Jason Salecic needed some magic to get a win in his first game as coach of West Perth and he got it thanks to the man known as “The Whiz” – Keegan Knott.
Mitchell Woodcock
Given I’ll be watching this week on the sidelines, what better time to go through each team and give my take on the best players, writes Hamish Brayshaw.
Hamish Brayshaw
Perth coach Peter German says Dakota Baldwin-Wright will ‘always be in our hearts’ as he prepares his players for their first match since his death.
Jackson Barrett
A star Claremont recruit is being tipped to take the WAFL by storm this season just like his Fremantle twin brother, starting with Thursday night’s blockbuster season-opener against West Perth.
West Perth will begin its season under lights at Pentanet Stadium on Easter Thursday.
Erick Lopez
Sandover medallist Hamish Brayshaw will miss East Perth’s season-opener with concussion and says family experience means he fully supports the league’s new protocols.
Who’s shaping up as the next winner of the Sandover Medal? We count down the WAFL’s best 40 players ahead of the new season.
Andrew Gaff kicked a goal and will likely put his name back on West Coast’s selection table in an encouraging return to the WAFL in a practice match against Subiaco.
The West Australian Football Commission has cleared the way for East Fremantle to play home games this season under a “no fences” policy.
Glen Quartermain
Troubled former Richmond star Sydney Stack is on track for a shock round one debut at his new club Swan Districts after being named in their pre-season clash against East Fremantle on Saturday.
AFL and AFLW-listed players will be governed by separate concussion protocols to WAFL players even if they suffer the injury in the same competition.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has confirmed veteran wingman Andrew Gaff will be dropped after a career-low four disposal outing against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Pacey Fremantle defender Brandon Walker has taken a major step towards an AFL return, impressing for Peel Thunder in a pre-season clash against East Perth.
Aaron Kirby
Subiaco has wasted no time rewarding Luke Foley with a leadership role upon his return to the WAFL powerhouse.
Justin Bianchini
West Coast will be given until May 1 to decide the fate of their reserves team, with a move to the VFL still on the cards.
Subiaco have named former West Coast midfielder Greg Clark as their new captain just months after his return to the powerhouse club.
Exciting West Coast draftee Clay Hall has taken a big stride from an ankle injury after being named as one of 10 Eagles to play in their WAFL pre-season clash against Perth on Saturday.
Harry Quartermaine has been suspended from Perth’s WAFL season opener for what is understood to be a homophobic slur - in the same practice match that saw Zac Mainwaring sledged about his late father.
The president of the Perth Football Club says the fallout to a sledge directed at Zac Mainwaring was handled well and revealed he had reached out to the Claremont forward.
The son of West Coast legend Chris Mainwaring was the target of a sledge involving his late father during a WAFL practice match at the weekend.
Jackson Barrett and Mitchell Woodcock
East Fremantle premiership coach Bill Monaghan “wouldn’t be surprised” if the Sharks lost ruck recruit Brynn Teakle for a second time mid-season
The West Australian Football League’s desire to bring in a 21-day concussion break this season has hit a hurdle due to a conflict with AFL policy.
West Australian Football Commission chair Wayne Martin says there is “no fundamental impediment” to establishing a fighting fund for serious football injuries amid questions over its slow progress.
The West Australian Football Commission is likely to rule out temporary fencing for this year’s local Fremantle derby at a redeveloped East Fremantle oval.
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