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WAFL Storylines - Round 6Monday, May 12, 2025 - 4:31 PM - by Jordan McArdle
We take a look at the biggest storylines from the weekend of WAFL, WAFLW and WAFL Colts action in our new weekly column
Black Ducks off the mark in style
Swan Districts bounced back from a tough start to the season to produce their first win of 2025 under lights at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday night.
The Black Ducks were 0-5 heading into the contest against Subiaco but showed what they’re capable of with a dominant 75-point win - 20.13 (133) to 9.4 (58).
Aidan Clarke (39 disposals) and Jye Chalcraft (38 and 16 clearances) did the bulk of the damage in the midfield, while captain Jesse Turner chipped in with 30 and Seb Bright booted four goals in a team that lost ex-AFL pair Jarvis Pina and Zane Trew to injury during the game.
Spearhead Archer May (four goals) and skipper Greg Clarke (31 disposals and seven inside 50s) fought hard for the Lions.
Sears stars as Peel get flag defence back on track
Forward Jack Sears fired with a career-high five majors as Peel Thunder went within one win of the top-five after downing West Perth at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday.
Sears made the most of silver service from a Docker-laden Thunder midfield, led by Will Brodie (35 disposals), Neil Erasmus (30 and six inside 50s) and the returning Nathan O’Driscoll (17, five inside 50s and a goal) to star up forward.
The 2024 premiership player has kicked nine goals in his last three games.
Young gun Scott Tuia, who was also part of the Thunder’s senior flag last season, returned from a knee injury in style with 31 disposals, eight marks and six tackles.
AFL mid-season draft hopeful Michael Sellwood was excellent down back with 30 disposals and nine marks).
Simpson medallist inspires Demon defeat at Shark Park
East Fremantle made it four wins on the trot, defeating the in-form Demons at Good Grocer Park on Saturday afternoon with Simpson medallist Milan Murdock starring.
Murdock had a day out in the Sharks’ 50-point win – 13.20 (98) to 7.6 (48) – amassing a team-high 30 disposals to go with nine tackles against a star-studded Perth midfield which included ex-Geelong pair Brandan Parfitt and Charlie Constable.
He’s averaging 28.3 disposals and seven tackles per game in 2025, to go with four majors, to be among the favourites for the Sandover Medal.
The Sharks are one of three teams with a 5-1 record, sitting just percentage behind ladder leaders East Perth.
Bernie Naylor Medal race heats up
Just three goals separate the top-four goal-kickers after six rounds of the Sullivan Logistics WAFL competition.
West Perth veteran Tyler Keitel is leading the way with 22 majors in six games as he looks to win his third Bernie Naylor Medal in a row and fifth overall.
But there’s several others nipping at his heels with East Fremantle forward Cody Leggett on 20 after booting 3.3 in the win over Perth at the weekend.
Second-year Demon Aaron Clarke and South Fremantle recruit Trey Ruscoe are on 19 goals apiece.
Clarke booted three in the loss to the Sharks, while former Collingwood-listed utility Ruscoe also kicked three at the Bulldogs bounced back from a shock loss to West Coast to defeat Claremont on the road.
Royals defeat Eagles to remain top
East Perth will head into the WAFL state game break on top of the league ladder after a 10-goal victory over West Coast at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.
The Royals now have a 5-1 record with superior percentage than second-placed East Fremantle and third-ranked South Freo.
Former Fremantle pair Scott Jones (47 hit-outs) and Sebit Kuek (four goals) impressed, as did 2023 Sandover medallist Hamish Brayshaw (25 disposals, seven inside 50s and two goals).
Two-time Dhara Kerr medallist continues hot form
Two-time Dhara Kerr medallist Jayme Harken was best-afield as Claremont defeated Perth in Sunday WAFLW action at Revo Fitness Stadium.
Harken, hunting her third Dhara Kerr Medal in a row, produced a monster performance with 29 possessions, 10 tackles, five inside 50s and a goal.
Multi-talented athlete Juliet Kelly was another standout with a staggering 18 tackles to go with 23 disposals.
The 45-point victory – 11.5 (71) to 4.2 (26) - sets up a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash against fellow undefeated team Subiaco at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.
Swadling’s rare hat-trick
West Perth ball magnet Sam Swadling produced his third 40-disposal performance in a row to lead his team to a 44-point colts win over Peel Thunder.
The State 18s squad member had 40 possessions in Mandurah on Saturday night after 42 and 40 in his previous two outings against Claremont and South Fremantle respectively.
The Whitford JFC product is averaging a remarkable 35.2 disposals in six matches this season to put his name in lights for this year’s AFL draft.
Bulldogs’ Whan-two punch in colts
South Fremantle’s dynamic duo Toby Whan and Fred Rodriguez combined for a whopping 66 disposals and two goals to lead their side to a massive colts victory over Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday morning.
Fremantle Next Generation Academy talent Whan racked up a game-high 34 touches to go with six marks and a goal, while fellow AFL draft fancy Rodriguez wasn’t far behind with 32, four tackles and a goal to earn EGT Colts Player of the Round honours.
The Bulldogs are sitting atop the EGT WAFL Colts ladder with a 4-1 record and massive percentage of 211.6 after their 69-point win over the Tigers – 15.11 (101) to 5.2 (32).
Prolific midfielder Whan has the second-most disposals in the competition, averaging 29 across his first five games.
Smooth-moving AFL Academy member Rodriguez has already tasted senior footy at Souths, making his league debut in the opening round.
The pair will be among the most exciting names to watch when WA’s national under-18s campaign gets underway next month.
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