WAFL Story Lines: Demon delight, Schloithe's inspiring return, Trey's biggest haul, Peel fire and moreTuesday, June 17, 2025 - 1:04 PM - by Jordan McArdle

We take a look at the biggest story lines across the WAFL and WAFLW competitions in our weekly column.

Schloithe’s inspirational return after cancer battle

Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe’s inspirational returned sparked South Fremantle’s reserves to a win over East Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

The Bulldogs champion played his first game of the season, just two months after being told he was cancer-free.

Schloithe finished with 13 disposals, seven marks and a goal playing in Souths’ forward-line.

His goal early in the second term was the highlight of the game, with the popular veteran swamped by his teammates after converting a set shot from 45m out in the 19-point win - 9.10 (64) to 6.9 (45).

 

 

 

 

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The 31-year-old, who was diagnosed with cancer in January but is now in remission after surgery and several bouts of chemotherapy, said he’d felt a mix of emotions about his fairytale return.

“I was excited, nervous, anxious — a bit of everything really but more so excited that the day came around and I was able to have a run and a kick again. I got through unscathed which is great overall,” he told The West Australian.

“It (kicking that goal) was a feeling you can’t really describe. It was pretty special, and I was willing it through and it only just did.

“There was a lot of emotion, the joy of getting back out there and the happiness as well as the boys all getting around me. It’s a pretty special feeling, I will be forever grateful.”

Demon delight after historic WAFLW win

Perth’s WAFLW side has achieved what no other expansion club has done, winning a match in their opening season in one of the feel-good stories of the weekend.

The Demons defeated South Fremantle by 12 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval yesterday, winning 5.4(34) to 3.4(22).

The Demons, who had come close to a breakthrough win in previous weeks against West Perth and East Fremantle, led at every change and secured the historic result by keeping the Bulldogs scoreless in the last quarter while kicking one goal themselves.

 

 

 

 

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Taylor Strickland played a crucial role in the victory, booting three goals, while Jasmine Single racked up a game-high 29 possessions to go with six clearance and six tackles.

The triumph is a reward for the players and coach Jess Sedunary, who is pregnant and is about to finish her stint at the club and return to Adelaide.

New leader in Bernie Naylor Medal race

Gun South Fremantle recruit Trey Ruscoe has taken the lead in the Bernie Naylor Medal goal-kicking race after a career-high haul in Saturday’s hard-fought win over East Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The former Collingwood-listed utility booted seven majors in the blockbuster clash between two premiership hopefuls, bettering his previous best of five.

Ruscoe now has 33 goals in nine games this season, three ahead of four-time winner and West Perth veteran Tyler Keitel.

He continued his impressive accuracy in front of the sticks with 7.0 as Souths held off a late charge from East Perth to prevail by 10 points – 15.7 (97) to 12.15 (87).

 

 

 

 

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Midfield duo Jake Florenca and Matthew Parker did the damage in the engine room, combining for 48 disposals, 11 clearances and three goals.

Dhara Kerr medallist’s shock return as Subi women remain undefeated

Dhara Kerr medallist Danica Pisconeri made a surprise cameo for Subiaco at the weekend after some convincing from her close friend Aimee Schmidt.

Pisconeri hadn’t played for the Lions since their 2020 WAFLW grand final loss to Peel Thunder, one year after winning the Dhara Kerr Medal as the competition’s fairest-and-best player.

Subiaco, who defeated East Fremantle by 12 points – 5.10 (40) to 4.4 (28) at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Friday night to remain undefeated - are hopeful the 33-year-old will feature again at some point during the season.

Midfielder Paige Sheppard was best-afield with 31 disposals, seven clearances, seven inside 50s and five tackles, while Dhara Kerr Medal fancy Krstel Petrevski continued her hot form with 23 touches and five clearances.

Young Bulldog’s dominant colts display

South Fremantle colts captain Jacob Donald produced a dominant display to lead his ladder-leading team to a big win over East Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

Donald racked up a game-high 35 disposals, nine marks and three goals in the Bulldogs’ 92-point win over the Royals to claim EGT Colts Player of the Round honours.

 

 

 

 

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Son of a gun Taj Longmuir (24 disposals and nine marks) and ruck Byron Foster (19 disposals, 23 hit-outs and four clearances) also contributed three goals apiece.

The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games in a row to sit atop the EGT WAFL Colts ladder with a 6-2 record.

Reigning WAFL champs make it back-to-back wins

Peel Thunder kickstarted their premiership defence by winning back-to-back games for the first time this season.

After a stuttering season to date, the Thunder knocked off West Coast comfortably after edging out Subiaco before their bye.

Docker Will Brodie stuffed the stats sheet with 34 disposals, 11 clearances, eight tackles and eight inside 50s, while young forward Corey Tregenza celebrated his return from injury with a four-goal performance in the 52-point win at Mandurah’s Lane Group Stadium.

The win keeps Peel’s finals hopes alive and puts them one-and-a-half games outside of the top-five.