Hammer time as skipper returns for Anzac Day blockbuster

East Perth co-captain Hamish Brayshaw is set to play his first game of the Sullivan Logistics WAFL season in the Anzac Day blockbuster against Perth at Mineral Resources Park.

Brayshaw has been named after recovering from a calf injury in a massive boost for the Royals, who will again be missing fellow midfield gun Cooper Stephens who’s out with a quad issue after missing last weekend’s shock loss to East Fremantle through suspension.

The Demons will be without a midfield star of their own with Brandan Parfitt out for a second week in a row with an ankle injury.

It comes as Perth have blooded 18-year-old William Tilbee for his senior debut in the first of three massive Anzac Day games.

Jaxon McGowan has been named for his first senior appearance since 2023 as Subiaco take on Peel Thunder at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

McGowan is back in the WAFL after spending two seasons with Kingsway in the Perth Football League, winning the CJ Jamieson Medal as the A-Grade competition’s fairest-and-best player in 2024 to go with the grand final best-on-ground medal as Kingsway claimed premiership glory over Trinity-Aquinas.

Key defender and prized recruit Jacob Blight will miss again for the Lions with a rib issue.

Dockers-listed midfielder Jeremy Sharp, arguably the form player of the competition right now, and defender Brandon Walker have both been named among Fremantle’s emergencies for their Saturday night clash.

Both could still play for the Thunder on Saturday afternoon if they are not the carry over emergencies.

Fellow Dockers Bailey Banfield and Jaren Carr are among the inclusions alongside tough nut Tristan Bryce and midfielder Taj Wyburd.

East Fremantle have been dealt more injuries blows with Harry Marsh and Lennon Marlin both unavailable for Saturday’s clash against the unbeaten Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium.

The Sharks are coming off back-to-back wins and have surprised many so far this season, but their injury list continues to grow.

The Tigers welcome back forward Alec Waterman who was a late out for last week’s top-of-the-table victory over reigning champs South Fremantle due to a hamstring issue.

The Sunday teams for the two games – West Coast versing Swan Districts and West Perth taking on South Fremantle – will be named on Friday evening.