WAFLWTigers Premiership Coach Retains WA Role
Mark Readings
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15 Apr 2026
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There’s an air of optimism as Paul Sanzone enters his first full season as West Perth head coach after showing plenty in a caretaker role late last year.
The Falcons have some exciting additions as well as several experienced heads returning to the club as Sanzone, who took the reins midway through last season after club legend Jason Salecic’s departure before earning the permanent gig, plots a rise up the ladder in 2026.
Sanzone has bolstered his senior squad significantly with former West Coast rookie big man Coen Livingstone, Jonah Brooks and Mitch Miller from East Perth, Menno Inverarity and Kai Dehavilland from Claremont and Ben Fairbank from Perth.
West Perth have also managed to bring in interstate recruits including former Collingwood VFL player Chad Mulvogue, Northern Territory talent Matt Shannon and country Victorian big man Darcy Hobbs, while welcoming back midfielder Connor West, defender Noah Pegoraro and ex-Dockers tall Odin Jones.
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It’s provided a healthy competition for spots heading into the Falcons’ opening-round clash against Claremont at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday, April 4, with only Jones and Hobbs unlikely to be available for the season opener as they work their way back from injury.
“One of the first items we had to address when given the privilege of being selected as senior coach was to build a squad that was going to be hard to beat at both league and reserves level,” Sanzone explained.
“Being fortunate enough to bring other quality players from other WAFL clubs into the mix with the squad we had retained, plus the addition of our talented graduating colts, has worked well.
“What we now notice is that every player on our list knows there is going to be competition to gain spots in either team.
“In addition to the likes of Brooks, Miller, Inverarity, Dehavilland and Fairbank, we have been excited by the pre-season form of recruits Chad Mulvogue, Matt Shannon and Coen Livingstone who have all have trained exceptionally hard and have set pretty good standards for others to follow.
Former West Coast rookie Coen Livingstone is an exciting addition for West Perth. Picture: Drew Muirden
“Whenever you can get former players back to your club is always a bonus and, in both Noah and Connor, you can already see the profound influence they are having on the squad, and we look forward to them having great impact on game days.
“They’re both quality people and ply their craft as good as anyone.”
A number of graduates from last year’s colts squad have put their hand up for an early senior berth on the back of strong pre-seasons.
Sanzone showed last season he wasn’t afraid to blood the kids with draftees Jacob Farrow and Sam Swadling and fellow State 18s representative Lochy Carpenter all getting a taste of senior footy.
“Cooper Bewick, Aven Drewett, John Coleman, Peter Young and Lachy Pugh spring to mind who have put a big effort into their first senior preseason,” Sanzone said of the next generation coming through.
“It’s important that we continue to provide a pathway for our young players to strive to become senior players at West Perth.”
Senior leaders Luke Meadows, who’s been named captain once again, and Aaron Black are looking the goods heading into 2026.
Meadows is building nicely after missing a large chunk of last season with an ankle issue, while Sandover Medal winner Black is enjoying a strong pre-season as he nears his 300-game milestone for the Falcons.
Aaron Black has enjoyed a strong pre-season. Picture: The Sports Photo
“Having Luke back will be massive for the playing group and the club,” Sanzone said.
“I know he was disappointed how his 2025 campaign had ended abruptly.
“Since his operation to repair his damaged ankle, Luke has put in a super effort around his rehab program to be ready for round one, he is looking super fit and looking forward to leading his mates again.
“Aaron Black has certainly come back to his 17th pre-season with an energetic step in his stride,” Sanzone said.
“Sitting with Aaron after the 2025 season, he made it very clear he was going away to put the work in to return to his best.
“He has had a fantastic pre-season and looks to be covering the ground well.
“As always, Aaron gives his all for the club and no doubt, he will put his best foot forward to continue to build towards that 300-game milestone.”
West Perth had several draftees last year including Mid-Season pick-up Roan Steele (Collingwood), first-round pick Farrow (Essendon) and ball magnet Swadling (Collingwood), with Sanzone predicting several others to be on the radar of AFL clubs this year.
“From the senior group, Kane Bevan is really driven to take his game to another level and hopefully continue to be talked about around that space,” he said.
“The likes of Pugh, Coleman, Bewick, Young and Carpenter, to mention a few, all have aspirations of playing at the next level.
“From our talent pathway we currently have Koby LeCras and Harvey Spawton-Guy in the (AAMI WA Football) State 18’s Summer Squad and we look forward to their continued development over the next 12 months.”
As for his Sanzone’s hopes for the upcoming season?
“What you will see from the Falcons in 2026 is a senior squad that will firstly be hard to play against and competitive to give ourselves the best chance of getting back into the five and playing finals football.”
West Perth
2025 finish: 7th
Coach: Paul Sanzone
Captain: Luke Meadows
Ins: Jonah Brooks (East Perth/WAFL), Kai Dehavilland (Claremont/WAFL), Ben Fairbank (Perth/WAFL), Darcy Hobbs (Terang Mortlake/Hampden), Menno Inverarity (Claremont/WAFL), Odin Jones (Fremantle Dockers/AFL), Coen Livingstone (West Coast/AFL), Mitch Miller (East Perth/WAFL), Chad Mulvogue (Collingwood/VFL), Noah Pegoraro (Victoria), Connor West (Scarborough/Perth Football League)
Outs: Mitch Peirce (retired), Michael Mallard (Boulder/Goldfields)
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