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Australian rules football in Western Australia
Western Derby West Coast vs Fremantle at Subiaco Oval in 2008
Governing bodyWest Australian Football Commission
Representative teamWestern Australia
First played1868, Perth
Registered players95,407 (2023)[1]
Clubs236 (28 competitions)[2]
Club competitions
Audience records
Single match61,118 (2021). 2021 AFL Grand Final. Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs. (Optus Stadium, Perth)

Australian rules football in Western Australia (WA) (known simply as "football") is the most popular sport in the state. It is governed by the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC).

Matches were played in the Colony of Western Australia from 1868, however rugby union there became more popular and Australian rules was not fully established until the 1880s when existing rugby clubs began to switch codes. Following the Federation of Australia, courtesy of pioneering junior and schools programs the sport grew faster there than any other state. For much of the 20th century the West Australian Football League (WAFL) was the third strongest state competition in the country. In 1967 the WAFL set a record season attendance of 960,169 and the 1981 WAFL Grand Final was attended by 55,517. Even with its current semi-professional status, it remains the third most popular competition in the world for the sport.

The state is home to two fully professional Australian Football League (AFL) clubs both owned by the WAFC: West Coast Eagles (1986) and Fremantle Football Club (1994), the former having the distinction of being the first non-Victorian team to compete in and win an AFL Grand Final in 1992. The two teams compete against each other in the Western Derby. The combined membership of the two clubs is more than 150,000, making Western Australia second only to Victoria in terms of support for the national club competition. Since 2020 West Coast has had the highest membership and fastest membership growth in the AFL and is the league's most profitable and equal highest revenue generating club. With the AFL's growth in popularity, Western Australia has been speculated as having the potential to sustain a third club.[3][4][5]

It is the most watched sport and has the third largest audience in the country. Its television viewership continues to grow strongly and its average AFL attendances are the second highest nationally.[6] Both the AFL and the WAFL attract a significant television audience. Since 1991 it has attracted an average AFL premiership season attendance of 34,462, third in the country. As at 2022 this average attendance sits at 45,921 the second highest, boosted with the 2018 completion of Perth Stadium the state's flagship venue. While the AFL has far surpassed it in popularity, the WAFL also attracts around 200,000 fans through the gates each year as well as a significant television audience.

Western Australia has the second highest number of Australian rules football participants of any state accounting for almost a fifth of players nationally. Participation continues to grow faster than any other state. It produces the second most professional players for the AFL, with more than 100 current players, though the majority play for clubs in other states.

The state team (known as the "Black Swans" or "Sandgropers") played Interstate matches against other Australian states and Territories between 1904 and 1998 and has defeated every state and territory. They were declared national men's champions in 1921, 1961 and 1979 and was the most successful state during the State of Origin era (1977–1999) with a total of 4 titles. Brian Peake has the most caps and was the longest serving captain of the State of Origin team. The underage men's team has competed between 1976 and the present and were champions in 1999, 2007 and 2019 and the underage women's competing since 2010 were champions in 2014. Western Australia has the second most national titles after Victoria across all divisions.

Three West Australians have been named Australian Football Hall of Fame legends: Graham 'Polly' Farmer, Barry Cable and Merv McIntosh. Lance Franklin holds the AFL games record and goals record for a Western Australian, with 354 and 1,066 respectively. Kiara Bowers is arguably the state's greatest female player being four time All-Australian and the first to win the AFL Women's best and fairest. Gemma Houghton has kicked the most goals, while Emma King has played the most games for born and raised West Australians in the AFL Women's competition.

History

Early Beginnings: 1868-1884

On 19 September 1868 a match was played under Australian rules at Bishop's Collegiate School in Perth between local civilians and the visiting 2nd Battalion of Fourteen Foot (Buckinghamshire) who were camped at Mount Eliza, with the honours going to the visiting British troops. It was the first recorded football match of any code in the colony. The Fourteenth Foot had previously played against the Melbourne Football Club in a Challenge Cup match in Melbourne in July of the previous year.[7] Further matches were played between the Western Australian Temperance and Recreation Society defeating the Town of Fremantle in three matches at Fremantle on 16 October.[7] Despite the matches not being played under British rules, the Fremantle Herald cited the English team's involvement as justification for the colony to adopt a British code and Australian football would not be played again for at least a decade.[7]

By 1876 British expatriates in Perth had formed the first (rugby) football clubs and introduced it into the schools in 1879 after which it became the most popular football code, with several clubs playing in organised competitions by 1880.[8]

It was mainly cricketers who agitated for the formation of more football clubs for Perth and Geraldton from 1880 to keep them fit in the off-season[9] however rugby was still seen as the default choice.[10]

Despite this the first Australian rules club, Unions Football Club formed by former Victorians, emerged in Perth between 1881 and 1882.[11] At the time there were already 3 rugby clubs in Perth and the code was still growing rapidly in the colony, though details of the Unions club's activity in this early period are scant.[12] On 30 March 1883, N. A. ("Bill") Bateman and H. Herbert formed a second Australian rules club, The Swans Football Club in Fremantle, commencing a long inter-city football rivalry.[8]

Perth clubs switch from rugby: 1885

By the mid-1880s the Western Australian media reported a growing dissatisfaction with rugby as a spectacle, particularly its emphasis on playing the body over playing the ball.[13]

In 1885 one of the leading rugby clubs, Fremantle, after a meeting at the Cleopatra Hotel, decided to change to Australian Rules.[8] It was quickly joined by three other clubs - Template:WAFL Rov, Victorians, and a team of schoolboys from The High School.[citation needed] The schoolboy side lasted just two matches, but the three other sides went on to contest what in retrospect was viewed as the first ever official Western Australian Football Association (WAFA) premiership, won by Rovers.[citation needed]

However, in those days many young men of Perth's wealthier families were educated in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. On returning home from there they naturally wished to play the sport they'd grown up with and no doubt exerted some influence on their less affluent peers as to such.[citation needed]

Football spreads to the goldfields 1886-1890s

Bonnie Vale Football Club in 1896, one of dozens of clubs which sprang up during the West Australian gold rushes

From 1886 Western Australia was swept up by discoveries of gold, firstly in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Murchison regions, led to a dramatic increase in WA's population, including many players and supporters of Australian Rules from the eastern colonies.

Progress of Australian Rules in Western Australia still lagged behind the big football cities of Melbourne, Adelaide and Geelong however and is evidenced by the unstable nature of the clubs that participated in the early years.

In 1886 a new Fremantle based club Union joined. Unions would later rename themselves Fremantle as those involved in the game saw the need to identify themselves with the region they were located in.

In 1887 Fremantle left the WAFA and the West Australian Football Club joined but they would only play two seasons before they disappeared.

Australian rules booms: 1890s

Fremantle Football Club WA premiers 1893
Football at Fremantle Oval circa 1895
East Fremantle WAFL premiers 1903
Football match Fremantle Oval 1910

1891 saw two new clubs arrive, Centrals and East Perth, but they would be gone after one and two seasons respectively.

The Western Australian gold rushes began in the 1880s but accelerated in 1892 with major gold discoveries at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. Coupled with a major international economic depression, caused increased immigration from the eastern colonies. These migrants included a large number of footballers including some celebrated players, and the Goldfields competition (later known as the Goldfields Football League) which began in 1896 was comparable in status and standard to the Perth competition for many years. (This was shown by the fact that it had a separate seat on the Australian National Football Council until 1919.) The higher standard of play that naturally followed, helped to increase the game's popularity and increased the professionalism of the WAFA.

1899 would be the last season Fremantle would take part in the WAFA. Despite Unions/Fremantle being the most dominant club in the WAFA up to this point winning the competition 10 times in its 13 years of existence, problems with debt saw the club disappear and some people involved with the old entity formed South Fremantle Football Club in its place. Despite the fact that many involved with Fremantle moved onto South Fremantle the new club is not seen as a continuation of the old and did not lay claim to its proud records to that date.

1899 was also the last time Rovers would take part. The move to regionalisation which saw Unions take on the old Fremantle's name and colours made it difficult for this club that didn't represent a particular area to attract players. They folded and were immediately replaced by Perth Football Club who were promoted from the Perth First Rate Association.

By 1901, the WAFA had grown to have six teams. Up to this point, five sides at most had been in the competition, and this number had invariably changed from year to year, as clubs came and went. And by 1906 there were eight teams — being West Perth, East Perth, East Fremantle, South Fremantle, North Fremantle, Subiaco, Perth and Midland Junction.

In 1908 the WAFA was renamed the West Australian Football League (WAFL). West Australia sent a team to the 1908 Melbourne Carnival, over half of the team was from the goldfields league.[8] Its success at the tournament including its defeat of South Australia and appearance in the final against Victoria captured the West Australian public and ushered in an era of immense growth for the code.[8]

World War I and the WAFL's Youth Policy

The Young Australia Football League competing against the US in 1911.

Jack Simons (WAFL secretary between 1905 and 1914) believed that the future of the code was its introduction to schools. Senior player numbers were already beginning to wane and junior teams were suffering catastrophic loss of numbers. Simons believed the league could not continue without a younger generation. Simons was concerned with encroachment of soccer, rugby and other "non-Australian" sports was threatening the game at grassroots level. Along with several prominent Western Australians including Lionel Boas, Simons formed the Young Australia Football League in 1905 as a development organisation.[14][15] Confident that Australian Football offered the greatest game in the world, his work included overseas tours and invitational teams. These initiatives would lead to the game's establishment in the schools and provide a boom in junior player numbers which would see competition continue through the war and a generation of new players introduced to the game.

Unlike many other sporting competitions, the WAFL didn't go into recess during World War I, although two teams — North Fremantle and Midland Junction — were "casualties" of the war, competing for the last time in 1915 and 1917 respectively.

Between the Wars

Western Australia defeated South Australia at the 1921 Perth Carnival in front of 26,461 at the Perth Oval to win its first national title
Claremont vs West Perth at Leederville Oval in 1930

In 1921, Western Australia hosted the first national carnival, known as the 1921 Perth Carnival it went on to win all of its matches to take the title from Victoria. In 1921, the WAFL introduced the Sandover Medal, for the fairest and best player over a season, as voted by the field umpires. The medal has been awarded annually ever since.

Claremont entered the league in 1926, bringing the number of teams back to seven.

In 1932, the WAFL was renamed the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL) - the "national" concept in the name being adopted by the SANFL and a couple of other leagues a few years earlier.[16]

Swan Districts entered the league in 1934. The eight competing sides still remain today and are generally referred to as the "traditional eight clubs".

Despite WA's poineering efforts in junior development early in the century, by the 1930s the game had all but disappeared from the public school system and a lack of juniors was beginning to hurt the senior leagues, in response the WAFL re-commenced a junior development program.[8]

Because of World War Two, the league only ran an "under age" competition between 1942 and 1944. However, the three premierships won during this time are given equal status to any other, in official records. All clubs competed, with the exception of Swan Districts who could not form a team in 1942, although they were back in 1943.

Statue by Robert Hitchcock outside the gates Fremantle Oval of the famous "specky" by South Fremantle Football Club's John Gerovich over East Fremantle Football Club's Ray French at the 1956 WANFL preliminary final.

Post-war period

A young Polly Farmer flies high over Jack Clarke of East Fremantle in 1954

The 1960s saw crowds get bigger and bigger, as WAFL football captured the hearts and minds of the WA public like never before, and in the 1970s and early 80s it was easily the biggest show in town.

However, during this period more and more star WAFL players were looking to head to the Victorian Football League (VFL), enticed by the bigger money and the fact that it was more and more gaining a reputation as the "big" league.

This is perhaps best evidenced in that Victoria (i.e. the VFL representative team) had by far the best record in interstate games for a long time. But in 1977, when the first proper State of Origin match was played, it saw Western Australia inflict its biggest defeat on a Victorian team.

In 1980, the WANFL dropped the "N" and the "ern" and reverted to being called the WAFL.

At this time crowds were as big as they ever were. Soon afterwards, however, interest in the WAFL began a slow decline, as it became increasingly obvious that even larger numbers of the WAFL's best players were going to head east.

Entering the National Competition

By 1987, the WAFL had decided that the future of the game in WA depended on it entering a team in the VFL. The West Coast Eagles were formed and entered the VFL (the VFL was renamed the AFL in 1990). With many of Western Australia's best players now competing in a team that represented Western Australia on a national scale, it was suddenly apparent that the WAFL was now a second-class competition.

In 1990 the state league was renamed the Western Australian State Football League, but it had reverted to WAFL by 1991.

In 1992, the West Coast Eagles made history by becoming the first interstate club to win an AFL premiership. The win resulted in a huge boost to the side's popularity, put pressure on Subiaco Oval to expand and ultimately led to demand for a second AFL licence for the state.

Another locally based AFL team, the Fremantle FC were formed in 1995.

The popularity of the AFL with 2 sides, particularly with the Western Derby, cemented the position of WAFL as a second-class competition. WAFL clubs have struggled ever since with their sudden demise from being technically equal to any VFL club, to feeder club status. However, they have enjoyed some benefits, such as the funds flowing from the WA-based AFL teams and the influx of talented players from other states, attempting to make a name for themselves.

In 1997, Peel Thunder — somewhat controversially — became the ninth WAFL club. Throughout their brief history, they have struggled to compete with the traditional eight clubs, which are generally opposed to their presence. This is partly because having an odd number of teams forces one team to have a bye each week.

Also in 1997, the WAFL was renamed Westar Rules, in a failed attempt to revamp the league's image. However the name again reverted to WAFL in 2001.

Recent years have seen the WAFL stabilise itself as a league a step down from the AFL. Obviously the sudden player drain brought on by the expansion of the VFL into the AFL has lessened the standard of play, however this has recovered somewhat, with "veteran" AFL players returning and new players coming through.

Recent History

  • AFL West Coast playing Sydney in Perth in 2006
    AFL West Coast playing Sydney in Perth in 2006
  • Shaun McManus' farewell game in Round 18 2008 Western Derby Fremantle home game
    Shaun McManus' farewell game in Round 18 2008 Western Derby Fremantle home game
  • West Coast vs Collingwood at Subiaco Oval in 2014
    West Coast vs Collingwood at Subiaco Oval in 2014
  • 2021 AFL Grand Final at Perth Stadium
    2021 AFL Grand Final at Perth Stadium

Western Australia was the first state to trial the derivative social game of Rec Footy in 2003.

Involvement and attendance in Australian Rules reached record levels in Western Australia 2004. The total attendance, including AFL games was a record 1,030,000. The 2005 WAFL grand final between South Fremantle and Claremont attracted 22,570 to Subiaco Oval.

In 2006, the combined membership of Fremantle and West Coast AFL clubs was a record 79,804 members. [1]

Participation

In 2022 there were 102,213 registered adult players, marginally less than play soccer in the state.[17] This has grown from a 2007 base of around 12,050 senior players and a total participation of 91,009.[18] With a participation rate of around 4.2% per capita, Western Australia is the third most supported state (behind Victoria and South Australia).[17]

Category 2016 2019 2022
Adult Male 68,733 72,327 87,321
Adult Female 10,871 15,941 14,892
Total 79,604 88,268 102,213

Audience

Attendance Record

Major Australian Rules Events in Western Australia

Representative teams

Main article: Interstate matches in Australian rules football
"Sandgropers" 1995 State of Origin guernsey.

The Western Australian Australian football team is nicknamed alternatively the "Sandgropers" or the "Black Swans" and have played representative matches, either as State of Origin or as a state team representing the WAFL against all other Australian states.

Governing Body

The governing body for Australian rules football in WA is the West Australian Football Commission.

Leagues & clubs

Main article: List of Australian rules football clubs in Western Australia

Professional clubs

Open

Perth metropolitan leagues

Regional leagues

Women's

Masters

Principal Venues

The following venues meet AFL Standard criteria and have been used to host AFL (National Standard) or AFLW level matches (Regional Standard) are listed by capacity.[19]

Perth Perth Fremantle
Perth Stadium Bassendean Oval East Fremantle Oval
Capacity: 60,000 Capacity: 22,000 Capacity: 20,000
Perth Stadium Bassendean Oval East Fremantle Oval
Fremantle Perth Geraldton
Fremantle Oval Arena Joondalup Wonthella Oval
Capacity: 17,500 Capacity: 16,000 Capacity: 12,000
Fremantle Oval Arena Joondalup
Perth Mandurah Perth
Leederville Oval Rushton Park Lathlain Park
Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 6,500
Bunbury
Hands Oval
Capacity: 5,000

Historic Venues

Modern AFL Standard Venues

Players

Greats

Lance Franklin played more AFL games and kicked more AFL goals than any other Western Australian footballer.

Graham 'Polly' Farmer was the first West Australian to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame as a legend. He was also named as the ruckman in the AFL Team of the Century. Barry Cable (2012) and Merv McIntosh (2021) have also been elevated to legend status.

Other great players from WA to have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame are Jack Clarke, George Doig, Ross Glendinning, Denis Marshall, Merv McIntosh, Stephen Michael, George Moloney, Graham Moss, Wayne Richardson, Jack Sheedy, William 'Nipper' Truscott and Bill Walker.

West Australians in the West Australian Hall of Fame Legends but not in the above (most likely due to limited involvement in the VFL) include: John Gerovich, Johnny Leonard, Phil Matson, Stan Heal, Steve Marsh and John Todd.[20]

Retired modern VFL/AFL greats include Brad Hardie, Nicky Winmar, Jim and Phil Krakouer, Mark Bairstow, Glen Jakovich, Guy McKenna, Dean Kemp, Peter Matera, Shane Woewodin, Ben Cousins, Simon Black, Patrick Ryder, Peter Bell, Jeff Farmer, Aaron Sandilands, Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Lance Franklin and Nic Naitanui.

Men's

Current Players

AFL players from Western Australia

Currently on an AFL senior list
Player WA junior/senior club/s Representative honours AFL Draft Selection AFL Years AFL Club/s AFL Games AFL (Goals) Connections to Western Australia, Notes & References
Robert Hansen Jr Mines Rovers, Trinity College, Template:WAFL Sub 2023 Rookie (mid-season) #2 2023- North Melbourne 1 - Raised in Kalgoorlie
Taj Woewodin Booragoon, Aquinas College, Template:WAFL EF 2021 #65 (Father son) 2023- Melbourne 2 1 Raised in Perth
Jack Buller Template:WAFL Cla U18 (2019) 2023 Mid season (#13) 2023- Sydney 1 - Raised in Perth
Corey Warner Willetton, Aquinas College, Template:WAFL EF U19 (?) 2021 #40 2023- Sydney 1 - Raised in Perth
Reuben Ginbey Dunsborough, Template:WAFL EP U18 (2022) 2022 #9 2023- West Coast 3 - Raised in Dunsborough
Brynn Teakle Northampton, Template:WAFL EF 2022 Mid season rookie (#8) 2023- Port Adelaide 2 - Raised in Northampton
Jack Williams Rossmoyne, Template:WAFL EF 2021 #57 2022- West Coast 9 4 Raised in Perth
Brady Hough Harvey, Template:WAFL PT 2021 #31 2022- West Coast 29 - Raised in Perth
Angus Sheldrick Mosman Park, Christ Church Grammar School, Template:WAFL Cla 2021 #18 2022- Sydney 9 3 Raised in Perth
Nic Martin Template:WAFL Sub Rookie 2022- Essendon 23 20 Raised in Perth
Callum Jamieson North Beach Junior, Template:WAFL Cla U18 (2019) 2019 #29 2022- West Coast 10 0 Raised in Trigg (Perth)
Jye Amiss Template:WAFL EP 2021 #8 2022- Fremantle 7 10 Born and raised in Busselton
Greg Clark Template:WAFL Sub U18 (2015 c) 2021 #62 2022- West Coast 6 1 Raised in Perth
Neil Erasmus Template:WAFL Sub 2021 #10 2022- Fremantle 5 1 Raised in Perth
Judd McVee Geraldton Senior High School, Template:WAFL EF 2022 (rookie) Rookie (#18) 2022- West Coast 16 0 Raised in Geraldton
Jacob van Rooyen Template:WAFL Cla 2021 #19 2022- Melbourne 2 5 Raised in Perth
Jaxon Prior Sorrento-Duncraig JFC, Template:WAFL WP 2019 #59 2021- Brisbane Lions 33 11 Raised in Perth
Heath Chapman Joondalup Kinross Junior, Template:WAFL WP 2020 #14 2021- West Coast 26 1 Raised in Joondalup
Logan McDonald Applecross Mount Pleasant Junior, Template:WAFL Per U18 (2019) 2020 #4 2021- Sydney 25 26 Born in Bunbury, raised in Perth
Denver Grainger-Barras Kalamunda, Swan Districts 2020 #6 2021- Hawthorn 23 0 Raised in Perth
Brandon Walker East Fremantle 2020 #50 2021- Fremantle 20 1 Raised in Perth
Connor West West Perth U18 (2017) 2021 (mid season rookie) Rookie (#23) 2021- West Coast 20 1 Raised in Perth
Tyler Brockman Wembley Downs Junior, Subiaco Colts 2020 #46 2021- Hawthorn 15 16 Raised in Northam
Nathan O'Driscoll Perth 2020 #27 2021- Fremantle 14 10 Raised in Northam
Isiah Winder Template:WAFL PT 2020 #57 2021- West Coast 7 5 Raised in Perth
Zane Trew Hills Rangers Junior, Template:WAFL SD U16 (2018) 2021 (Rookie) Rookie (#12) 2021- West Coast 3 1 Raised in Perth
Deven Robertson Manning, Aquinas College, Perth U18 (2019 c) 2019 #22 2020- Brisbane Lions 25 7 Raised in Northam
Luke Jackson East Fremantle 2019 #3 2020- Melbourne, Fremantle 57 35 Born and raised in Fremantle
Trent Rivers East Fremantle U18 (2018, 2019) 2019 #32 2020- Melbourne 58 5 Raised in Perth
Chad Warner Willetton Junior, Template:WAFL EF 2019 #39 2020- Sydney 45 31 Born in Willetton
Liam Henry Claremont, Christ Church Grammar School 2019 #9 2020- Fremantle 31 13 Born in Tammin, raised in Fitzroy Crossing (Walmadjari)
Jeremy Sharp Attadale, East Fremantle U18 (2018, 2019) 2019 #27 2020- Gold Coast 20 7 Born in Fremantle, raised in Attadale (Perth)
Jy Farrar - U18 (2018, 2019) 2019 #60 2020- Gold Coast 11 1 Born and raised in Halls Creek (Bunuba, Jaru and Kija)
Trey Ruscoe East Fremantle 2019 #55 2020- Collingwood 17 7 Raised in Perth
Mitch Georgiades Hale School, Subiaco 2019 #18 2020- Port Adelaide 49 65 Raised in Perth
Riley Garcia Caversham Suns Junior, Template:WAFL SD U18 (2018) 2019 #62 2020- Western Bulldogs 5 2 Raised in Perth
Marlion Pickett Puma Panthers, Manjimup Tigers, Nollamora Junior, Koongamia, York Roos, South Fremantle 2019 (mid season rookie) Rookie (#13) 2019- Richmond 61 15 Raised in Manjimup and Perth
Jordan Clark Railways, Claremont U18 (2018) 2018 #15 2019- Geelong, Fremantle 54 18 Raised in Albany, Western Australia
Bobby Hill Perth U18 (2017, 2018) 2018 #24 2019- Greater Western Sydney, Collingwood 45 41 Born and raised in Northam. Noongar (Whadjuk-Ballardong)
Jarrod Cameron Newman Central, Aquinas, Swan Districts 2013 Next Generation Academy 2019-2021 West Coast 12 13 Raised in Newman
Jason Carter Port Wyndham, Claremont 2018 Next Generation Academy 2019-2020 Fremantle 2 0 Born and raised in Wyndham
Matthew Parker South Fremantle 2021 2018 #47 2019- St Kilda, Richmond 30 23 Raised in Perth
Shane McAdam Claremont 2018 Pre-draft (mature) 2019- Adelaide 28 37 Raised in Halls Creek
Harry Edwards Mazenod Junior, Template:WAFL SD 2018 #18 2019- West Coast 28 0 Raised in Perth
Luke Foley Sorrento-Duncraig Junior, Template:WAFL Sub 2018 #31 2019- West Coast 22 2 Raised in Perth
Aaron Naughton Rockingham, Peel Thunder U18 (2017) 2018 (Rookie) #9 2018- Western Bulldogs 101 148 Raised in Rockingham
Liam Baker Lake Grace-Pingrup, West Perth, Subiaco U18 (2016) 2018 (Rookie) Rookie (#18) 2018- Richmond 90 29 Raised in Pingaring
Liam Ryan Rovers, Subiaco 2017 #26 2018- West Coast 88 123 Raised in Geraldton (Wajarri)
Bailey Banfield Claremont 2018 (Rookie) Rookie (#5) 2018- Fremantle 65 35 Born and raised in Broome
Tim Kelly Palmyra, South Fremantle 2017 #76 2018- Geelong, West Coast 84 33 Raised in Goomalling and Perth. Noongar (Yamatji)
Matt Guelfi Claremont U18 (2016) 2017 #76 2018- Essendon 84 33 Raised in Perth
Sam Taylor Swan Districts U18 (2016) 2017 #28 2018- Greater Western Sydney 75 1 Raised in Bullsbrook and Attadale (Perth)
Brandon Starcevich Mt Lawley-Inglewood Junior, Trinity College, East Perth U18 (2017) 2017 #18 2018- Brisbane Lions 71 5 Raised in Perth
Wil Powell Claremont 2018 (Rookie) #19 2018- Gold Coast 69 13 Raised in Perth (Scarborough)
Oscar Allen Whitford Junior, West Parth U18 (2017 c) 2017 #21 2018- West Coast 63 76 Born and raised in Perth
Ben Miller Railways, Subiaco U18 (2016, 2017) 2017 #63 2018- Richmond 13 3 Raised in Kalgoorlie
Zac Langdon Dampier, Claremont 2017 #56 2018-2022 Greater Western Sydney, West Coast 13 3 Born and raised in Karratha
Sam Petrevski-Seton Halls Creek, Claremont U16, U18 (2015) 2016 #6 2017- Carlton, West Coast 111 22 Raised in Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek
Shai Bolton South Fremantle U18 (2016) 2016 #29 2017- Richmond 93 103 Born in Katanning, raised in Forrestdale (Perth) and Mandurah. Noongar (Mineng, Wiilman)
Sam Powell-Pepper East Perth 2016 #18 2017- Port Adelaide 93 51 Born in Western Australia, raised in Perth
Cameron Zurhaar Template:WAFL EF, Wesley College 2017 #11 2017- North Melbourne 84 115 Raised in Perth
Griffin Logue Template:WAFL SD 2016 #8 2017- Fremantle, North Melbourne 67 9 Raised in Perth
Darcy Cameron North Albany, Claremont 2016 #48 2017- Sydney, Collingwood 56 46 Raised in Albany, Western Australia
Tim English South Fremantle 2016 #19 2017- Western Bulldogs 77 41 Born and raised in Dunsborough
Zac Fisher York, Perth U18 (2016) 2016 #27 2017- Carlton 95 49 Born and raised in York
Jake Waterman Marist, Claremont U18 (2016) 2016 #77 (Father son) 2017- West Coast 75 73 Born and raised in Perth
Josh Rotham Template:WAFL WP 2016 #37 2017- West Coast 44 2 Raised in Perth
Quinton Narkle Template:WAFL Per, Wesley College 2016 #60 2017- Geelong, Port Adelaide 42 20 Raised in Perth (Whadjuk, Ballardong)
Cedric Cox Halls Creek 2016 #24 2017-2020 Brisbane Lions 13 3 Raised in Halls Creek
Daniel Rioli - 2015 #15 2016- Richmond 140 99 Born Fremantle
Sam Menegola East Fremantle 2011 (Rookie) Rookie (#11) 2016- Geelong 116 81 Born and raised in Perth
Callum Ah Chee South Fremantle 2015 #8 2016- Gold Coast, Brisbane Lions 105 42 Born in Derby raised in Perth
Nathan Broad Chittering Broncos Junior, Upper Swan Junior, Swan Districts 2015 #27 2016- Richmond 109 2 Born and raised in Wubin
Marcus Adams West Perth 2015 #35 2016-2023 Western Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions 73 5 Raised in Perth
Mitch McGovern North Albany, Claremont 2014 #43 2016- Adelaide, Carlton 92 104 Raised in Albany
Tom Barrass Scarborough Junior, Claremont U18 (2013) 2013 #43 2015- West Coast 115 1 Raised in Perth
Joel Hamling Cable Beach, Claremont 2011 #31 2015- Western Bulldogs, Fremantle 87 0 Born in Denmark, Western Australia, raised in Broome
Connor Blakely Bunbury, Swan Districts U18 (2014) 2014 #34 2015- Fremantle, Carlton 78 3 Raised in Bunbury
Ethan Hughes Harvey Brunswick Leschenault, Swan Districts 2015 (Rookie) Rookie (#15) 2015- Fremantle 75 4 Raised in Bunbury
Billy Frampton East Fremantle, South Fremantle 2014 #84 2015- Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Collingwood 27 12 Raised in Perth
Charlie Cameron Swan Districts 2013 (Rookie) Rookie (#7) 2014- Adelaide, Brisbane Lions 182 321 Raised in Newman
Angus Brayshaw - 2014 #3 2014- Melbourne 146 47 Born in Western Australia
Patrick Cripps Northhampton, East Fremantle U18 (2013 vc) 2013 #13 2014- Carlton 162 87 Born and raised in Perth
Dom Sheed Mines Rovers, Subiaco U18 (2013 c) 2013 #11 2014- West Coast 145 65 Born and raised in Kalgoorlie
Rory Lobb Template:WAFL SD 2013 #29 2014- Greater Western Sydney, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs 143 146 Born and raised in Perth
Jack Martin Towns, Claremont 2011 (mini-draft) #1 2014- Gold Coast, Carlton 136 113 Born in Broome, raised in Broome and Geraldton
Blake Acres Edgewater Woodvale, West Perth, Wanneroo 2013 #19 2014- St Kilda, Fremantle, Carlton 121 37 Raised in Perth (Joondalup)
Jesse Hogan Marist Junior, Claremont U18 (2012) 2012 (mini-draft) #2 2014- Melbourne, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney 117 225 Born and raised in Perth (Scarborough)
Kamdyn McIntosh Pinjarra, Peel U16 (2010), U18 (2012) 2012 #13 2013- Richmond 149 42 Born and raised in Pinjarra
Jaeger O'Meara Dongara Junior, Railways, Perth U18 (2011) 2011 (mini-draft) #1 2013- Gold Coast, Hawthorn, Fremantle 146 72 Born in Perth and raised in Dongara
Bradley Hill Quinns Junior, West Perth U18 (2011 c) 2011 #33 2012- Hawthorn, Fremantle, St Kilda 215 93 Raised in Perth (Joondalup)
Stephen Coniglio Upper Swan Junior, Swan Districts U18 (2011 c) 2011 #3 2012- Greater Western Sydney 177 101 Born and raised in Perth (Joondalup)
Elliot Yeo Booragoon Junior, East Fremantle U18 (2011) 2011 #30 2012- Brisbane Lions, West Coast 183 73 Born and raised in Perth
Jason Johannisen East Fremantle 2011 #39 2012- Western Bulldogs 177 71 Raised in Perth
Jamie Elliot - Pre-list (2011 GWS) 2012- Western Bulldogs 159 231 Raised in Dongara
Nathan Wilson Mandurah Centrals, Peel 2011 Underage selection 2012- Greater Western Sydney, Fremantle 149 18 Raised in Mandurah
Jack Darling Sorrento-Duncraig, West Perth U18 (2009) 2010 #26 2011- West Coast 259 486 Raised in Perth
Jamie Cripps Northampton, East Fremantle U18 (2010) 2010 #24 2011- St Kilda, West Coast 218 272 Born in Perth, raised in Northampton
David Swallow Rossmoyne Junior U18 (2009) 2010 #1 2011- Gold Coast 197 86 Born and raised in Perth
Jeremy McGovern North Albany, Claremont 2011 (Rookie) Rookie (#44) 2011- West Coast 163 37 Born in Western Australia, raised in Warburton, Kalgoorlie and Albany
Mitch Duncan Trinity College, East Perth U16 (2007 c), U18 (2008, 2009 vc) 2009 #28 2010- Geelong 258 176 Born and raised in Perth
Travis Colyer Trinity College, Claremont U18 (2009) 2009 #26 2010- Essendon, Fremantle 146 86 Raised in Perth
Nat Fyfe Claremont U18 (2019) 2009 #20 2010- Fremantle 210 170 Born and raised in Lake Grace
Brad Sheppard East Fremantle U18 (2008, 2009) 2009 #7 2010-2021 West Coast 216 19 Born and raised in Perth
Nic Naitanui Midvale Junior, Governor Stirling Senior HS, Swan Districts U18 (2007, 2008) 2008 #2 2009- West Coast 213 112 Raised in Perth (Midvale)
Michael Walters Swan Districts U18 (2008) 2008 #53 2009- Fremantle 203 219 Raised in Perth. Noongar
Daniel Rich Sorrento-Duncraig, Subiaco U18 (2007, 2008) 2008 #7 2009-2023 Brisbane Lions 270 115 Born and raised in Perth
Matt Priddis Sorrento-Duncraig, Subiaco U16 (2004), U18 (2005) 2006 (Rookie) Rookie (#13) 2006-2017 West Coast 240 73 Raised in Manjimup
Lance Franklin Perth U18 (2014) 2004 #5 2005- Hawthorn, Sydney 354 1066 Born in Perth, raised in Dowerin and Perth. Noongar (Whadjuk)

Women's

Fremantle was the first professional women's team in the state in 2017, therefore the majority of the professional players have played there, the West Coast women's team was not awarded a license until 2020. Due to the large distance to the eastern states, most West Australian female players are drafted to one of these two teams.

Current Players

AFLW players from Western Australia

Currently on an AFLW senior list
Player WA junior/senior club/s Representative honours AFLW Draft year Selection AFLW Years AFLW Clubs AFLW Games AFLW (Goals) Connections to Western Australia, Notes & References
Lauren Wakfer South Fremantle, Template:AFLW WC 2023- Template:AFLW WC 1 - Raised in Rockingham
Emily Elkington Claremont, Template:AFLW WC 2023- Template:AFLW WC 1 - Raised in Perth
Ariana Hetherington Peel, South Fremantle, Template:AFLW Fre 2023- Template:AFLW Fre 1 - Raised in Perth
Ella Roberts Peel, West Coast Eagles U18 (2021) 2022 #14 2022 (S7)- 10 2 Raised in Perth
Courtney Rowley Mandurah, Peel Thunder 2022- 15 1 Raised in Mandurah
Emily Bennett West Perth, Claremont, West Coast Eagles U18 (2019, 2021) 2022- 9 - Raised in Perth
Beth Schilling Marist, Carey Park, Peel Thunder, Subiaco, West Coast Eagles U18 (2021) 2022- 5 - Raised in Bunbury
Maggie MacLachlan Whitford, Subiaco, Fremantle 2022- 4 1 Raised in Perth
Jessica Low Claremont, Fremantle 2021 #52 2022- 21 - Raised in Perth
Charlie Thomas Subiaco 2020 #3 2022- 20 0 Raised in Perth
Sarah Lakay Swan Districts 2020 #40 2022- 18 0 Raised in Perth
Amy Franklin Claremont 2020 #14 2022- 12 6 Raised in Perth
Dana East Swan Districts 2021 #31 2022- 7 6 Raised in Manjimup
Mikayla Morrison Swan Districts 2020 #30 2022- 4 3 Raised in Perth
Makaela Tuhakaraina South Fremantle U18 (2021) 2021 #38 2021- 9 2 Raised in Perth
Courtney Hodder Peel U18 (2016, 2017) 2020 Rookie 2021- 36 27 Raised in Perth (Noongar)
Sarah Verrier Peel 2020 #14 2021- 32 1 Raised in Perth
Mikayla Hyde Swan Districts 2020 Replacement 2021- 23 8 Raised in Perth
Isabella Lewis Claremont U18 (2019) 2020 #3 2021- 19 1 Raised in Perth
Shanae Davison Norada Hawks, Swan Districts 2020 #3 2021- 9 0 Born and raised in Perth and Broome
Demi Liddle Busselton, Peel 2020 Injury replacement 2021 4 0 Raised in Busselton
Mikayla Bowen Helena's College, Swan Districts U18 (2017, 2018, 2019) 2019 Expansion signing 2020- 36 8 Raised in Perth (Darlington)
Mim Strom Perth U18 (2019) 2019 #21 2020- 29 0 Raised in Exmouth
Sophie McDonald Claremont U18 (2017, 2018) 2019 #39 2020- 26 0 Raised in Albany
Roxanne Roux East Fremantle U18 (2019) 2019 #12 2020- 24 14 Raised in Dongara and Perth
Janelle Cuthbertson Perth 2019 #81 2020- 24 0 Raised in Perth
Emma O'Driscoll Swan Districts 2019 #51 2020- 25 1 Raised in Northam
Kate Orme Claremont 2019 #70 2020- 7 1 Raised in Perth
Imahra Cameron Kelmscott, South Fremantle, Perth, Swan Districts 2019 #19 2020-2022 (S7) 23 10 Raised in Perth (Noongar)
Bianca Webb Swan Districts 2019 #85 2020-2022 (S7) 19 4 Raised in Perth
Ashton Hill Mater Dei College, Joondalup Falcons, West Perth, East Fremantle 2019 Prelist 2020-2022 9 0 Raised in Perth (Joondalup)
Tarnee Tester Subiaco 2019 #56 2020-2021 4 1 Recruited from Perth
Ann McMahon East Fremantle 2019 #35 2020-2022 6 1 Raised in Perth
Emily Bonser Claremont 2019 Prelist 2020 3 0 Raised in Perth
Sarah Garstone Claremont 2019 #66 2020 1 0 Raised in Perth
Kate Bartlett Safety Bay Stingers, Kolbe College, Peel U18 (2016) 2018 #26 2019- 1 0 Raised in Rockingham
Matilda Sergeant Claremont U18 (2018) 2018 #64 2019-S7 19 0 Raised in Perth
Jasmin Stewart Claremont U18 (2016) 2018 #4 2019-2022 22 6 Born in Northam raised in Kambalda and the Pilbara
Courtney Guard Subiaco 2018 #39 2019-2022 22 0 Raised in Perth
Sabreena McKinnon Peel U18 (2016, 2017, 2018) 2018 #17 2019-S7 29 34 Raised in Perth
Laura Pugh West Perth 2018 #59 2019- 33 1 Raised in Perth
Philipa Seth East Fremantle 2018 #28 2019- 32 1 Raised in Perth
McKenzie Dowrick Subiaco U18 (2017, 2018) 2018 #3 2019- 16 5 Raised in Perth
Parris Laurie Claremont 2018 #50 2019-2022 33 1 Born and raised in Denmark
Brianna Moyes South Mandurah, Peel Thunder 2018 Rookie signing 2019 1 0 Raised in Perth
Evangeline Gooch East Fremantle 2017 #10 2018- 32 2 Raised in Perth
Jade de Melo East Fremantle 2017 Rookie (#10) 2018- 9 4 Raised in Perth
Ashlee Atkins East Fremantle 2017 #26 2018-2022 (S7) 41 10 Raised in Perth
Katie-Jayne Grieve South Bunbury 2017 Rookie (#12) 2018-2021 16 3 Raised in Bunbury
Leah Mascall East Fremantle 2017 #44 2018-2021 19 0 Raised in Perth
Emily McGuire Swan Districts 2017 #33 2018-2020 6 2 Raised in Perth (Noongar)
Tayla McAuliffe Swan Districts 2017 #19 2018-2019 3 0 Raised in Perth
Lisa Webb Coastal Titans 2017 Rookie (#2) 2018 6 2 Raised in Perth
Jodie White Coastal Titans 2017 #18 2018 4 0 Raised in Perth
Emma King Coastal Titans 2016 Marquee 2017- 61 31 Raised in Perth
Hayley Miller Coastal Titans 2016 #4 2017- 60 17 Born and raised in Perth
Sabrina Frederick Peel, South Fremantle 2016 Marquee 2017- 59 26 Raised in Pinjarra
Gemma Houghton Swan Districts 2016 Free agent 2017- 56 44 Born in Western Australia, raised in Perth
Stephanie Cain Swan Districts 2016 #109 2017- 54 5 Raised in Perth
Ruby Schleicher East Fremantle 2016 #137 2017- 51 3 Raised in Perth
Belinda Smith East Fremantle 2016 #100 2017- 50 0 Born and raised in Lake Grace
Ebony Antonio Swan Districts 2016 Priority 2017- 49 24 Raised in Perth
Gabby O'Sullivan East Fremantle 2016 Preselection 2017- 49 17 Raised in Perth
Chelsea Randall Safety Bay Stingers, Swan Districts U18 2016 Marquee 2017- 48 18 Raised in Rockingham
Aimee Schmidt Coastal Titans 2016 #17 2017- 42 22 Raised in Perth
Rebecca Beeson Swan Districts 2016 #32 2017- 41 7 Raised in Perth
Angelique Stannett - 2018 Rookie 2017- 37 0 Raised in Perth
Dana Hooker Coastal Titans 2016 #130 2017- 48 10 Raised in Perth
Kara Antonio Swan Districts 2016 Marquee 2017- 47 16 Raised in Perth
Emma Swanson Peel, East Fremantle 2016 Marquee 2017- 35 4 Raised in Mandurah
Jess Wuetschner East Fremantle 2016 #34 2017- 47 40 Recruited from Perth
Kiara Bowers Coastal Titans 2016 Marquee 2017- 33 7 Raised in Perth
Akec Makur Chuot East Perth, Swan Districts 2016 #139 2017- 33 2 Raised in Perth
Ashley Sharp Swan Districts 2016 #20 2017-2022 (S7) 34 25 Raised in Perth
Tayla Bresland Peel Thunder 2016 #52 2017-2022 25 1 Raised in Perth
Melissa Caulfield East Fremantle 2016 #77 2017-2022 33 8 Raised in Perth
Tiah Toth Coastal Titans 2016 #36 2017-2022 24 1 Raised in Katanning and Perth
Renee Forth Coastal Titans 2016 Marquee 2017-2021 22 1 Raised in Perth
Beatrice Devlyn South Fremantle 2017 Injury replacement 2017-2021 8 0 Raised in Perth
Brianna Green East Fremantle 2016 #13 2017-2021 7 0 Raised in Perth
Alicia Janz Swan Districts - Injury replacement 2017-2021 20 0 Raised in Derby
Alex Williams East Fremantle 2016 Priority 2017-2021 20 0 Raised in Perth
Cassie Davidson East Fremantle 2016 #84 2017-2020 17 0 Raised in Perth
Kirby Bentley Swan Districts 2016 Priority 2017-2019 10 1 Raised in Perth
Amy Lavell Coastal Titans 2016 #61 2017-2018 14 8 Raised in Perth
Caitlyn Edwards East Fremantle 2016 #43 2017-2018 14 6 Born and raised in Perth (Thornlie)
Lara Filocamo Coastal Titans 2016 #29 2017-2018 14 2 Raised in Perth
Stacey Barr Coastal Titans 2016 #68 2017-2018 12 5 Raised in Perth
Tara Morgan South Fremantle 2016 #144 2017-2018 11 0 Born in Kununurra, raised in Broome
Demi Okely Peel Thunder 2016 #125 2017 7 0 Raised in Perth
Kelly Clinch Subiaco 2016 #116 2017 6 0 Raised in Perth
Kira Phillips Peel Thunder 2016 #45 2017 5 2 Raised in Perth
Taylah Angel Swan Districts 2016 #93 2017 4 0 Raised in Perth
Tarnica Golisano Coastal Titans 2016 Free agent 2017 4 0 Raised in Perth
Kim Mickle - 2016 Rookie 2017 1 0 Born and raised in Perth

See also

References

  1. ^ Ausplay Snapshot by state (Australian Football)
  2. ^ "The Barassi Line - A Wikidata fellowship project".
  3. ^ "It's the obvious choice": Western Australia throw hat in ring for third AFL team by SCOTT PRYDE 22 January 2023
  4. ^ Could we find room for a third AFL team out of WA? By Joel Saratsis 17 March 2016
  5. ^ West Perth sound out Royals about being third AFL club by SHAYNE HOPE for The West Australian 3 April 2010
  6. ^ 2022 AFL TV Ratings
  7. ^ a b c G Christian, J Lee & B Messenger, The Footballers: The History of Football in Western Australia, St George's Books Perth 1985, pp 1-6.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Highlights in the History of Australian Football". The Daily News. Vol. LV, no. 18, 748. Western Australia. 20 April 1935. p. 20 (LATE CITY). Retrieved 17 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "FOOTBALL FOR THE WINTER MONTHS". Victorian Express. Vol. II, no. 36. Western Australia. 12 May 1880. p. 3. Retrieved 17 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "SPECTEMUR AGENDO". Victorian Express. Vol. III, no. 40. Western Australia. 8 June 1881. p. 2. Retrieved 17 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "FOOTBALL RULES". The West Australian. Vol. IV, no. 254. Western Australia. 9 May 1882. p. 3. Retrieved 17 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "OCCASIONAL NOTES". The West Australian. Vol. III, no. CCXXXXII. Western Australia. 28 March 1882. p. 2. Retrieved 17 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "FOOTBALL NOTES". The Herald. Vol. XIX, no. 60. Western Australia. 17 April 1886. p. 3. Retrieved 17 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ Simons, John Joseph (Jack) (1882–1948). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 26 July 2008. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Register of Heritage Paces - YAL Building" (PDF). Western Australian Heritage Council. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  16. ^ "The Sandover Medal". The Daily News. 29 July 1921. Retrieved 15 August 2014 – via Trove.
  17. ^ a b Ausplay Sports Report 2022 - Australian Football (Western Australia)
  18. ^ "More chase Sherrin than before - realfooty.com.au". Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  19. ^ AFL PREFERRED FACILITY GUIDELINES Aflcommunityclub.com.au
  20. ^ WA Football Hall of Fame

West Australian Football League club

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