Elastoplast Inspiring Stories – The biggest injury returns of 2026

We take a look at the biggest injury returns ahead of the 2026 Sullivan Logistics WAFL season-opening round this weekend.

Cooper Stephens (East Perth)

The former first-round AFL draft pick is finally set to make his East Perth debut after an ACL injury during last pre-season wiped out his entire 2025 campaign.

Ben Hancock (Peel Thunder)

The dual Peel Thunder premiership skipper’s season ended early last season when he ruptured his ACL in a heart-breaking injury for the club. He was eased back through the reserves in a pre-season hit-out before returning to the seniors and looks good to go for Round 1 on Good Friday.

Zane Trew and Jarvis Pina (Swan Districts)

The former AFL-listed pair will be vital to Swan Districts’ plot to rise up the ladder after both were sidelined for the bulk of 2025 due to injury.

Both were injury in the Black Ducks’ win over Subiaco in Round 6 last season and weren’t seen again, with Trew damaging ligaments in his ankle and Pina suffering a knee injury.

They’ve impressed during the pre-season and will be welcome addition to Andrew Pruyn’s best 23.

Luke Meadows (West Perth)

An ankle injury in June ruled Meadows out for the remainder of the 2025 season but the West Perth captain is back and raring to go in a major boost to his team’s midfield.

Luke Foley (East Perth)

Tore his quad off the bone last year in a pre-season game for Subiaco before doing it again during the season.

Transferred to East Perth during the off-season and is building nicely ahead of Round 1.

Sam Gilbey (Claremont)

The talented-but-luckless young gun hasn’t played a regular-season match since a reserves game in Round 3 last season against East Perth due to a long-term foot issue.

Featured in two recent pre-season matches in a positive sign for Round 1.