Good Friday teams: Debutants aplenty across the WAFL

East Fremantle have named five debutants for their Good Friday Sullivan Logistics WAFL opener against Peel Thunder at Mandurah’s Lane Group Stadium from 1.10pm.

Former Essendon forward Oskar Smartt, who crossed from Victoria in the off-season, joins ex-Fremantle big man Eric Benning, State 18s graduate Tom Phillips, Liam Robinson and Toby Alker among the first-gamers for the injury-hit Sharks, missing several key players including athletic ruck Reuben McGuire who suffered a year-ending ACL injury in a recent scratch match.

Collingwood premiership tall Mason Cox is in for his first official WAFL appearance for the Thunder, joining Dockers-listed teammates including Jeremy Sharp and first-round draft pick Adam Sweid in the 23.

Two-time Peel premiership skipper Ben Hancock makes his return from a long-term knee injury in one of the feel-good stories of the ground, with ex-Collingwood VFL skipper Lachlan Tardrew among the new faces alongside Sean Hunter.

RELATED ARTICLES

• 25 players to watch as EGT WAFL Colts season kicks off
• The biggest injury returns of 2026 ahead of WAFL opening round

Housemates and former Collingwood teammates Charlie Dean (Perth) and Fin Macrae (West Coast) will go head-to-head in the battle of the Mineral Resources Park co-tenants on Good Friday from 2.10pm.

Fin Macrae has been in good touch for West Coast over the pre-season.

Both will make their official WAFL debuts for their respective sides, with Dean signing with the Demons during the off-season and Macrae getting an AFL lifeline from the Eagles as an SSP rookie selection.

Son of a gun and ex-Sydney Swans rookie Indhi Kirk, son of Brett, is another new face to keep an eye on for Perth after a strong first pre-season at the club.

Small forward Lochlan Paton and dangerous utility Blake Schlensog are a couple of massive outs for the Demons, while West Coast’s recent AFL injuries have hurt their WAFL team’s depth with Tom Cole, Matt Owies and Sandy Brock all called up to the ones.

Fremantle Next Generation Academy talent and first-round draft prospect Lucas Robinson headlines the five debutants for South Fremantle’s clash against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Friday from 2.30pm.

Robinson has been named on ball for the reigning champs, who celebrate Simpson Medal winner and dominant ruck Hamish Free’s 50^th game.

Forward Mitch Geier, emerging tall Sam Otto, Aidan Harvey and Tarkyn Etherington are also among the first gamers.

Swan Districts will blood a heap of new faces including former Big Bash League cricketer Clint Hinchliffe, and Victorian recruits Lucas Impey, Jez Rigoni and Jovan Petric.

The Jarrad Schofield era resumes at Subiaco against grand finalists East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium from 4.10pm on Good Friday.

Schofield, a three-time premiership coach back in the WAFL this season, will debut former Richmond key defender Jacob Blight and former West Coast speedster Jack Petruccelle, but will be without his son and key midfielder Taj Schofield who’s out with hamstring injury.

East Perth has given SANFL recruit Damon Freitag a senior berth, while first-round draft pick Cooper Stephens finally gets his debut after his first year in the WAFL was ruined by an ACL injury.

Former Brisbane Lions goalsneak Darcy Craven is another big name at the Royals, returning after a stint in the AFL.