What caught the eye: Pre-season week three

In the final weekend of full WAFL pre-season fixtures and a stand-alone clash in the WAFLW one week out from round one, we take a look at what caught the eye.

In like Fin?

West Coast recruit Fin Macrae put his hand up for an AFL debut at his new club after a strong performance for the improved Eagles’ WAFL side against East Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

The SSP rookie addition, who tallied 21 AFL appearances for Collingwood before joining West Coast during the off-season, was prolific in the midfield, winning plenty of the footy and hitting the scoreboard with two majors as the Eagles prevailed by 17 points – 17.10 (112) to 14.11 (95)

Big man Bailey Williams was another standout, splitting his time between the ruck and up forward where he kicked 2.3 and competed strongly in the air.

Fellow AFL-listed talent Malakai Champion continued his strong form in a dual forward-midfield role, West Perth premiership goalsneak Sasha Kernutt kicked a goal and had a hand in several others and Shannon Lucassen worked hard on the wing.

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Big Cox shines in Peel debut

Collingwood premiership big man turned Fremantle recruit Mason Cox was a shining light in his Peel Thunder debut as his team went down to Claremont in a tight contest at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Cox continued on from his strong first pre-season at the Dockers, having a big impact in the ruck and up forward.

While there were no official stats, The West Australian tallied with 17 disposals, 38 hit-outs, four marks and a goal for the 211cm Texan in their game report.

First-round draft pick Adam Sweid was another big performer for the Thunder and Hugh Davies stood tall down back, while new full-time skipper Jack Sears showed added another string to his bow with a successful midfield stint and Scott Tuia also did plenty.

Tigers’ nine-point victory was helped by three goals apiece from twin towers Jaiden Hunter and Kieran Gowdie.

Hunter has made the most of a rare full pre-season after several injury-hampered years, booting 10 goals in three games ahead of his team’s season opener against West Perth at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Easter Saturday.

Souths dominate in grand final re-match, draft fancy puts hand up for debut

Reigning premiers South Fremantle made a statement in their final pre-season match before round one, easily accounting for East Perth in Saturday’s grand final re-match at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Midfielders Roan O’Hehir, Isiah Winder, Aaron Drage and ruckman Hamish Free were prominent in the Bulldogs’ 52-point win, while athletic tall Jordan Boullineau pushed his case for more senior opportunities with a lively three-goal display and Lewis Rayson performed strongly down back.

AFL Draft prospect and Fremantle Next Generation Academy talent Lucas Robinson finished the game strongly, making the most of his midfield time in the final term to enhance his opening-round debut credentials, while emerging forward Mitch Geier (two goals) had another good outing after five goals last weekend as he closes in on a senior berth.

Former Hawthorn and Geelong midfielder Cooper Stephens and ex-Docker Tom North were among the Royals’ most influential, with SANFL recruit Damon Freitag kicking two goals and youngster Xavier Milner having some nice moments.

Dean stars in Demons’ win

Prized Perth recruit Charlie Dean starred in Perth’s tight victory over Swan Districts at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The former Collingwood defender is gearing up for a big debut season in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL.

Dean took a heap of intercept marks and defended well as the Demons prevailed by 11 points.

At the other end of the ground, Bernie Naylor Medal contender Aaron Clarke booted three, as did youngster Angus Luers, with Clarke taking his pre-season tally to seven after four majors last week.

Swan Districts signing Jovan Petric impressed on debut with two goals in a half, while fellow recruit Kade Chalcraft, who joins his brother Jye at Steel Blue Oval this season, also added two playing a mix of half-forward and midfield and Brad Lynch made a successful return.

Subi do it again

Make that three from three for Subiaco during the pre-season.

Reigning Outridge Medal fairest-and-best winner Jack Mayo looks set for another big year, booting four majors, with Ryan Borchet also kicking four and former Fremantle running machine Stefan Giro three.

Talented midfielder Taj Schofield has another excellent outing in the midfield as the Lions won by 69 points against West Perth in Joondalup to head into round one full of confidence as they prepare to tackle Sullivan Logistics Stadium co-tenants East Perth on Good Friday.

Galen Savigni and Marlin Corbett were also among the best, standing out at the defensive end.

Former Docker impresses in WAFLW Demons’ big win

The WAFLW’s newest team Perth tuned up for their second season in the competition with a big win over Peel Thunder at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

In the only WAFLW pre-season fixture of the weekend, the Demons prevailed by 58 points with former Docker and boom off-season recruit Poppy Stockwell kicking four goals and Giordana Maci also contributing four.