WAFL 2026: All you need to know including captains, coaches and best players ahead of bumper season

The West Australian’s football writer Mitchell Woodcock takes a look at the ins, the outs and all the key players at every WAFL club before the season kicks off on Friday. SOUTH FREMANTLE Coach: Craig White Captain: Chad Pearson Last Year: Premiers (19-1) Best and fairest: Matt Parker The reigning premiers have lost a bit of experience in the likes of former skipper Dylan Main, Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe and Zac Strom but they still have plenty of star power to push for consecutive flags. Their defence is arguably still the best but South Fremantle will rely heavily on Trey Ruscoe to kick a score unless can unearth some other options in attack to help him out. EAST PERTH Coach: Ross McQueen Captain: Hamish Brayshaw & Christian Ameduri Last Year: Runner-Up (13-9) Best and fairest: Scott Jones The Royals are finally looking to get rid of the title of bridesmaids, and a fully fit Cooper Stephens could be the difference. Their midfield of Hamish Brayshaw, Tom North, Stephens and Christian Ameduri is among the best in the competition while ruckman Scott Jones is coming off a career-best season. CLAREMONT Coach: Ash Prescott Captain: Bailey Rogers & Callan England Last Year: 3rd (15-5-1) Best and fairest: Ollie Eastland The Tigers will be without dual Sandover medallist Jye Bolton for the first time in a decade but still have plenty of depth to call upon. Forward Jaiden Hunter is coming off a full pre-season for the first time in years, while Zac Mainwaring looks like he has made the successful move to the midfield. PERTH Coach: Mark Stone Captain: Corey Bryne and Charlie Constable Last Year: 4th (12-8) Best and fairest: Charlie Constable The Demons have taken no chances on the back of their first finals win this century, adding several recruits including former Collingwood backman Charlie Dean. Their depth is still the biggest question hanging over the club but their top end talent is among the best in the league. EAST FREMANTLE Coach: Bill Monaghan Captain: Kyle Baskerville Last Year: 5th (11-8) Best and fairest: Milan Murdock The Sharks’ depth will be severely tested after losing their best player in Milan Murdock and one of their rising stars in Mitch Zadow to AFL clubs in the pre-season. Coach Bill Monaghan will rely heavily on senior players in the likes of Baskerville, Cam Eardley, Harry Marsh, Jack Avery and Jarrad Jansen if they are to play finals again. PEEL THUNDER Coach: Adam Read Captain: Jack Sears Last Year: 6th (7-10-1) Best and fairest: Liam Reidy After missing finals on the back of a premiership, the Thunder have added some depth to their squad to complement the Dockers’ who will play. Former captain Ben Hancock being back from an ACL injury will strengthen their midfield, but they will need Fremantle’s young key position players in Ollie Murphy and Charlie Nicholls to take the next step in their development. WEST PERTH Coach: Paul Sanzone Captain: Luke Meadows Last Year: 7th (6-12) Best and fairest: Tyler Keitel After a turbulent year on and off the field, the Falcons have recruited well and will be looking to settle under Sanzone. Captain Luke Meadows is back from injury, while youngster Kane Bevan will look to build on a breakout season and defender Noah Pegoraro and former Eagle Connor West are back in the nest. SWAN DISTRICTS Coach: Andrew Pruyn Captain: Jesse Turner Last Year: 8th (6-12) Best and fairest: Jesse Turner The Swans have gone for youth on the recruiting front with a strong eye on the future but still have plenty of star power. Will be without star Jye Chalcraft for the early parts of the season but will hope to welcome back several senior players including Jake Pasini and Will Collins back from injury more consistently. SUBIACO Coach: Jarrad Schofield Captain: Greg Clark Last Year: 9th (4-14) Fairest and Best: Jack Mayo The return of super coach Jarrad Schofield’s has renewed hope at the Lions who will be looking to return to powerhouse status. Former AFL players Jacob Blight and Jack Petruccelle will add some experience but the likes of Greg Clark and returning Bernie Naylor medallist Ben Sokol need big years. WEST COAST Coach: Kyal Horsley Captain: Callum Jamieson Last Year: 10th (2-16) Fairest and Best: Thomas Edwards-Baldwin A bigger AFL list and some handy recruits in the likes of Archie Watt and Sasha Kernutt will surely make the Eagles a stronger team, but as always, the health of the senior list is paramount. If some of the WAFL-listed players can take their games to the next level West Coast should be able to push up the ladder after years at the bottom. MITCHELL WOODCOCK’S LADDER PREDICTOR East Perth South Fremantle Perth Claremont Subiaco Peel Thunder West Coast West Perth Swan Districts East Fremantle SANDOVER MEDAL PREDICTIONS MITCHELL WOODCOCK 1 – Brandan Parfitt (P) 2 – Tom North (EP) 3 – Charlie Constable (P) JOSH KEMPTON 1 – Charlie Constable (P) 2 – Tom Blechynden (SF) 3 – Tom North (EP) JACKSON BARRETT 1 – Matt Parker (SF) 2 – Charlie Constable (P) 3 – Brandan Parfitt (P) SAMANTHA ROGERS 1 – Matt Parker (SF) 2 – Tom North (EP) 3 – Charlie Constable (P) Mark Readings 3 – Matt Parker (SF) 2 – Tom North (EP) 1 – Jesse Turner (SD) EMMA O’DRISCOLL 1 – Charlie Constable (P) 2 – Hamish Brayshaw (EP) 3 – Jake Florenca (SF) MICHAEL BROADBRIDGE 1 – Tom North (EP) 2 – Matt Parker (SF) 3 – Charlie Constable (P)