WAFLTrack watch: Every WAFL club’s pre-season standouts
Jordan McArdle
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30 Jan 2026
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South Fremantle ruckman Hamish Free has been awarded the Simpson Medal after a best-on-ground performance in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Free led the Bulldogs to an epic two-point win over East Perth in a thrilling finish to the season, booting two crucial second-half goals to go with 19 hit-outs, 14 disposals and five clearances.
It capped off a strong first season back in the WAFL for the 27-year-old after a two-year stint with North Melbourne.
Free, who was adjudged best-afield by the umpires, was one of four players who polled three votes.
As per the WAFL rules, the umpires’ votes overrule in any event of a tie.
The following votes were awarded by judges of the Simpson Medal as best-afield in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium.
Mitch Woodcock (The West Australian)
3: C Pearson (SF)
2: J Florenca (SF)
1: S Jones (EP)
Trent Cooper (Channel 7)
3: E Hughes (SF)
2: I Winder (SF)
1: J Baker (EP)
Umpires
3: H Free (SF)
2: S Jones (EP)
1: M Parker (SF)
Total votes:
3: Hamish Free, Chad Pearson, Scott Jones, Ethan Hughes
2: Isiah Winder, Jake Florenca
1: Matthew Parker, Jordyn Baker
*As per the WAFL rules, the umpires’ votes overrule in any event of a tie.
Winner: Hamish Free (South Fremantle)
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WA Football acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands across Western Australia where we train, play, and come together through football. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep and continuing contribution First Nations peoples make to our game and our communities.
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