WAFL Round 3 WrapTuesday, April 22, 2025 - 10:26 AM

There were big wins and standout performances across the WAFL last weekend as two clubs won their third consecutive game to begin the year in Round 3, while two others are yet to record a victory in 2025.

Let’s cast an eye over the round that was.

East Perth (65) v Claremont (54)

Round 3 kicked off on Friday night as Sullivan Logistics Stadium debuted its new lights for the Royals and the Tigers.

Claremont, welcoming back superstar Bailey Rogers for the first time this season, got the early jump, kicking four straight goals in the opening term.

Despite leading at every change however, the Royals booted four goals to one in the final term to complete the comeback victory and remain undefeated in 2025.

Jye Bolton was dominant for the visiting side with 33 disposals and seven marks, while inside counterparts Callan England (30 disposals, eight marks, five tackles) and Oliver Eastland (15 disposals, eight tackles, 41 hit outs) were also strong contributors.

The ruck battle was fascinating as Eastland battled with Scott Jones, who was a big performer for East Perth, as were Stanley Wright (26 disposals), Tom North (25 disposals), Angus Scott (25 disposals) and Hamish Brayshaw (24 disposals).

Second-gamer Will Cassidy was amongst the goalkickers for the Royals, while also laying a game-high 10 tackles.

Peel Thunder (41) v East Fremantle (103)

The Sharks travelled down to Mandurah on Saturday afternoon and shocked the still-winless reigning premiers, winning by 62 points as they booted 11 goals to four in the second half.

It was a dominant display from the visitors, who had 28 scoring shots to the Thunder’s 11.

Following last week’s showing, it was a 142-point turnaround for East Fremantle.

Harrison Marsh, Jarrad Jansen and Mitchell Zadow all nailed three goals each, while Marsh also collected 26 touches.

Tom Joyce (33 disposals) and Kyle Baskerville (31 disposals) led the way, whilst Jack Avery, Cameron Eardley, Milan Murdock and Lachlan Bailey all cashed in on the big win.

Peel were led by huge outings from Quinten Narkle (37 disposals) and Liam Reidy (17 disposals, 52 hit outs, six tackles) who both put themselves in the frame for a senior call-up next week.

Corey Tregenza and Jack Delean each kicked multiple majors.

Perth (99) v West Coast (63)

The Demons continued their strong start to the season, putting the Eagles to the sword after halftime.

Perth outscored West Coast nine goals to three in the second half, as their big names got off the chain.

Charlie Constable fought through some close attention to post a 35-disposal showing, while Riley Wills was a standout on the day, grabbing 28 possessions and taking five marks.

Brandon Parfitt’s remarkable run of form in 2025 extended as he found the football 26 times, taking five marks and laying four tackles along the way, while Michael Randall and Blake Schlensog also played well.

Aaron Clarke took advantage of Perth’s second half brilliance, finishing with a seven-goal haul.

Clarke kicked plenty of goals last season, including bags of four three times, five and eight, and looks set to feature among the Bernie Naylor favourites again.

For the Eagles, Tom Cole responded to his AFL omission with a stellar 34 disposal game, while Rhett Bazzo fought hard down back to win 27 touches.

AFL listed Eagles Clay Hall, Harvey Johnston, Bo Allan and Lucca Grego were all amongst the leading ball-winners, while Bailey Williams ended with 20 disposals, 25 hit outs and a goal.

 

South Fremantle (69) v Swan Districts (58)

An accurate Bulldogs outfit survived a late surge from Swan Districts to hold onto an 11-point win at Fremantle Oval despite having less scoring shots than the away team.

South Fremantle kicked 11.3 for the day, with Trey Ruscoe leading his side with five majors.

He moves into second in the race for the Bernie Naylor medal with 12 goals in three games to begin the season.

Jake Florenca and recruit Ethan Hughes amassed 53 possessions, 11 marks and eight tackles between them, while Chad Pearson took nine marks and collected 22 disposals.

Swans were led by Jye Chalcraft who had 29 touches, whilst Jesse Turner and Josh Cipro both recorded high-disposal games and contributed to the scoreboard with goals.

Evan Smith and Ben Hewett each kicked two majors, while Aidan Clarke made his return from a late-2024 suspension and added a goal of his own.

Swan Districts dropped to 0-3, far from expectations and the Bulldogs stayed undefeated to begin 2025.

Subiaco (44) v West Perth (104)

Tyler Keitel has his sights set on a fifth Bernie Naylor medal, having kicked five goals on Saturday night to lead West Perth to a comfortable 10-goal win.

His forward partner-in-crime Keegan Knott added three goals to his season tally, while wingman Joseph Hinder also chipped in with two majors.

Luke Meadows (35 disposals) was prolific through the midfield, as he has been throughout the start of the season, while club legend Shane Nelson just keeps getting better with age.

He collected 29 disposals, took six marks and kicked a goal.

Ben Johnson found plenty of the football, as did Roan Steele, Riley Sprigg and Kane Bevan.

Ryan Borchet was the only multiple goalkicker for the Lions, as Liam Hickmott, Stefan Giro and Taj Schofield battled hard.

Top of Form

 

Bottom of Form

WAFLW ROUND 4 RECAP

East Fremantle (20) v Subiaco (34)

The Lions moved to a 4-0 start to the season on Friday afternoon, led once again by their star-studded big names.

Recruits Lisa Steane and Paige Sheppard both amasses 28 disposals, while former AFLW players Krstel Petrevski (31 disposals, 1 goal), Maggie MacLachlan (24 disposals, six marks) and Dana Hooker (23 disposals, seven tackles, six marks, 1 goal) were all prolific.

Madison Evans, Maya Louvel-Fin and Sarah Wielstra were among the best for East Fremantle, who trailed at every change.

Claremont (47) v South Fremantle (25)

Friday afternoon at Revo Fitness Stadium saw a blockbuster matchup between two of the competitions’ best teams, and it was the Tigers who remained undefeated, handing the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.

Poppy Stockwell kicked three goals for the visitors, climbing to the fourth highest goalkicker in 2025, but the contributors for South Fremantle were few and far between.

For Claremont, who had the seven highest disposal winners for the game, it was a stunning team effort that saw them outscore Souths in every quarter.

Sarah Viney had 19 touches and kicked two goals, as did Megan Green from her six disposals.

Sasha Goranova led the way with 22 disposals and nine tackles, while Jacinta Valentini and young-gun Juliet Kelly combined to find the football 43 times.

Peel Thunder (30) v Swan Districts (37)

Swan Districts, despite an inaccurate start, booted three goals in the premiership quarter to surge to victory on Saturday morning.

Isabella Edgley won 31 touches and laid five tackles, while draft prospect Carys D’Addario was stellar, posting 30 disposals, seven marks and eight tackles.

Jaime Henry laid 11 tackles to go with 18 disposals and Kayley King kicked multiple goals from her 15 possessions.

Chloe Wrigley continues to find the ball at will in 2025, adding another 23 disposals to her season tally as well has 12 tackles.

Holly Bilcich grabbed 21 touches and helped herself to a goal.

Perth (33) v East Perth (42)

The Royals recorded their highest total of the year as they won their first game of 2025, holding off a fast-finishing Demons side.

East Perth led comfortably at three-quarter-time before Perth kicked 3.1 to nothing in the final term.

Fina Dethlefson booted three goals and Isabella Shannon found 25 disposals, eight marks and six tackles in the narrow loss, while Gema Dix also fought hard.

Jess Verbrugge was excellent for East Perth, putting up 25 disposals, six marks and eight tackles.

Brianna Cleggett, Summer Mollross and Layla Firns were also among the best, while the Royals leant on six different goalkickers on the afternoon.

Perth dropped to 0-4 with a bye next to come in Round 5.

Article by Denholm Melrose – Perth is Ok!