Perth co-captain Charlie Constable has pledged his side will do their utmost to improve again next season after a ‘heartbreaking’ loss to East Perth condemned them to a straight sets exit from the finals.
Josh Kempton
Sam van Diemen has made himself the hero to send East Perth through to the preliminary final and Perth out of September in straight sets.
Ruckman Zac Harding credits getting out of the “footy bubble” in Melbourne for helping him become a better player as he looks to help Perth to the ultimate glory.
Mitchell Woodcock
Perth aren’t going to panic despite being in danger of a disappointing straight-sets exit from finals after a 17-point qualifying final defeat to Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.
For a second consecutive year, Claremont have proved too good for Perth on the big stage, booking a place against Peel Thunder in next weekend’s second semifinal.
Ahead of the first week of the WAFL finals, The West Australian’s Mitchell Woodcock goes in-depth on each team in contention for the 2026 premiership in an all-you-need-to-know preview.
Perth have made a bold call at the selection table for their crucial qualifying final against Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium, which coach Mark Stone has conceded comes with ‘some risk’. SEE THE TEAMS
A venue clash because of a West Coast AFLW home game could force both WAFL semifinals to be played next Saturday should Perth not beat Claremont in the qualifying final.
Perth will weigh up whether they take a punt on star Blake Schlensog or give the forward another run in the reserves as they look to get one step closer to a grand final with victory against Claremont.
South Fremantle’s hopes of claiming consecutive premierships have been dealt a massive blow with an ankle injury set to sideline key defender Noah Strom for the rest of the season.
Perth have survived a furious Swan Districts comeback to prevail by 19 points and ensure their WAFL finals hopes stay alive going into what promises to be a dramatic final day.
Ben Smith
Perth mature-age draft hopeful Kane Johnston admits the thought of giving away football to chase the big mining money he could make as a heavy duty diesel mechanic had crossed his mind more than once.
An injury-hit Claremont have turned to draft prospects Heath Mellody and George Gale to help them lock away a top three spot, handing the pair league debuts for their clash against Subiaco.
Peel Thunder have closed in on their first minor premiership in club history and extended their winning streak out to 12 games by beating Perth — and Sean Darcy played a huge part in their 15-point win.
West Coast has given next-generation academy prospect Garrison Kenh an audition to make their AFL list after he was named to play in their WAFL side against Subiaco on Saturday. SEE THE FULL TEAMS HERE
Subiaco star Stefan Giro says they have the belief they can beat any team in the competition as they look to return to the finals for the first time since 2023.
Subiaco pulled off a remarkable 26-point turnaround to retain fifth spot, overrunning a wasteful Perth to claim a win by the smallest of margins at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.
East Perth’s midfield injury woes have deepened with stars Tom North and Cooper Stephens to miss their must-win game against East Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday.
Perth coach Mark Stone says they will continue to work on their forward chemistry as they prepare for an assault on an elusive premiership this September.
Oscar Hine-Baston has become the King of Lathlain for a night after slotting the match-winning goal for Perth in a thrilling three-point win against a brave East Fremantle.
Fremantle Next Generation Academy prospect Josh Nathan will become the 14th league debutant for East Fremantle this year as the club continues to battle injury.
A clinical Perth picked up a vital win in their push to return to finals, putting an underwhelming and undermanned West Coast to the sword in a 62-point victory.
James Palumbo
West Coast’s hopes of ending a four-game losing streak to Mineral Resources Park co-tenants Perth have been hindered by the loss of a handful of AFL-listed players.
An undermanned East Perth have broken back into the top five after putting a powerhouse Perth to the sword with a 51-point victory at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.
