Country Catch Up: Ex-AFL stars hit the regionsFriday, August 22, 2025 - 2:33 PM - by Jordan McArdle

We take a look at what's happening around WA's country competitions in our regular column.

Beverley’s Pav-olution

Fremantle’s greatest ever goal-kicker Matthew Pavlich pulled on the boots for a country cameo last weekend.

The AFL Hall of Famer lined up for Beverley in the Avon Football Association as part of a sponsor promotion and show he’s still got it with two goals and an eye-catching pack mark.

It was a big crowd in Beverley to see the former Dockers superstar in action for his first competitive match since hanging up the boots at the end of 2016 after 700 goals in 353 games.

“I haven’t kicked the footy outside of in the backyard or down at my kids’ footy teams, for about nine years. I haven’t played a competitive footy match since I retired in 2016,” Pavlich told Fox Footy ahead of his return.

Pav’s Redbacks went down by nine points in a thriller against Quairading, who had the likes of former St Kilda forward Tom Lee and ex-Swan Districts midfielder Freddie Clutterbuck at their disposal.

A Shaw thing in Kalgoorlie

Former GWS Giants and Collingwood star Heath Shaw also made a one-off appearance in WA’s country competitions recently, lining up for Kalgoorlie City in the Goldfields Football League.

The 2010 AFL premiership player and 325-game defender featured in the loss to GFL powerhouse Mines Rovers earlier in the month.

The 39-year-old has played several one-off games around the country this season including the Adelaide Football League, Melbourne’s Northern Football League and Geelong’s Barwon competition.

Carlton legend Anthony Koutafides also visited Kalgoorlie’s Sir Richard Moore Oval, speaking at a special post-match function.

Kane and able in South West

Sandover medallist and former Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Mitchell has been a fine addition to the South West Football League.

The Claremont champion joined Bunbury midway through the season and has been among his new team’s best players in each of his six appearances.

His efforts couldn’t get the Bulldogs over the line against arch-rivals South Bunbury last round, with the Tigers coming back from 32 points down in the third term to prevail in a stunning contest.

Bunbury are currently fourth on the ladder heading into the final home-and-away round this weekend.

Eaton’s massive coup

Sticking with the South West competition and Eaton Boomers have pulled off a massive coup with the signing of two-time AFL premiership hero Marlion Pickett.

Former Richmond midfielder Pickett, who tallied 91 AFL appearances, will play for Eaton in 2026 in a huge boost for their hopes of climbing the SWFL ladder.

The South Fremantle product last played AFL in 2024 and will join the likes of ex-Docker Jason Carter who’s been brilliant in his debut season with the club.

Ex-Bomber returns for home club

Former Essendon and Peel Thunder midfielder Ben Howlett made his return for home club Donnybrook in the South West last weekend.

Howlett was part of a star-studded Dons reserves outfit who easily accounted for Collie Eagles alongside former Swan Districts player Brandon Jetta and country guns Chris Atthowe and Jeff Smith.

Sullivans WAFL Trophy Tour hits the regions

The Sullivan Logistics WAFL Trophy Tour wrapped up this week with back-to-back events in Pinjarra and Albany.

The three-stop regional trophy tour, which kicked off in Katanning last week, saw more than 250 kids take part in junior football clinics while their families watched on from the state-of-the-art Sullivan Logistics Truck which opened up into a multi-level viewing platform.

The nearly 100 junior footballers from Southern Districts Junior Football Association who took part in Thursday’s Albany clinic at Centennial Park were treated to a special surprise with the AFL premiership cup joining the WAFL and WAFLW trophies which featured at every stop.

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