10 Things We Learned: Another L Robinson unearthed, improved Eagles, sons of guns and more

Our new weekly column keeps you updated on all the talking points across the Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW and EGT WAFL Colts competitions.

Another L. Robinson unearthed

Last week it was Lucas Robinson, a South Fremantle young gun, who starred in his first taste of senior footy.

The week another L. Robinson, East Fremantle recruit Liam, stepping up.

Robinson, in just his second game for the Sharks after moving from South Australia, lit up The Good Grocer Park on Saturday with four majors including the match winner against Subiaco.

East Fremantle got over the line for their first win of 2026 thanks to Robinson’s fourth goal in the final minute of a see-sawing contest, with three points the final margin.

Robinson, a 25-year-old who previously played for Norwood in the SANFL, has six goals in two games to start the season and looks a real find for the Sharks.

Improved Eagles

West Coast are on the board for 2026 after an upset win over an inaccurate West Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

The Eagles’ added depth was on display in a promising sign for their hopes of improving on their two-win campaign last season.

Young AFL-listed key forward Jack Williams kicked a game-high four goals and WAFL recruit Sasha Kernutt contributed two against his old team alongside former Bulldog Caleb Datson, while premiership defender Tom Cole had a team-high 27 disposals.

Former West Coast midfielder Connor West racked up a staggering 42 possessions and a goal in a losing cause for the Falcons with Mid-Season Draft hopeful Kane Bevan had 36.

 

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Familiar names making their mark for Tigers

A Gale, a Banfield and a Sheldrick impressed for reigning EGT WAFL Colts premiers Claremont in their Round 2 victory over Peel Thunder at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

Sons of guns George Gale (son of former Docker and Saint Mark) and Harper Banfield (son of dual premiership Eagle Drew) and bottom-ager Lachie Sheldrick (brother of Sydney Swan Gus) did the damage in the midfield as the Tigers made it two from two to start their premiership defence in style.

Gale and Banfield were part of the AAMI WA Football Summer Squad and are in the mix to feature for the State 18s in the upcoming AFL National Under-18s Championship.

Gale backed up his player-of-the-round 32-disposal performance in Round 1 with another 28, while Banfield and Sheldrick combined for 45 disposals and two goals and tall forward Harry Brooks did the damage in attack with three majors.

 

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First draw of the season

South Fremantle and Perth couldn’t be separated in their ATCO WAFLW clash at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, splitting the points in a thrilling draw.

The Bulldogs led at every change before the Demons clawed back to level things up at 8.7 (55) apiece by the final siren.

Ex-Saint Isabella Shannon (31 disposals) showed she will be right up there in the Dhara Kerr Medal again this season with a dominant display for the WAFLW’s newest team.

Top Dogs the team to beat… again!

After the unfurling of their 2025 premiership flag at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday, South Fremantle showed they will be in the mix for another this season.

The Bulldogs kicked seven goals to three in the second half against fellow 2025 finalists Perth to finish 46-point victors.

Sandover Medal runner-up Matthew Parker starred in his return from a quad injury, amassing a team-high 31 disposals to go with nine clearances and a goal, while Trey Ruscoe booted a game-high four goals and skipper Chad Pearson barely put a foot wrong at the other end.

Sandover medallist Charlie Constable (34 disposals and eight clearances) was gallant in defeat for the Demons.

Swans’ winning ways continue

Swan Districts are the only unbeaten team in the ATCO WAFLW competition after their third win on the trot.

The Black Ducks defeated East Fremantle by 23 points on Friday night at The Good Grocer Park with Pre-Season Draft hopeful Jaime Henry producing her third 30-plus disposal performance in a row, finishing with a game-high 31 and five clearances, while her midfield partner in crime Naomi Baker continued her strong form with 21 touches to go with six clearances.

Sheppard stakes Dhara Kerr Medal claim

Another week, another best-on-ground performance from Paige Sheppard.

The star Subiaco midfielder turned it on once again in her team’s win over Sullivan Logistics Stadium co-tenants East Perth on Saturday evening.

Sheppard had 31 disposals, seven marks and seven tackles, backing up her 36 touches against Perth in Round 2 and 30 against West Perth in the opening round, averaging more than 32 and five tackles across the season.

If she continues this form, Subiaco will be well placed to have back-to-back Dhara Kerr Medal winners after Krstel Petrevski’s 2025 win.

The Lions have now chalked up back-to-back victories after a shock loss to the Falcons in their season opener.

Comeback kings

East Perth produced remarkable comebacks in both the Sullivan Logistics WAFL and EGT WAFL Colts against Swan Districts in the space of 24 hours.

The Royals trailed at every change in both contests before storming home to prevail in thrilling fashion.

In the seniors, East Perth booted five goals to none in the final term to win by 20 points as Mitch Schofield celebrated his return to the top side with a four-goal haul and former Brisbane Lion Darcy Craven contributed three.

The colts contest was a similar story on Sunday with East Perth kicking the final four goals of the match to snatch three-point win.

Jack Clarey was the hero with 27 disposals and three goals including the match-winning set shot in the dying seconds to deliver a famous win.

EGT Goal of the Year?

Swan Districts livewire Jackson McLachlan produced an early goal-of-the-year contender in his team’s narrow loss to the Royals.

The speedster managed to keep the ball in play in the left forward pocket before shrugging a tackle and stepping around three East Perth players before snapping it around the left goal post.

 

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Sandover duo in scary good form as new midfield weapon emerges

Claremont co-captains and Sandover medallist Callan England and Bailey Rogers combined for 55 disposals and two goals to lead their side to a hard-fought victory over Peel Thunder at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

New vice-captain Zac Mainwaring is another stepping up in the absence of dual Sandover Medal winner Jye Bolton, who departed during the off-season.

Mainwaring, known for his impact inside attack, is spending more time in the engine-room as he adds another string to his bow.

The Kia WAFL State Team representative had 19 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s in a lively display.

Dockers-listed talent Jeremy Sharp’s hot form continued with 25 disposals and three goals, while former Collingwood VFL player Lachlan Tardrew (25 disposals) is shaping up to be one of the recruits of the season.