10 Things We Learned: A star is born, Dhara Kerr Medal favourite emerges and more

In our new weekly column, we bring you ’10 Things we Learned’ across the Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW and EGT WAFL Colts competitions.

A star is born

South Fremantle teen Lucas Robinson made a stunning start to his Sullivan Logistics WAFL career as the reigning champs took care of Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Good Friday.

The first-round AFL Draft prospect from Lake Grace, the same town as dual Brownlow Medal winner Nat Fyfe, slotted seamlessly into the Bulldogs’ engine-room to show he can match it with the big boys.

Robinson amassed 27 disposals in his first taste of senior football to go with a game-high 14 contested possessions and equal game-high nine clearances.

This writer may need to find a replacement for Robinson in his Top-25 EGT WAFL Colts Players to Watch feature as he’s not looking like dropping out from the seniors any time soon.

Robinson has been part of the AAMI WA Football Talent Program for several years and is expected to feature prominently in the AFL National Under-18s Championship later this year.

Mason Cox is going to be a problem

Collingwood premiership big man turned Fremantle recruit Mason Cox produced a best-on-ground performance in Peel Thunder’s season-opening Sullivan Logistics WAFL victory over East Fremantle on Good Friday in a stern warning to the competition.

Cox dominated in the ruck from start to finish, racking up 45 hit-outs, 24 disposals, seven inside 50s, five clearances and a goal on debut to push his case for an AFL recall.

He led the Thunder to lop-sided hit-outs (56-10) and centre hit-outs (21-3) counts and caused headaches for the Sharks’ defence whenever he drifted forward.

Mason Cox having a huge impact on debut for Peel Thunder with 23 hit-outs, 9 disposals, 4 marks and a goal in 1st half to help his side to a narrow lead. Received his jersey from former Magpies teammate Chris Mayne. Ex-Bomber Oskar Smartt impressing for East Freo with 2 goals. pic.twitter.com/cHToqE9o9p

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) April 3, 2026

An early Dhara Kerr Medal favourite emerges

Swan Districts on-baller Jaime Henry is putting up some serious numbers to start the ATCO WAFLW season.

Henry is averaging a staggering 35 disposals per game across the opening two rounds of the season, backing up her 32-disposal effort in Round 1 with a 38 in the unbeaten Black Ducks’ Good Friday win over South Fremantle.

She also had a game-high 10 clearances, six marks, five tackles and four inside 50s to emerge as an early favourite to win the WAFLW’s most prestigious individual honour.

If Henry keeps going the way she is, a call-up in next month’s AFLW Pre-Season Draft is surely on the cards.

Forward duo Ashley Sharp and Taylah Edwards booted three goals apiece to make the most of Henry’s impressive work in the midfield as Swan Districts jumped to the top of the ladder.

Jaime Henry is in serious touch for Swan Districts in the ATCO WAFLW. Picture: Blake Parry/The Sports Photo

Subi makes an early statement

Subiaco are set to be one of the big risers of 2026 if their opening-round Sullivan Logistics WAFL performance against East Perth is anything to go by.

The Lions officially kicked off their new era under returning three-time premiership coach Jarrad Schofield with a hard-fought win over last year’s grand finalists at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in an entertaining shootout.

After winning three from three over the pre-season, Subiaco continued their hot form with former Docker Stefan Giro leading the way with 26 disposals and three goals and the Hickmott brothers – Liam and Wil – combining for 59 disposals.

Recruits Jack Petruccelle (two goals) and Nick Girolami (20 disposals and five rebound 50s) also had an impact for the victors.

New year, same old Charlie

Charlie Constable resumed where he left off last season as the reigning Sandover Medal winner led Perth to an opening-round thumping of West Coast at Mineral Resources Park on Good Friday.

The former Geelong and Gold Coast star turned Demons co-captain had a game-high 35 possessions to go with 10 inside 50s, nine clearances and six tackles in a well-rounded performance.

Dynamic forward duo Aaron Clarke, who kicked seven goals straight, and Kane Johnston (6.4) were the major beneficiaries of Constable’s midfield dominance, combining for a whopping 13 majors.

Smartt signing

Former Essendon livewire Oskar Smartt made an impressive start to his time in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL after moving from Victoria during the off-season.

Smartt, a mid-season draftee who was cut by the Bombers at the end of last year after four AFL appearances, lit up the Sharks’ forward-line with an exciting four-goal display.

Among his four majors was a stunning goal on the run, where he intercepted a Mason Cox kick before taking two bounces and pulling the trigger from outside 50m.

East Fremantle lost a lot of top-end talent during the off-season, no bigger than four-time Lynn Medal winner Milan Murdock who was snapped up by West Coast, goalsneak Mitch Zadow (Port Adelaide) and last season’s leading goal-kicker Jed Hagan (Tasmania).

But Smartt looks like he’s at least going to help fill a forward-line void while pushing into the midfield in bursts.

 

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Bailey back to his best

Newly-appointed Claremont co-captain Bailey Rogers showed that he’s back to his brilliant best.

The Sandover Medallist has struggled with injuries in recent years but appears to have recovered from a long-term Achillies issue.

Rogers had 27 disposals, seven clearances and three goals as the Tigers start the season with a massive win over West Perth at Joondalup’s HIF Health Insurance Oval.

Fellow Sandover Medal winner Callan England (28 disposals and five clearances) and ruckman Oliver Eastland (25, 10 clearances, 35 hit-outs and a goal) were also among the best, while Talon Delacey and Jaiden Hunter booted four goals each and youngster Sam van Rooyen contributed three in just his third league appearance.

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Noa on the rise

East Fremantle teenager Noa McNaughton led her team to their first win of the ATCO WAFLW season with a best-afield performance.

McNaughton finished with 29 disposals, eight inside 50s and two goals as the Sharks easily accounted for Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium on Good Friday.

Another stand-out performer was defender Mackenzie Webb, a Claremont premiership player who crossed to East Fremantle during the off-season.

Webb had 23 disposals and eight marks in an important performance down back as the Sharks bounced back from an opening-round Fremantle Derby loss in style.

Swan Districts young gun closes in on senior debut

Swan Districts draft prospect Leo Steed put his hand up for an early-season debut with a brilliant performance in the EGT WAFL Colts over the weekend.

The talented midfielder produced one of the eye-catching performances of the opening round, racking up 31 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances and a goal in the Black Ducks’ loss to last year’s grand finalists South Fremantle.

Steed already got a taste of senior footy during the pre-season and didn’t look out of place.

If he keeps producing games like he did on Good Friday, a senior berth isn’t far off.

Peel recruit one to watch in Kia Mark of the Year race

Peel Thunder debutant Floyd Burmeister nearly had the Kia Mark of the Year wrapped up in the opening game of the season.

The athletic Vic Country product got some serious hangtime on the shoulders of teammate Corey Tregenza inside attacking 50, late in the second term of the Thunder’s win over East Fremantle.

Burmeister, who took a massive hanger during a pre-season scratch match, showcased his massive leap once again but couldn’t hang onto the mark.

He took a nice grab in the second half and converted his set shot for his first goal in WAFL football.

The teenager came to Peel during the off-season with serious wraps and is one to watch in 2026.