10 Things We Learned: Dogs unearth another star forward, Colts record broken, WAFLW upset and more

We take a look at the talking points from at entertaining weekend of Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW and EGT WAFL Colts action.

Braun makes statement with record-breaking Colts performance

Talk about making a statement.

Claremont son of a gun Noah Braun produced a record-breaking EGT WAFL Colts performance in his team’s comfortable win over Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday night.

Braun, the son of West Coast premiership hero Michael, racked up a jaw-dropping 50 disposals for the reigning champs, smashing the previous record by three and becoming the first Colt to break the half-century mark.

Claremont product Jake Patmore originally held the record in 2017, which was equalled by former East Perth player Harley Sparks in 2019 and West Perth ball magnet turned Collingwood draftee Sam Swadling last season.

His astonishing stat line, which was originally tallied at 52 before a review, included 12 marks, 10 clearances, seven inside 50s, six tackles and two goals.

It comes after the 17-year-old missed AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys selection.

If he keeps putting together performances like this, the hard-running left-footer may earn a late call-up in the coming weeks.

Highlights from Claremont midfielder Noah Braun’s record-breaking colts game last night which included 52 disposals (beating the previous best of 47 equalled by West Perth draftee Sam Swadling last season), 12 marks, 10 clearances, seven inside 50s, six tackles and two goals. pic.twitter.com/vUzeJcEO27

— Jordan McArdle (@jordan_mc12) May 10, 2026

Sharks’ shock in WAFLW

East Fremantle recorded a thrilling one-point win over two-time reigning champs Claremont in a Friday night ATCO WAFLW blockbuster at The Good Grocer Park.

The Sharks kicked the only two goals of the final term to overcome a 10-point three-quarter time deficit.

Defender Mack Webb was brilliant against her former team, finishing with 20 disposals and five marks, while at the other end Meg McAullay kicked the match-winning goal at the 14-minute mark of the last and teenager debutant Sienna Lilly also kicked a goal.

Midfield duo Jayme Harken (32 disposals and eight tackles) and Juliet Kelly (28 and nine) were the Tigers’ best in a losing cause.

It was the Sharks’ third win on a row, putting them 4-2 alongside Claremont and Subiaco.

Thunder’s Colts fairytale continues

After breaking a 658-day win drought in Round 5, Peel Thunder made it back-to-back victories with a spirited upset over East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday night.

The Thunder trailed for the majority of the contest before East Perth stormed back into it to level the scores at 6.9 apiece early in the final quarter.

But a five-goals-to-one final term was enough for the Mandurah-based team’s second win in eight days after getting over the line by just six points against West Perth the previous round.

Key forward Trent Robertson was outstanding with a game-high four majors including back-to-back goals in the final term, skipper Drew Clarke led from the front with his defensive pressure and work ethic, and speedster Leo Gilla caught the eye with his run and carry.

Same old Claremont

Another week, another Claremont win.

The unbeaten ladder leaders made it six wins from as many starts, defeating Perth by 52 points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The Tigers kicked eight goals to two in the second half with young gun Sam van Rooyen (three goals) the most damaging forward.

Sandover medallist Bailey Rogers was again among the best for Claremont with 27 disposals and two goals, Oliver Eastland (24 disposals and 22 hit-outs) dominated in the ruck, Alex Pearce was excellent down back and Sam Alvarez racked up a game-high 30 touches in the engine room and Zac Mainwaring (21 and a goal) continued his hot form in the middle.

Aaron Clarke (three goals) and co-captain Corey Byrne (30 disposals and a goal) battled hard for the Demons.

Peel finally wins a close one

After consecutive one-point losses earlier in the season, Peel Thunder coach Adam Read would’ve no doubt been relieved to win a tight one against the Royals in Leederville on Saturday afternoon.

The Thunder led for the entire match on the way to a hard-fought six-point win, but were never really in the clear against last season’s grand finallists.

Sandover Medal fancy Jeremy Sharp returned to the WAFL with a bang, racking up a whopping 37 possessions in another likely three-vote performance after missing the last two games due to Dockers duties.

Recruit Lachie Tardrew was against outstanding through the midfield with 24 disposals and 12 tackles, while captain Jack Sears did the damage up forward with three goals.

Former Big Bash cricketer is pretty good at footy too

Ex-BBL cricketer Clint Hinchliffe is putting together a fine debut season for Swan Districts.

The wrist-spinning all-rounder turned left-footed midfielder/half-forward is averaging 22.3 disposals in his long-awaited return to the WAFL, more than a decade since he last took the field for West Perth Colts in 2015.

He had another 25 on Saturday as the Black Ducks won their second game of the season against East Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval.

Swan Districts’ 42-point win came off the back of an 11-goals-to-four first half.

Recruit Jovan Petric starred with four goals, livewire William Reidy chimed in with three and took an absolute hanger and Zane Trew (24 disposals and a goal) returned from a shoulder injury in style.

Lions come home strongly

Subiaco snatched a stunning come-from-behind victory over West Perth at HBF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday.

Caitlin Smith was the hero for the Lions with three goals including the lead-changing blow in the dying minutes to help her team bounce back from 22 points down early in the third quarter.

The usual suspects got it done in the midfield for Subi with Lisa Steane (28 disposals and a goal), Paige Sheppard (26) and Krstel Petrevski (18) all prominent.

West Perth recruit Zoe Huggett matched Smith’s three-goal performance at the other end, while young gun and Under-16s All-Australian Arybella Nelson had a team-high 22 disposals in just her third WAFLW appearance and father-daughter prospect Trista Smoker had some nice moments on debut.

Souths unearths another star forward

Young forward Cooper Clarke-Dehring celebrated his return to the seniors with a stunning five-goal performance as South Fremantle easily accounted for West Coast at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

Clarke-Dehring was in everything up forward in the Bulldogs’ 61-point win, making the most of his inclusion for the hamstrung Trey Ruscoe.

Ruscoe will not only miss games through injury, he’s also got a mid-season overseas trip which will increase his absence.

Clarke-Dehring, a 21-year-old talent from Donnybrook in the South West, showcased his athleticism, overhead marking and ability to convert difficult opportunities.

The best of his five was a goal-of-the-week contender in the opening term, outmuscling his opponent before snapping it around his body.

Former Eagle Isiah Winder, AFL Draft prospect Lucas Robinson and smooth mover Jake Florenca led the way in the midfield, while Elijah Hewett responded to his AFL axing in style for West Coast.

On a sad note, AFL premiership forward Jamie Cripps suffered a potentially career-ending knee injury for the Eagles in the final term.

Sokol winds back the clock

Returning veteran Ben Sokol produced a vintage goal-kicking display as Subiaco defeated West Perth in Joondalup on Saturday.

The two-time Bernie Naylor Medal winner and three-time premiership player booted a season-high five majors as the Lions returned to the winners’ list.

Sokol came out of retirement this season to join his long-time coach Jarrad Schofield back at Subi.

It took his season tally to eight majors from six appearances and showed he’s still got plenty left in the tank.

There was another multiple Bernie Naylor Medal winner kicking goals at the other end with four-time winner Tyler Keitel finishing with a team-high four majors for the Falcons.

But it wasn’t enough as the Lions prevailed by 47 points to move to fifth on the ladder.

Thunder ressies on a tear

Peel Thunder’s reserves kept their remarkable unbeaten run going, knocking off reigning premiers East Perth by 34 points at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

The Thunder are making the most of increased depth, both from an AFL-listed and WAFL-listed perspective, in what’s on track to be their best ever season in the twos.

Jaren Carr, who was squeezed out of the seniors due to the number of fellow Dockers available, responded with 30 possessions, seven marks and two goals.

Recruits Darcy Wallinger, Toby Cossor and Dustin Walters (three goals) were also prominent in the victory.

Peel were bolstered by the inclusion of four AFL-listed players including goalsneak Leon Kickett, who kicked three goals in the seniors last round.