Dual AFL premiership hero, No.2 draft pick, 200-game AFL player headline WAFL inclusions

A dual AFL premiership hero, No.2 draft pick and 200-game AFL midfielder headline some massive inclusions for Round 7 of the Sullivan Logistics WAFL this weekend.

Former Brisbane Lion Brandon Starcevich will play his first game since joining West Coast after recovering from a calf injury.

It will also be the East Perth product’s first WAFL game at any level since the 2017 Colts Preliminary Final loss to Claremont.

He will be joined by No.2 draft pick Cooper Duff-Tytler in Saturday’s clash against East Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park, starting at 1.10pm.

The pair are among 14 AFL-listed players in the side, including former Collingwood ball magnet Finlay Macrae who’s back from suspension and small forward Matthew Owies (calf).

The injury-hit Sharks welcome back premiership duo Harry Marsh and Lennon Marlin from hamstring injuries and young gun Oliver McManus from a calf issue.

Former No.1 draft pick and 203-game AFL midfielder Jaeger O’Meara is another exciting addition to the WAFL line-ups, named for Peel Thunder’s clash with reigning champs South Fremantle at Lane Group Stadium from 1.10pm.

O’Meara returns from a nasty facial injury sustained at Dockers training last month, with son of a gun Jaren Carr and livewire forward Leon Kickett also among the inclusions for the Thunder for skipper, premiership star and multiple Kia WAFL State Game representative Jack Sears’ 100th WAFL appearance.

 

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Sandover Medal fancy Jeremy Sharp is also among the dozen Dockers-listed players in the side which could increase in Fremantle don’t use their carry-over emergencies in their Friday night Optus Stadium battle with St Kilda.

A pair of former AFL-listed guns are back for the Bulldogs with Matthew Parker recovered from a hamstring injury and State representative Jamaine Jones also in after missing his team’s win over West Coast with illness.

Athletic tall Riley Colborne is also in, with Mitchell Geier, Tarkyn Etherington and West Love coming out.

Perth and West Perth have both made two changes for their Saturday match at Mineral Resources Park from 2.10pm.

The Falcons have recalled livewire forward Keegan Knott alongside Aiden Nelson at the expense of Ben Fairbank and Sandon Page.

Defender Connor Sing is back alongside Sam Cameron, who had a whopping 31 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals in the twos last round, with Jesse Glass McKasker and Cooper Moore omitted.

Jarvis Pina is a huge loss for Swan Districts’ clash against Subiaco at Steel Blue Oval from 2.30pm.

The former Fremantle rookie has been ruled out with a leg injury, however talented young ruckman Lucas Impey is back from a head injury, replacing Nathan Blakely, and experienced campaigner Brandon Erceg also returns.

Subiaco welcome back Mid-Season Draft hopeful Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves from concussion.

Hibbins-Hargreaves, coming off a 33-disposal, two-goal performance for the WAFL Under-20s last weekend against the AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys, is in for Hudson Walker who’s been omitted.

Unbeaten ladder leaders Claremont have made their first change in three matches with speedster Samson Jennings-Hopkins out with a knee injury ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash against last season’s grand finalists East Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium from 2.30pm.

Ex-Dockers livewire Joel Western, who has been dominating in the reserves this season, is in for his first league game for the year.

The Tigers will celebrate their 100th year in the match, donning a replica heritage jumper designed to replicate that worn in their inaugural game in 1926.

 

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The Royals have made seven changes, highlighted by several stars coming back from injury.

Former first-round draft pick Cooper Stephens returns from a calf issue, ex-Eagles pair Luke Foley and Coby Burgiel are also back from injury and important midfielder Liam Tedesco plays his first game since last year’s grand final.

Prolific midfielder Tom North (personal reasons) is the biggest loss for East Perth.