The WAFL Eagles fell short in a hard-fought battle, going down 7.6 (48) to 8.17 (65) against East Fremantle.

Senior Coach Kyal Horsley said that from the first bounce, the players attacked the game and challenged East Fremantle throughout.

“We took on the Sharks in what turned out to be reasonable conditions considering the weather in the lead-up.” Horsley said.

 “After a disappointing performance the previous week, we challenged the players on some key areas, and we were really pleased with the response.

“We held the lead at the 16-minute mark of the final quarter but couldn’t quite get across the line.

“Credit to East Fremantle, they won the big moments late in the game. Still, it was a valuable learning experience for our young group.”

Top Performers

Noah Long

Noah played the game the right way as a small forward and looked a class above at times. His work rate was high, constantly presenting, applying pressure, and staying involved in the play. He created opportunities through his movement and intensity. Long’s ability to impact the scoreboard was a direct result of his hard work off the ball, and his defensive efforts were just as impressive. He set the tone early and maintained that standard throughout the game.

Coen Livingstone

Coen’s intent was evident from the first bounce. He played with a strong team-first mindset, often sacrificing his own positioning to block for teammates or create space. When he was in the contest, he either won it or halved it, rarely beaten. His ability to elevate in the final stages of the game was a standout, winning crucial one-on-one battles and showing a real hunger to influence the result. His physicality and mental toughness were key traits that helped drive the group forward when the game was in the balance.

Josh Burke

Josh played down back this week and handled it with maturity and intensity. His defensive pressure was relentless, and his ability to stay connected to his opponent while still helping others was a feature. He played with a real sense of responsibility, often putting himself in positions to support teammates and close space. His work rate and discipline were impressive, and he showed that he can be trusted in key matchups while still contributing to the team’s overall structure.

AFL Listed Players

Harvey Johnston

Harvey played with a real hunger to win. His defensive sprint efforts were crucial in stopping East Fremantle’s transition. He consistently put himself in positions to support teammates. His selfless play and willingness to cover ground made a big difference.

Jayden Hunt

Jayden provided real drive out of the back half, especially in the first quarter when the game was tight. His desperation in contests and ability to force turnovers gave us momentum early. Hunt’s ability to read the play and take the game on was a standout feature.

Jack Petruccelle

Jack split his time between inside midfield and forward and had a significant impact in both roles. His explosiveness and ability to break away from stoppages gave us a different look through the middle, while his forward craft created scoring opportunities. We would’ve loved to have had him in both spots at once, such was his influence.

Tyrell Dewar

Tyrell played across half-back and was a consistent outlet for us all game. His speed allowed him to break lines, and his ball use was clean and composed under pressure. He showed great awareness in transition and was a key part of our ability to rebound effectively.

Lucca Grego

Lucca was instrumental in our second-quarter surge. He laid strong tackles, made big plays, and showed leadership well beyond his years. His ability to lift the group with his energy and physicality was a key turning point in the game.

Bailey Williams

As always, Bailey’s presence in the WAFL was commanding. His intent to impact every contest was clear, whether in the air or at ground level. He influenced the game in multiple ways, through ruck work, marking, and leadership and set the tone for others.

Jack Williams

As the AFL carry-over, Jack had to finish up at three-quarter time, which was frustrating given the trajectory of his game. He looked ready to take control and potentially swing the result our way. 

Jacob Newton

Jacob returned from a hand injury and made an immediate impact defensively. While he couldn’t quite hold onto a few marks, his work rate and tackling pressure were high, finishing with eight tackles. His ability to apply heat and disrupt East Fremantle’s ball movement was vital.

Malakai Champion

Malakai led the way with his defensive intent. His chase-down efforts and harassment created multiple turnovers that don’t show up in the stat sheet but were game-defining. His ball use going forward was sharp and helped set up several scoring chains.

Loch Rawlinson

Though his statistical output didn’t match his Peel game, his process and effort were consistent. As a small forward, impact can fluctuate, but his intensity and commitment to the role were unwavering. If he continues with this approach, the big games will come.

Callum Jamieson

It was fantastic to have ‘Jamo’ back in the side. His on-field impact was obvious, but it’s his leadership and ability to guide younger players that truly elevates the group. He brings calmness and clarity in key moments.

Harry Barnett

Harry played a selfless, team-first game that we highlighted in our team meeting. When the game was on the line in the final quarter, he stepped up with crucial efforts that helped keep us in the contest.