WAFLWAFL breakout contenders: The young guns ready to take next step at your club
Jordan McArdle
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4 Feb 2026
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Perth are predicted to rise up the WAFLW ladder in their second season on the back of a strong off-season of recruiting, while their star midfielder Isabella Shannon has been tipped by several pundits to win the Dhara Kerr Medal as the competition’s fairest-and-best player.
Swan Districts ball magnet Jaime Henry is another player backed to have another brilliant season after polling well in the Dhara Kerr Medal count last year.
Claremont, Subiaco and Swan Districts – the top-three sides from last season – were the three clubs tipped for premiership honours by our WAFLW media experts.
Mitch Woodcock – The West Australian
WAFLW premiers: Swan Districts
Dhara Kerr Medal winner: Isabella Shannon (Perth)
Joanne Huggins Trophy for WAFLW leading goal-kicker: Taylah Edwards (Swan Districts)
Lou Knitter Medal: Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
Best WAFLW recruit: Poppy Stockwell (Perth)
Breakout WAFLW player: Brooke Repacholi (East Fremantle)
Biggest WAFLW story line: Perth make finals in only their second season.
Trent Cooper – Channel 7
WAFLW premiers: Subiaco
Dhara Kerr Medal winner: Isabella Shannon (Perth)
Joanne Huggins Trophy for WAFLW leading goal-kicker: Summer Yarran (Swan Districts)
Lou Knitter Medal: Krstel Petrevski (Subiaco)
Best WAFLW recruit: Annabel Johnson (Subiaco)
Breakout WAFLW player: Ella Gilbey (Claremont)
Biggest WAFLW story line: Perth to make history with maiden finals berth in second season.
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Eliza Reilly – Code Sports
WAFLW premiers: Subiaco
Dhara Kerr Medal winner: Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
Joanne Huggins Trophy for WAFLW leading goal-kicker: Poppy Stockwell (Perth)
Lou Knitter Medal: Lisa Steane (Subiaco)
Best WAFLW recruit: Ash Gomes (South Fremantle)
Breakout WAFLW player: Cara Dziegielewski (West Perth)
Biggest WAFLW story line: Perth play finals in just their second WAFLW season.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Jacob Landsmeer – Sport FM
WAFLW premiers: Subiaco
Dhara Kerr Medal winner: Isabella Shannon (Perth)
Joanne Huggins Trophy for WAFLW leading goal-kicker: Zoe Huggett (West Perth)
Lou Knitter Medal: Krstel Petrevski (Subiaco)
Best WAFLW recruit: Ash Gomes (South Fremantle)
Breakout WAFLW player: Brooke Repacholi (East Fremantle)
Biggest WAFLW story line: Subiaco claw Tigers in changing of the guard in WAFLW
Jordan McArdle – WA Football
WAFLW premiers: Claremont
Dhara Kerr Medal winner: Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
Joanne Huggins Trophy for WAFLW leading goal-kicker: Kate Bartlett (Peel Thunder)
Lou Knitter Medal: Juliet Kelly (Claremont)
Best WAFLW recruit: Annabel Johnson (Subiaco)
Breakout WAFLW player: Mia Carlshausen (Perth)
Biggest WAFLW story line: Kia WAFLW State Team break drought against South Australia
Ethan Roth – 7Plus
WAFLW premiers Swan Districts
Dhara Kerr Medal winner: Isabella Shannon (Perth)
Joanne Huggins Trophy for WAFLW leading goal-kicker: Zoe Huggett (West Perth)
Lou Knitter Medal: Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
Best WAFLW recruit: Madi Evans (South Freo)
Breakout WAFLW player: Kayley King (Swan Districts)
Biggest WAFLW story line: Ash Gomes has last laugh against former side kicking winning goal in Round 1 Fremantle Derby
Paul Persic – 7Plus
WAFLW premiers: Subiaco
Dhara Kerr Medal winner: Krstel Petrevski (Subiaco)
Joanne Huggins Trophy for WAFLW leading goal-kicker: Emily McGuire (Swan Districts)
Lou Knitter Medal: Eliza Gelmi (Swan Districts)
Best WAFLW recruit: Evie Gooch (Perth)
Breakout WAFLW player: Summer Yarran (Swan Districts)
Biggest WAFLW story line: Tigers miss the finals and dynasty ends
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