10 Things we Learned: WAFLW finalists locked in, Colts performance for the ages, Eagles, Royals stay in the hunt and more

We take a look at the biggest talking points across the Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW and EGT WAFL Colts in our weekly column.

WAFLW finalists locked in

Perth missed out on a maiden ATCO WAFLW finals appearance in just their second season after falling short against minor premiers Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday.

With South Fremantle losing their final home-and-away round of the season to reigning champs Claremont, it opened the door for the Demons to snatch fourth spot if they got over the line against the Black Ducks.

But it wasn’t to be, with Swan Districts tuning up for finals with a 21-point win over the Demons with Dhara Kerr Medal favourite Jaime Henry booting two goals from 35 disposals.

Former AFLW star Hayley Bullas was the hero for the Tigers at Revo Fitness Stadium, racking up 34 disposals, laying 14 tackles and booting two goals, while two-time Dhara Kerr Medal winner Jayme Harken (30 disposals and a goal) and debutant Lucy Gilbey (21 disposals and four tackles) also impressing.

East Fremantle clinched third spot and a home first semi-final date off their cross-town rivals with a thrilling three-point win over West Perth at The Good Grocer Park.

Subiaco finished their season on a high, defeating East Perth by 38 points at Sullivan Logistics Stadium with Paige Sheppard (35 disposals) dominating in the midfield and Annabel Johnson booting four goals.

The Sharp stopper

Swan Districts tagger Seb Bright kept raging Sandover Medal favourite Jeremy Sharp to a season-low eight disposals in Peel Thunder’s hard-fought win at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

Sharp is averaging a touch under 28 disposals this season to emerge as the leading contender for the WAFL’s highest individual honour, but couldn’t get going as Bright wore him like a glove.

Swan Districts had a slender advantage early in the final term before the Thunder steadied with the final seven goals of the match to make it 11 wins in a row.

First-year Freo rookie Toby Whan (31 disposals and a goal) continued his improvement, while Doig Medal-winning ruck Sean Darcy (26 disposals and 41 hit-outs) was dominant in the ruck as he pushes his case for an AFL recall.

One-point wonders

Subiaco recovered from a scoreless opening term to snatch an important one-point victory over fellow top-five outfit Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.

The Lions kept their spot in the five with a hard-fought victory in a see-sawing contest against an inaccurate Demons who couldn’t put them away.

Stefan Giro starred for the winners with two goals from 26 disposals, while key back Jacob Blight bounced back from an early injury scare to play an important role in defence.

Former Cat Brandan Parfitt battled hard in a losing cause for the Demons, finishing with 29 disposals and a goal.

Eagles stay alive with upset win over champs

West Coast kept their finals hopes alive with a stunning upset over South Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

The Eagles overcame a fast-finishing reigning champs to prevail by 19 points as Finlay Macrae pushed his case for a club debut with a massive 33-disposal performance in the midfield, while fellow AFL-listed pair Tom Gross (21 disposals and two goals) and Matt Flynn (20 disposals, 35 hit-outs and a goal) also starred and draft prospect Harper Banfield (17 and a goal) continued his stunning start to senior footy.

Former Eagle Isiah Winder moved forward late and sparked his team to finish with four majors to go with 28 disposals, while Rolls Royce midfielder Jake Florenca (27 and 10 tackles) also did his bit.

West Coast are just percentage out of the top five, sitting in seventh spot as they hunt their first finals appearance since 2019.

Royals stay in the hunt

East Perth are within striking distance of fifth spot after easily accounting for East Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday.

Despite having to make five forced changes due to injury, the Royals got the job done by 22 points to remain percentage out of the top five.

Liam Tedesco was brilliant for the victors with 26 disposals and two goals, Coby Burgiel (21 disposals and a goal) produced an eye-catching performance in his return and mature-aged draft prospect Jake Soutar (23 disposals and 10 marks) was solid as a rock in defence.

Colts performance for the ages

Subiaco young gun Thatcher Simmons put on an absolute masterclass to help his team to a thrilling victory over Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.

The goal-kicking midfielder put the Lions on his back with one of the best individual performances of the EGT WAFL Colts season.

Simmons finished with 5.4 from 26 disposals in a stunning display.

The former State 16s representative has booted 19 majors in eight Colts appearances this season to go with an average of 23.6 disposals.

Subiaco held on for a six-point victory after being up by 33 at three-quarter time, with the Demons kicking four goals to none in the final term.

Swans’ streak over

Swan Districts’ unbeaten start to the WAFL Reserves season finally came to an end at the hands of Peel Thunder at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

After a dozen wins on the trot, the Black Ducks lost a tight contest to the third-placed Thunder by just five points.

Scores were tied at three-quarter time before Peel kicked away with the first two goals of the final term.

Lewis Zolnier-Owens gave Swan Districts a sniff late in the contest with his third majors before the Thunder held on for a memorable victory.

Sam the man

Sam van Rooyen showed he can help fill the void left by star Claremont sharpshooter Jaiden Hunter after booting four goals in his return to the seniors against West Perth.

Van Rooyen, the younger brother of Melbourne swingman Jacob, starred up forward to help the Tigers to a comfortable home victory on Saturday.

With Hunter sidelined for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, van Rooyen was recalled from the twos and made the most of his opportunity.

Veteran Alec Waterman also kicked four majors in the 23-point win, while Jack Musika’s strong season continued with 26 disposals, 10 tackles, six inside 50s and a goal.

Draft prospect Harvey Spawton-Guy kicked two goals for the second game in a row for West Perth, with veteran spearhead Tyler Keitel was forced to play a variety of positions.

And his younger brother went well too…

The youngest van Rooyen brother once again caught the eye in the WAFL Reserves to close in on a senior berth.

Benji van Rooyen, a 203cm ruck prospect who recently made the AFL Under-18s All-Australian Team to further his AFL Draft credentials, was named among the best in Claremont’s easy win over West Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium.

He kicked three goals, after two on debut last week, to go with 22 disposals, 17 hit-outs and five inside 50s.

Another famous name, Bailey Banfield who’s the son of dual West Coast premiership Eagle Drew, also starred with three goals from 27 disposals and eight inside 50s to put his hand up for a senior recall.

From Under-16s All-Australian to Colts debut

East Fremantle key forward Jayke Taylor looked comfortable at Colts level in on debut, named among the best in his side’s triple-figure thrashing of East Perth at The Good Grocer Park.

Taylor was the latest member of the drought-breaking WA State 16s Boys side who won the AFL National Under-16s Championships last month.

The 2028 AFL Draft prospect finished with 18 disposals, eight tackles, seven inside 50s, five marks and two goals.

Bottom-ager James Artemis was another big performer for the Sharks with 23 disposals and a goal.