Sandover medallists, key defenders among WAFL fairest-and-best winners

Jake Florenca has added a WJ Hughes Medal to his recent Sandover Medal win after taking out South Fremantle’s fairest-and-best award.

The prolific midfielder edged out captain Chad Pearson and midfielder-forward Isiah Winder who were tied for second place.

It’s Florenca’s first WJ Hughes Medal triumph after he finished runner-up to Matthew Parker last season.

Premiers Peel Thunder crowned their fairest-and-best player with Dockers-listed emerging key defender Hugh Davies winning the prestigious Tuckey Medal.

 

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Recruit Lachlan Tardrew capped off a massive debut season in the WAFL with a second-placed finish, while departing Dockers veteran Bailey Banfield third and Sandover Medal runner-up Jeremy Sharp remarkably down in seventh.

Another key back won East Perth’s FD Book Medal as the club’s MVP for 2026 with mature-aged draft prospect Jake Soutar rewarded for his breakout year.

The 20-year-old Soutar, who earned a WA State Draft Combine invitation, averaged 17 disposals and seven marks in a dominant season.

Midfielder Liam Tedesco finished second and former Eagle Luke Foley rounded out the placings.

 

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Last season’s Sandover Medal winner Charlie Constable made it back-to-back Butcher Medals as Perth’s fairest-and-best player.

The Demons co-captain edged out recruit and former Collingwood defender Charlie Dean and running machine Baxter Philip who rounded out the top three.

East Fremantle young gun Jack Cleaver’s rise continued with the 22-year-old midfielder winning his first Lynn Medal.

Cleaver won the Sharks’ fairest-and-best honour ahead of veterans Jono Marsh and Cam Eardley who were second and third respectively.

Swan Districts midfield bull Josh Cipro was rewarded for his career-best season by winning his first Swan Medal.

In a thrilling finish to the count Cipro edged out captain and three-time winner Jesse Turner by just five votes.

 

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Former Big Bash League cricketer Clint Hinchliffe finished third in a remarkable first season back in the WAFL.

West Coast big man Matt Flynn won his first WAFL fairest-and-best award at the club’s John Worsfold Medal count at Crown Perth last month.

Flynn had a massive year for the WAFL Eagles, tallying the most hit-outs in the home-and-away season with 598 across 16 games.

The AFL-listed ruckman edged out ball magnet Fin Macrae who had a strong debut season at the club, with young midfielder-forward Tom Gross finishing third.

Claremont, Subiaco and West Perth will announce their fairest-and-best winners in the coming weeks.

WAFL fairest-and-best winners

Claremont: TBD

East Fremantle: Jack Cleaver

East Perth: Jake Soutar

Peel Thunder: Hugh Davies

Perth: Charlie Constable

South Fremantle: Jake Florenca

Subiaco: TBD

Swan Districts: Josh Cipro

West Coast: Matt Flynn

West Perth: TBD