Former Eagles star to make first WAFLW appearance in 1171 days

It’s the WAFLW comeback 1171 days in the making.

Former AFLW star and Claremont favourite Hayley Bullas will make her long-awaited return for the Tigers on Saturday against Peel Thunder at Mandurah’s Lane Group Stadium, marking her first appearance since Round 3, 2023.

Her last Claremont game was marred by an ACL injury, on the same week as she signed with Sydney Swans.

Dual Claremont premiership coach Jack Schwarze had been impressed with Bullas’ work ethic and determination to get back to playing after building up at training over the past two months.

“I can’t understate how impressive it is that she has made this return after such a significant time off,” Schwarze said.

“I can’t wait to see what she can do but I’m just stoked that’s she’s back out there.”

 

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It will be nearly 600 days since she last pulled the boots on, for the Swans back in Round 8 of the 2024 AFLW season.

The 37-game former AFLW player featured 30 times for West Coast and a further seven for the Swans.

Schwarze described Bullas as an “absolute professional” who will add plenty of class and footy IQ to the side.

“She’s an absolute professional with the way she goes about it,” he said.

“She’s communicated well with our medical team so that she can build back appropriately, sometimes maybe pushing the limits of what she was allowed to do.

“She’s been training with us for around eight weeks now and luckily she had been keeping fit before that.

“She adds so much class, instinct and footy knowledge, but it’s also so valuable having another positive and infectious person around the club and at training.

“She’s very loved and respected by the playing group and staff, as evident by the reaction from the group when we announced that she’s back this weekend.

“I initially met with her at the start of pre-season but she had a lot happening in her life and wanted to get her balance right first.

“When I got her call in April I thought she was pranking me, but I was stoked that she was in the position to get herself back.”