WAFL Story Lines: Milestones, returning stars, Big Freeze, Super Cooper, WAFLW finalists locked in and moreTuesday, August 5, 2025 - 6:23 PM - by Jordan McArdle

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

Inaugural WAFL Big Freeze warms the hearts 

The WA football community has shown its generosity by raising more than $93,000 to support those with Motor Neurone Disease.

Jordan’s DIY Big Freeze was staged at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday in support of West Australian Jordan Early who was diagnosed with MND earlier this year.

West Coast Eagles greats John Worsfold and Andrew Embley, AFLW Eagles coach and Hall of Famer Daisy Pearce, former tennis champion Alicia Molik and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medal winning Hockeyroo Jayde Taylor took the plunge into the icy water before the Sullivan Logistics WAFL match between Claremont and Peel Thunder.

The former athletes helped raise money and awareness for MND sufferers including Jordan, a 42-old West Australian who was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.

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Sharks shaky as Strom dominates milestone game

Zac Strom had a dream derby milestone as South Fremantle beat arch-rivals East Fremantle in stunning fashion at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

In his 200th game, Strom booted an equal career-high five majors in the Bulldogs’ 44-point win, with Brandon Donaldson (four goals), Roan O’Hehir, and Bernie Naylor Medal hopeful Trey Ruscoe (three) also chipping in.

Jake Florenca and Tom Blechynden were also prominent for the Bulldogs, while Jed Hagan’s five goals and Tom Joyce’s 33 disposals were the highlights for the Sharks who are now on shaky ground in fifth spot with West Perth coming.

Falcons stay alive after win over Demons

West Perth are now just two wins behind fifth-placed East Fremantle with three rounds remaining after knocking off finals-bound Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The Falcons have turned their season around under interim coach Paul Sanzone and could still pull off a miracle finals berth.

In a spicy final-round clash on August 23 at Good Grocer Park, the Sharks host the Falcons in what could decide who features in finals.

West Perth take Subiaco at HIF Health Insurance Oval this Saturday before a tough assignment against minor premiers South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval the following week, while East Fremantle have West Coast and East Perth at home over the next two Saturdays.

Bernie Naylor favourite Tyler Keitel booted three goals against the Demons to take his season tally to competition-high 41 majors, three ahead of Souths’ Trey Ruscoe, while Keegan ‘The Wiz’ Knott was lively with two to go with 21 disposals.

Veteran Shane Nelson was also influential with 32 disposals, the second highest on the ground behind star Perth midfielder Charlie Constable’s 35.

Fyfe stars in return but Tigers have last laugh

Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe starred in his latest injury return for Peel Thunder to push for an AFL recall for Fremantle.

But it was Claremont who further enhanced their top-two credentials at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday while ending the Thunder’s premiership defence.

Fyfe had 27 disposals, six clearances and four clearances to show he’s ready for a Dockers callup, with fellow Fremantle-listed player Quinton Narkle continuing his strong form.

Two-time Sandover medallist Jye Bolton had a brilliant midfield battle with Fyfe, amassing 28 disposals, eight clearances and a goal of his own to be among the Tigers’ best.

Wet-weather gun Ben Elliott was also impressive with 27 and six clearances, while recruit Jaiden Hunter booted a game-high four goals in the one-sided result.

Royals prevail in skipper 100th game… and 26th birthday

East Perth celebrated Christian Ameduri’s 100th game – and 26th birthday – with an easy win over West Coast at Sullivan Logistic Stadium on Saturday.

Inspired by Sandover medallist Hamish Brayshaw who had a whopping 39 disposals and 13 clearances, overcame a quarter-time deficit to prevail by 69 points.

Forward duo Mitch Schofield kicked an equal career-high five majors, while second-gamer Tyler Lindberg (20 disposals, nine marks, seven inside 50s and a goal) showed he was a player to watch for the future with an eye-catching performance.

West Coast big man Matt Flynn did his bit after getting dropped to the WAFL, but his Eagles were no match for a well-drilled and hungry East Perth outfit who look a real premiership contender.

Flynn, in his first WAFL appearance since Round 2, had a good ruck battle against in-form Royals ruck Scott Jones, with fellow Eagles axing Jack Hutchison also having an impact before suffering a hamstring injury.

Silky-skilled half-forward Tylah Williams, a Next Generation Academy product from Swan Districts, showed plenty on debut including a goal in the first 90 seconds.

First-year AFL talent Malakai Champion was another shining light, finishing with 20 disposals after a move into the midfield in the second half.

Crazy finish to WAFLW home-and-away season

It took until the final day of the home-and-away season to lock in the top-four spots in a rollercoaster finish.

Claremont snatched top spot and a home second semi-final from premiership rivals Subiaco with a convincing 33-point win at Revo Fitness Stadium on Sunday before East Fremantle hung onto fourth spot on percentage, despite going down to third-ranked Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

The Tigers and Lions do battle once again this Sunday at Revo Fitness Stadium for direct entry into the WAFLW grand final on August 24 at Mineral Resources Park.

The loser hosts the winner of Sunday’s cut-throat first semi-final between Swan Districts and East Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval.

The final round started at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Friday night with West Perth edging out South Fremantle by 12 points to keep their finals hopes alive while ending the Bulldogs’ dreams.

The Falcons needed Swan Districts to beat the Sharks by at least three-to-four goals, but they could only manage a four-point win in tough conditions at Bassendean.

Just 3.25 per cent separated the fourth-placed Sharks and fifth-placed Falcons, with Souths finishing four points behind in sixth.

WAFLW finals fixtures – week one:

Second semi-final: Claremont v Subiaco, Sunday, 12.30pm at Revo Fitness Stadium

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First semi-final: Swan Districts v East Fremantle, Sunday, 1.30pm at Steel Blue Oval.

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Super Cooper the hero in colts thriller

Cooper Dudfield booted the match-winning goal in wet and wild conditions at Steel Blue Oval as Swan Districts overcame a brave Subiaco outfit by three points in an EGT WAFL Colts thriller.

The Black Ducks were down by 16 points early in the last term before kicking the final four goals of the contest in a stunning comeback.

Dudfield was the hero with the winner with 20 seconds remaining as the fourth-placed Swan Districts snatched their eighth win of the season.