Margaret River Move Pays Off For CassidyWednesday, May 21, 2025 - 8:24 AM

Much was made of the high profile player departures from East Perth at the end of 2024.

Angus Schumacher, Mitch Crowden and Michael Randall were among those who left the Royals.

Fresh faces were introduced at last year’s Grand Finalists, including small forward William Cassidy who has grasped his opportunity with both hands.

The 20 year-old has been a revelation this year after making his League debut and is the club’s leading goalkicker with 10 for the year heading into Round 7.

“To say I’m loving it is an understatement,” Cassidy said.

“The culture at the club is second to none and all the lads get along.” 

 Cassidy has fond memories of the lead up to his debut in Round 1 against Subiaco.

“It started with an unknown number calling me at work and it happened to be Ross McQueen our coach,” he said.

“He told me I’d be debuting which is something I’d set my eyes on at the beginning of pre-season.

“It was even better when I found out my close mate Xavier Milner was debuting too.

“I was both excited and nervous, but as soon as the siren went it was the same it always was, having fun chasing the footy around.

“When that final siren went against Subiaco it felt like I had won a Grand Final.

“Wide smile and a day I won’t forget, welcomed off the ground, into the change rooms by friends and family.” 

Cassidy grew up in Margaret River and played his junior footy in the famous region in our south west.

“At the end of Year 10 I was training with the South West Academy Futures team and was fortunate enough to be offered a scholarship to Wesley College,” Cassidy said.

“I lived in the boarding house for Years 11 and 12 and played PSA football.

“They were very good memories, being captain and playing football with best mates.

“After I graduated Wesley College in 2022  I joined the East Perth Colts pre-season where I captained the team and learnt a lot of leadership skills that have held me in good stead in the seniors program.”

Despite having Seb Kuek, Tom Graham, Mitch Schofield, Ben Middleton and Tom Medhat as forward targets Cassidy has hit the scoreboard more than anyone at the Royals this year, including three goals in his last outing against the Eagles.

“As a forward line, we don’t care who is kicking the goals as long as we are getting our job done as a unit,” he said.

“Providing pressure, tackles, making a contest and locking it in.

“We want to put as much pressure on the opposition defence as possible, and I’m just the one who has been lucky enough to kick them.” 

Cassidy is acutely aware of the importance of this weekend’s top of the table showdown with the Sharks at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

“In a competition as close as the WAFL this year, where positions on the ladder are separated by a single percentage, every game is a big one and could have a massive impact on the result of the ladder come September,” Cassidy said.

“Every game is almost worth eight points and if you’re off by the slightest bit on any day, any team in the competition will make you pay.

“So the game against the Sharks will be no different.

“The boys will be amped, hungry and recharged after the week off, to take on an outfit that is competitive year in, year out.

“It will be a great challenge and a great opportunity for the lads come Saturday in Leederville.”