAW, Mason 22 15/01/94 Winnacott Kats — COLLIER, Billy 44 04/05/96 South Coogee — MARTINEZ, Jacob 19 10/09/92 South Coogee 55 SPITHOVEN, Lucas 64 03/06/96 CBC Fremantle — COOK, Ryan 32 16/02/88 Collingwood 92 MASKOS, Jason 29 03/03/93 South Coogee 23 STEWART, Tim 16 19/04/95 Katanning 1 DONALDSON, Brandon 59 26/08/97 Kwinana — MATERA, Bailey 33 22/08/96 Bullcreek Leeming JFC 1 STROM, Noah 54 02/05/96 Exmouth — DRAGOVICH, Jacob 45 12/03/96 Winnacott Kats 13 MATERA, Jordan 27 11/04/97 Sandringham Dragons — STROM, Zac 14 12/02/94 Exmouth 33 EDWARDS, Steven 17 06/07/95 Claremont — McINTOSH, Adam 7 12/01/90 Bibra Lake 67 TARTAGLIA, Jakeb 58 25/05/95 Winnacott Kats — FARMER, Peter 39 18/10/96 Subiaco — McPHAIL, Brad 28 22/02/96 Armadale — VANDELEUR, Tom 26 20/03/95 Gascoyne 1 FLORENCA, Jake 31 15/05/97 South Coogee — MIRCO, Jesse 46 28/01/97 South Coogee — VERRIER, Brendan 15 09/08/94 Kwinana 39 GRUBELEICH, Matthew 57 12/03/97 South Coogee — MOW, Kendall 47 13/11/90 Cairns City Lions — VERRIER, Steve 11 24/06/93 Kwinana 33 GUGLIELMANA, Adam 2 02/08/88 Carnarvon 108 MUSIKA, Jesse 65 29/04/97 East Fremantle Power JFC — WARRELL, Domenic 66 17/07/92 Waroona — GUNDRY, Matt 4 16/06/95 Winnacott Kats 8 NODARI, Anthony 52 11/08/96 Jandakot Jets — WILSON, Blayne 30 26/01/92 Peel/Halls Head 15 HAMS, Ashton 37 06/09/86 Katanning 153 OAKLEY, Jalen 53 06/05/96 Kwinana — HIGGINS, Brock 18 11/11/89 East Perth 38 PARRY, Jarrod 5 25/05/91 Bibra Lake 34 10 WAFL 2016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016

LAST YEAR 8TH EAST FREMANTLE FC WINS 6 Coach Rob Wiley Captain Jamie McNamara Flags 29 Last one 1998 LOSSES 14 Major sponsors ATOM, Titan Ford, Bendigo Bank Ground ATOM Stadium Address Moss Street, East Fremantle Inquiries 9339 5533 Wiley plans to restore pride ᔡ Russell Reid a side that has historically Watson and Peake will been very successful, but was bolster the forward line, It’s been almost 30 years since down near the bottom in 2015, while Crichton and Simpson Rob Wiley coached in the and to be able to put a lot of are set to strengthen a WAFL, but he can’t wait for experiences that I’ve midfield weakened by the loss his next challenge with East encountered over the journey of 2013 Sandover medallist Fremantle. into moulding a team,” Wiley Rory O’Brien, who has Wiley was captain-coach of said. returned to Peel. Perth in 1988 and mentor the “That’s certainly going to “East Fremantle don’t have following year. He was the be a challenge, but I don’t see a lot of big men, so Matthew last WA State of Origin coach it’s going to be a greater Watson has been a real asset in 1998 and also a long-time challenge than any other I’ve in that area,” Wiley said. assistant under Mick had before.” “His willingness to bring Malthouse at West Coast Wiley has been impressed leadership and what he has before reuniting with his with the level of commitment learnt from five years in the Richmond premiership from the players. AFL has been fantastic. teammate at Carlton in 2012. “They have a great thirst “He’s encouraged and The 60-year-old decided to for learning and they want to helped all the younger return to WA in the wake of improve,” he said. players and will add a lot of Malthouse’s sacking by the “Once you have that sort of value to East Fremantle in Blues last May. ingredient they will commit many ways. Wiley said he was looking and they will be there ready “He can play at both ends, forward to the next chapter in to do their best. but we will certainly look to a decorated career which also “There’s no doubt that I play him up forward because included a VFL-AFL career have found at East Fremantle he’s a good target.” spanning 95 games and a flag the player group were Though disappointed to with Richmond, and 18 dissatisfied with the way 2015 lose O’Brien, Wiley said he matches with West Coast. went, finishing second last. had confidence in the Sharks’ He hopes to restore a “They want to do midfield brigade. winning culture at the everything in their powers to “Rory is obviously a good Sharks, who finished second improve on and off the field.” player and you don’t want to last in 2015 after a troubled The Sharks recruited be losing any good players,” season in which coach Steve Carlton key-position player he said. Malaxos quit. Matthew Watson and former “That was disappointing, “Being a long-time Docker Jessie Crichton, and but in the end you can’t look assistant coach, I’m just enticed and Josh back ... you have to look excited to be able to look after Simpson back to the club. forward.” On a high: Josh Simpson is a Shark once again. Picture: Lincoln Baker PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES EARDLEY, Cameron 1 24/06/93 East Fremantle JFC/Geelong 41 HOOKER, Thomas 25 16/04/92 Melville 26 CRONAN, Michael 50 19/02/97 East Fremantle JFC — McNAMARA, Jamie 2 06/03/88 Booragoon 111 LOCANTRO, Julian 26 15/07/93 East Perth 6 MENEGOLA, Nick 51 02/01/97 Booragoon — ANTHONY, Liam 3 09/09/87 Railways 58 BRISTOW, James 27 29/01/89 Golden Square/Peel Thunder 31 PARISH, Ollie 52 24/03/97 East Fremantle JFC — CRICHTON, Jesse 4 18/06/91 Werribee — FRANKLIN, Miles 28 06/04/95 Palmyra 9 PIGGOTT, Matthew 53 30/08/95 Peel Thunder — HENSON, Sean 5 03/03/92 Rossmoyne 78 CHALWELL, Tyler 29 10/03/92 Willetton 8 MARSHALL, Tom 54 19/12/97 East Fremantle JFC — DOROTICH, Jordan 6 31/10/93 Melville 32 STOKES, Andrew 30 14/12/93 Railways 4 PERHAM, Henry 55 02/01/96 Brigades — PEAKE, Brett 7 7/5/83 Willetton 100 PERRY, Fraser 31 15/07/96 Railways 3 BRIDGLAND, Jack 56 11/10/94 Sacred Heart Old Collegians — JUPP, Matthew 8 28/09/93 South Perth 46 CRISAFIO, Cameron 32 24/07/90 Canning Vale — DELANEY, Peter 57 04/10/97 Bullcreek Leeming JFC — PERHAM, Jack 9 12/06/90 Brigades 72 RICCIARDELLO, Adrian 33 13/10/90 South Coogee 9 WILLIAMSON, Jordan 58 07/02/96 Railways — CHARTRES, Danny 10 17/01/86 East Perth 36 ELLIS, Brandon 34 30/12/93 Rossmoyne 18 FOWLER, Zachary 59 21/01/97 Melville — HAMPSON, George 11 08/02/90 Subiaco 7 BANNISTER, Matthew 35 02/09/91 Scarborough 6 KRAKOUER, Lewis 60 20/03/91 Cobras JFC — STEPHEN, Andrew 12 09/08/88 Melville 130 CARTER, Jeff 37 04/11/94 Peel Thunder — NEWTON, Alex 61 13/05/97 Bullcreek Leeming JFC — SCHOFIELD, Jayden 13 14/05/92 Railways/W Bulldogs 68 ANTHONY, Dion 38 26/04/94 Railways 4 WILKEY, Riese 62 06/05/95 Pinjarra — BOYLE, Mitchell 14 22/04/92 Railways 72 BARONE, Barry 39 26/01/96 Bullcreek Leeming JFC 4 COULTHARD, Dylan 63 14/04/94 Brigades — O’BRIEN, Brock 15 30/05/88 Peel Thunder/Pinjarra 82 HARROLD, James 40 06/02/97 Bullcreek Leeming JFC — ARMSTRONG, Cameron 65 08/03/93 Mandurah — SIMPSON, Josh 16 09/02/94 Mullewa 9 GREEN, Carl 41 06/06/96 Towns 1 ANTHONY, Aiden — 18/06/92 Railways — BRISTOW, Tim 17 03/05/87 Launceston 10 CUNEO, Joshua 42 03/01/95 Winnacott Kats 9 DRENNAN, Jack — 27/05/96 Bullcreek Leeming JFC — LESTER-SMITH, Ryan 18 19/06/92 Willetton 56 KING, Denholm 43 26/08/94 Eaton — HALL, Josh — 03/02/95 Huntingdale — GREEN, Jacob 19 09/10/94 Booragoon 7 SOLOMON, Jake 44 09/03/95 Bullcreek Leeming JFC — JUPP, Jordan — 12/04/94 Brigades — CRONAN, Louis 20 02/01/91 East Fremantle JFC 7 ADAMINI, Jesse 45 21/07/96 Railways — KELLY, Jordan — 08/01/97 Northampton — WATSON, Matthew 21 16/07/92 Carlton — HEBITON, Josef 46 26/11/96 Applecross 2 MEADE, Jamie — 03/12/97 Booragoon — WINTON, Dylan 22 27/07/96 Peel Thunder — HOLMES, Aaron 47 22/11/93 Applecross 2 SIMPSON, Beau — 14/12/96 Mingenew — READ, Samuel 23 23/10/91 Willetton 48 FLETCHER, Jack 48 08/02/95 Bullcreek Leeming JFC 6 TOMELTY, Grady — 06/03/96 Northampton — SCHLEICHER, Jake 24 08/01/94 Willetton 10 BENNETT, Tom 49 30/04/97 Willetton — Wednesday, March 16, 2016 WAFL 2016 11

LAST YEAR 9TH PERTH FC WINS 2 Coach Earl Spalding Captain Dene White Flags 7 Last one 1977 LOSSES 18 Major sponsors Provident Capital Partners, TLC, Southside Mitsubishi, Southside Volkswagen Ground Address Goddard Street, Lathlain Inquiries 9362 4499 Demons on right track

ᔡ Dale Miller

Earl Spalding can’t help but feel apprehensive about what 2016 holds in store for Perth. The Carlton premiership forward is well aware Demons fans are craving their first finals appearance in almost two decades. But having committed for the long haul, Perth’s coach is not sure he can break the drought just yet. Spalding experienced a tough initiation in his first season at the helm. Despite being more competitive, the Demons still only managed two wins in 2015, resulting in another wooden spoon. They start this season without retired duo Chris Billings and Daniel O’Sullivan, while brothers Mitch and have moved on. But there is still cause for genuine optimism. “We think we’ve recruited pretty well in terms of filling spots where we had our major Breakout year: Perth midfielder Liam McKenna rose to prominence in 2015 and forms part of a lethal on-ball division. Picture: Mogens Johansen weaknesses last year and we’ve got some really good Importantly, they have the return of Julian Jacobs “We certainly struggled for Spalding is hoping his kids coming through,” added former St Kilda and Aaron Zucconi, and the goal kickers last year and we young team can produce Spalding said. on-baller Clint Jones to that targeted recruitment of hope that while we mightn’t some surprises. “We’re not delusional that mix, making the engine room former Greater Western have one guy kicking 70 goals, “We think we’ve got we’re going to turn it around one to be respected. Sydney academy member if we can have three or four probably a bit more in one year, but we think The recruiting didn’t stop Taran Etto and Peel’s Laine kicking 30 each, that’ll be a improvement in us than other we’re on the right track.” there. The team’s two biggest Wilkins. better contribution,” clubs,” he said. “How much? Perth boast a quality holes — the ruck and attack Utility player Kristian Cary Spalding said. I’m not too sure, but I know midfield courtesy of reigning — have been filled by has also headed west after Perth face an early baptism the group we’ve got is a really Sandover medallist Aidan one-time Richmond and being recommended by of fire. They are away to close group this year. Tropiano, last season’s Adelaide big man Angus former coach and Brownlow grand finalists West Perth “Most teams are going to surprise packet Liam Graham and de-listed Saints medallist Jason Akermanis and Subiaco, and host know they’ve been in a game McKenna and captain Dene forward Spencer White. Their and looms as an extra scoring Claremont, in their first three with us this year. Who knows White. depth has also improved with option. matches. where it can lead to.” PLAYER LIST NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES NAME NO D.O.B RECRUITED GAMES BELL, Jared 31 27/05/96 South Perth 19 GREY, Ryan 51 29/10/91 Maylands 4 NICHOLAS, Kasey 1 01/05/96 South Perth/Wesley Curtin — BIGGS, Dylan 63 12/04/95 South Perth — HENDERSON, Mitchell 34 20/02/96 York — O’BRIEN, David 42 19/12/96 Gosnells — BOYES, Ashley 26 25/09/92 East Perth 5 HILL, Zachary 50 07/04/97 Federals — PAYNE, Jacob 46 16/03/93 East Perth 20 BROOKES, Rowan 20 08/05/92 East Perth 15 HUG, Kieran 24 09/05/94 Toodyay 25 PIGGOTT, Braden 54 15/07/95 South Bunbury — BROWNE, Mitchell 32 15/01/96 Wongan-Ballidu 7 IRONS, Jarrod 2 20/09/92 Port Adelaide/South Perth 12 POLAK, Reid 12 21/01/97 Belmont 7 BYRNE, Corey 37 19/05/97 Thornlie — JACOBS, Julian 8 02/01/89 Subiaco/Esperance 48 SINCLAIR, Michael 7 14/03/94 South Perth 47 CABLE, Ben 53 07/01/97 Melville — JAMES, Frank 64 12/02/97 Marist — STACK, Brennan 11 26/05/88 Western Bulldogs/Belmont 52 CARY, Kristian 16 22/03/95 North Albury — JOHNSTON, David 22 17/06/90 Swan Districts 24 STEVENSON, Todd 23 21/02/92 CBC/Horsham 10 CHESTER, Kurtis 17 08/03/95 Goomalling 10 JONES, Clint 5 02/02/84 St Kilda/South Fremantle — TAYLOR, Matthew 19 27/03/97 Chittering — CRANE, Shaun 49 21/01/91 South Bunbury — JONES, Chapman 39 28/09/96 Belmont — THOMPSON, Matthew 48 23/11/94 Boyup Brook — DENNIS, Lachlan 40 03/09/93 Wesley Curtin 4 JONES, Marshall 47 26/08/97 York 5 TROPIANO, Aidan 4 21/10/92 Brigades 26 DONCON, Scott 31 25/09/95 Kellerberrin-Tammin 11 LATCH, Brent 10 09/04/92 Swan Districts 17 WALLEY, Cal 13 06/04/90 Scarborough 10 EDMONDS, Brent 33 27/07/94 Federals 16 LAWRENCE, Kelvin 8 14/10/92 Peel Thunder — WALLEY, Mitchell 35 05/10/96 West Perth — ETTO, Taran 18 06/07/95 GWS — LEGGETT, Cody 36 10/06/96 Attadale 15 WILKINS, Laine 15 20/03/94 Peel, Halls Head 29 EYRES, Christian 21 10/10/90 Trinity Aquinas 48 MARLIN, Lennon 44 21/12/95 Victoria Park — WHITE, Dene 14 16/12/88 Quairading 117 FISHER, Zac 38 15/09/98 York — McGILLIVRAY, Sam 45 25/03/96 Moora 4 WHITE, Spencer 9 22/09/94 St Kilda — FLEAY, Kodie 27 11/03/94 Beverley 3 McKENNA, Liam 1 18/04/92 Peel Thunder 19 WOLFENDEN, Brett 6 20/07/89 Federals/Swan Districts 20 GARSTONE, Samuel 43 01/06/95 Upper Swan 9 MILLAR, Fraser 41 01/10/93 South Bunbury — ZUCCONI, Aaron 29 14/05/86 South Perth 98 GIANATTI, Toby 25 17/07/90 Peel Thunder 16 MILLS, Stephen 28 10/04/95 South Fremantle/Southport — GRAHAM, Angus 3 16/04/87 Richmond/Adelaide — MORISEY, Justin 1 10/07/96 Rostrata — 12 WAFL 2016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 THE COACHES AFL EXPERIENCE (North Beach) Age: 48 (Trinity Aquinas) AFL games: 86 (73 West Coast, 13 Fremantle) Age: 33 Original WAFL club: South Fremantle Andrew Browne AFL games: 227 (209 West Coast, 18 Collingwood) Draft: No.24, 1988 VFL national draft Original WAFL club: West Perth Honours: 1994 West Coast premiership player, 1997 Draft: No.19, 2002 AFL rookie draft South Fremantle premiership player, 1988-90 Port Honours: 2006 West Coast premiership player, 2006- Adelaide premiership player, 1997 Simpson medallist, 07 West Coast leading goal kicker, 2003 West Perth 1992 medallist premiership player Andrew McDougall (West Coast Cowan) WAFL EXPERIENCE Age: 32 (Scarborough) AFL games: 43 (38 West Coast, 5 Western Bulldogs) Age: 33 Original WAFL club: Perth WAFL games: 231 (Subiaco) Draft: No.5, 2000 AFL national draft Honours: 2006-08 Subiaco premiership Honours: 2014 Subiaco premiership player, 2003 AFL player, 2009-13 Subiaco captain, 2012 Subiaco Rising Star nominee best and fairest, six-times WA State representative Antoni Grover (Kelmscott) Kris Miller (Wesley Curtin) Age: 36 Age: 35 AFL games: 202 (Fremantle) WAFL games: 303 (153 East Fremantle, Original WAFL club: Subiaco 150 South Fremantle) Draft: No.32, 1999 AFL rookie draft Honours: 2009 South Fremantle premiership Honours: Fremantle’s fi rst 200-game indigenous player player, 2007, 2009, 2012 South Fremantle best and fairest, 2005 East Fremantle best (Kalamunda) and fairest, sixth WAFL 300-game player Age: 32 AFL games: 79 (43 Melbourne, 36 West Coast) Tim Hall (Hamersley Carine) Original WAFL club: Perth Age: 33 Draft: No.25, 2001 AFL national draft WAFL games: 8 (East Fremantle) Honours: 2006 West Coast premiership player, 2002 AFL Rising Star nominee, 2001 Larke medallist under-18 Ben Taggart (Fremantle CBC) national titles Age: 29 WAFL games: 1 (East Fremantle) Andrew Browne (University) Age: 31 AFL games: 29 (Fremantle) Original WAFL club: Claremont Draft: No.52, 2001 AFL national draft Honours: 2011 Claremont premiership player, 2004 Andrew McDougall Beacon Award (best young player at Fremantle) They’re no amateurs ᔡ Dale Miller legacy of 10 flags in 12 years Wesley Curtin respectively. “There’s pretty close “It’s attractive for guys that under predecessor Bill East Fremantle duo Tim connections there,” Browne have come out of the system Every WA amateur A-grade Duckworth. Hall and Ben Taggart will said. that want to still play at a club will boast a former AFL Former West Coast and coach the final two sides in “It’s quite funny how it’s all competitive level,” McDougall or WAFL player as senior Western Bulldogs key the 10-team competition. worked out. said. coach this season in a major forward Andrew McDougall, No coach will carry greater “A handful of the coaches “It gives you a good taste of coup for the State’s Eagles premiership forward expectation than Browne, will probably put their hand what coaching a men’s team second-tier competition. Steven Armstrong, ex- who has taken the reins at up to play the odd game as is like and it’s a particularly West Coast premiership Fremantle defender Antoni back-to-back premiers well, so it’ll be quite fun with strong competition.” player Quinten Lynch will Grover and former Dockers University Football Club for a bit of banter out on the McDougall said bragging lead Trinity Aquinas for a teammate Andrew Browne the first time. field.” rights would naturally be up second successive season complete an emerging The 2011 Claremont McDougall, who remains for grabs. “Footy’s a pretty with redemption on his mind, coaching group in the premiership player was heavily involved in the AFL competitive world at with last year’s minor WAAFL’s top grade boasting offered the role after initially through his work with player whatever level you play,” he premiers still recovering from a combined 666 games of AFL looking to return to the management agency said. their straight-sets exit from experience. amateurs purely as a player. Corporate Sports Australia, is “I’ve got a couple of friends the 2015 finals. Their nous will be tested by The challenge has brought another entering his first from Subiaco running around And fellow Eagles two of the best WAFL players the former Docker full circle season as senior coach, at in other teams as well. premiership tall David Hynes of the past 25 years, with in his football career, pitting West Coast Cowan amateurs. “Every week you come up will attempt to reclaim North former Subiaco captain Aidan him against three fellow He said he wants to give back against one of your good Beach’s status as the Parker and 303-game league members of the 2001 State to the game after being in the mates and someone you’d competition’s dominant team, champion Kris Miller at the under-18s team in Lynch, AFL and WAFL systems for a probably like to get the wood with the club boasting a helm of Scarborough and Armstrong and Parker. decade. over.”

WAAFL SPONSORS 3141236-4JLCTT03022016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 WAFL 2016 13 Doing what she loves

ᔡ Bridget Lacy

It only dawned on Sabrina Frederick-Traub in the moments after the first televised women’s AFL game at Etihad Stadium just how big it would be. The West Australian teenager was one of the brightest stars last August in a landmark day for women’s sport in Australia, booting three goals for the Melbourne Demons as they ran out four-point winners over the Western Bulldogs. Broadcaster Channel 7 later revealed the match had drawn an average of 301,000 viewers nationally and out-rated a men’s match from the day before. “People have been recognising me everywhere since then, it is a bit weird,” Frederick-Traub said. “I had no idea it would be so big. I didn’t even really think about the fact it was going to be televised. “Afterwards it was like: ‘Wow, you’re part of the first televised game’. The first interview after the game was when it all hit me. “I have definitely enjoyed it. It’s nice to be recognised for doing something you love.” Frederick-Traub was recently announced an AFL multicultural ambassador alongside West Coast star ruckman and Fremantle utility player Tendai Mzungu. “I flew over and back to Melbourne with them and they’re really nice guys,” she said. “I’ve looked up to both of them so actually meeting them was an experience.” The 19-year-old psychology student will help with the AFL’s female multicultural talent strategy through development programs and Attention grabber: WA’s Sabrina Frederick-Traub booted three goals for Melbourne in the first televised women’s match. Picture: Michael O’Brien clinics as well as appearing at events throughout the year. so far. “My dad is six foot Frederick-Traub helped national women’s league by them so I’m going to hope Frederick-Traub spent her two,” she said. run a female talent 2017 is realistic. Her ultimate they keep me,” she said. first seven years in Brighton, “That helps in being a identification session in Perth goal would be to play for her “But if not I’ll just go back England, and used football as ruckman and centre recently, with the AFL hoping beloved West Coast in that into the draft and I’m happy a way to fit in with her new half-forward in footy. to convince the State’s best competition. to play for anyone.” classmates in Australia. “Coming from different young female athletes to The Demons will only be Frederick-Traub will play She says her English cultures, it brings something choose football. allowed to retain five of their in the WA draft selection father’s Jamaican and different to the game. Frederick-Traub, who will list from last season and the match as a curtain raiser to Antiguan heritage has been a “That’s where it becomes give up soccer this year to rest will go back to the draft. the AFL on big help in her football career unique.” focus on football, believes a “I did kick three goals for April 9. 14 WAFL 2016 Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Winners are grinners: The South West Football League, traditionally a power in WA country football, celebrate their Division 1 triumph last year. Picture: Jon Gellweiler Revamp for bush title

ᔡ Riley Stuart regional areas from June 17 with country football have The South West, Peel, Avon, full-length match in June and to 19. The carnival will then nine-to-five jobs,” he said. Great Northern, Upper Great two shortened matches in The Landmark Country head to Perth for shortened “Leagues have struggled to Southern and Lower South Perth on July 9. Football Championships will matches on Saturday, July 9, get their best possible teams West leagues will compete in The top two teams in be revamped in 2016, with a with grand finals played on to Perth due to work Division 1. Division 1 will qualify for the new format expected to make Sunday, July 10. commitments. Division 3 has been grand final. having a kick easier for WACFL general manager “Not only is the new format scrapped and replaced with In Division 2, the top team players in the bush. Joe Georgiades said the new, going to make it more an expanded Division 2 in the north pool will take on The popular annual weekend-focused format available for players, but it’s competition with north and the best-placed south pool carnival is a showpiece event would make the carnival going to take representative south pools. side in the decider. for the WA Country Football more accessible for players footy to the regions. Great Southern, Eastern Each season, more than League and has been held as and spectators. “The key thing is the Districts, Ongerup and Hills 3000 matches are played in a round-robin style carnival “When country week country community. A lot of will play in the south pool. the State’s 25 country leagues. over four days in Perth each started 50 years ago, our country people who couldn’t The north pool includes the The WACFL has used its July. demographic was participate previously will Mortlock, Central Midlands network of 12,500 senior This season, however, the predominantly farmers and now get the chance to be a Coastal, Central Wheatbelt players to drive social change competition will begin with school teachers, now the part of country week. The and North Midlands leagues. on road safety, men’s health, several full-length matches in majority of players involved carnival is coming to them.” Each team will play one drugs and alcohol. Wednesday, March 16, 2016 WAFL 2016 15 Juniors love their footy

ᔡ Riley Stuart

The future of football in WA is in safe hands, if burgeoning junior numbers are any indication. WA led the nation in Auskick growth last year, with an incredible 23 per cent increase in participation rates. The next closest State was , with 3 per cent. WA Football Commission participation manager Troy Kirkham said the statistics cemented WA’s reputation as an Aussie Rules stronghold. “This growth is largely attributed to the mums and dads and Auskick volunteers at clubs that week in and week out make our community-based Auskick centres fantastic places to be,” he said. “They create great family-friendly environments where boys and girls have the opportunity to get outside and be physically active playing Auskick. “Auskick provides healthy competitive opportunities for kids but it doesn’t over emphasise winning, scoring and longer-term outcomes such as premierships. Learning the game: Auskick participation rates increased by 23 per cent in in 2015, a growth rate that led the nation. “It is an ideal environment for kids to grow, develop and learning how to interact with five and eight in Western He said junior football to either play or umpire footy learn the sport and develop other children as part of a Australia. helped children develop in season 2016,” Kirkham their skills in the game. team in small group Kirkham said Brownlow important skills including said. “Children learn activities.” medallist had been team work, fair play, To find your nearest club fundamental motor skills Auskick continues to be the involved in helping promote confidence, self-discipline and visit www.playaflwa.com.au. vital for future physical No.1 junior sports junior football in the State for resilience while also being To register your interest in activity and sport participation program for the past three years and had physically active outdoors. umpiring football visit participation as well as children between the ages of done a “remarkable” job. “It’s not too late to sign up www.getinthegame.com.au. WESTERN AUSTRALIA PROUD SUPPORTERS OF LOCAL FOOTY IN WA