WAFL Round 15 teams: Freo NGA talent to debut, State 18s guns return

Fremantle Next Generation Academy talent Josh Nathan will make his senior debut for East Fremantle against Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday in the first game of Round 15 of the Sullivan Logistics WAFL.

The 18-year-old, who was part of the AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys Summer Squad, has played the last five games in the Reserves including an 18-tackle, 18-disposal performance against Peel Thunder last week.

It comes as forward Jack Cocking has been promoted for his first senior outing for 2026 after four goals against the Thunder last week.

The injury-hit Sharks will be without premiership utility Harrison Marsh (hamstring) and youngster Elijah Stockden.

The third-placed Demons, aiming for back-to-back wins after thrashing West Coast last round, with Noah Cachard coming in for Riley Wills who’s sidelined with a leg injury.

Swan Districts welcome back WA State 18s co-captain Leo Steed and speedster Jackson McLachlan for their must-win clash against reigning champs South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

Steed is coming off a brilliant AFL National Under-18s Championships campaign, while McLachlan has been cleared to return from a shoulder injury.

The Black Ducks are going for three wins on the trot to keep their finals hopes alive against the Bulldogs, who knocked off Claremont in an epic clash last round to get their premiership defence back on track.

Big man Tom Smith has been recalled alongside young gun Otis Harvey, with rebounding defender Jarvis Pina is out with suspension and Max Chipper also unavailable, while Will Collins and Harley Cummings have been omitted.

Souths have regained the services of premiership midfielder Tom Blechynden from illness and smooth-moving second-gamer Max Thomas from suspension, with tall forwards Jordan Boullineau (suspension) and Cooper Clarke-Dehring (omitted) coming out of the side.

In the final game of the round, bottom-placed West Perth have received a much-needed boost in the form of gun midfield duo Kane Bevan and Connor West, who return alongside ruck Coen Livingstone and key back Sam Rotham for Saturday’s clash against Subiaco at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

The Falcons will be without dashing defender Ben Johnson (quad), while Matthew McKenzie, Jack Wooden and Jonah Brooks have been squeezed out.

State 18s tall Frazer Rickson is back for the Lions, as is important forward Ryan Borchet who is returning from a wrist injury for his first appearance since Round 7.