The 2026 WAFL season was officially launched at Optus Stadium on Wednesday, with all club captains and coaches coming together to kick off the year.
The WAFL Eagles will enter the 2026 season with a renewed focus on competitiveness, connection and development under coach Kyal Horsley and newly appointed captain ex-AFL player Callum Jamieson.
Horsley said the group’s aim is clear.
“We’re just really driven to be competitive,” Horsley said.
“We’re a developing team, and the more competitive we are, the more we can grow our AFL players and strengthen the connection with our WAFL guys.”
Balancing AFL‑listed and WAFL‑listed players is a familiar challenge, but Horsley said the squad’s unity is a real strength.
“Guys are trying to compete to their shot at AFL level and others are performing to hold their spot,” Horsley said.
“The players are great, they’re really coachable.
“The connection grows each week, and you can feel a sense of belonging between both groups. Everyone wants what’s best for each other, and they all want to win.”
Horsley is confident the alignment with the AFL program will continue to pay off.
“They get to play our system and continue learning it each week,” Horsely said.
“With another year of playing that style, I think we’ll see a big improvement.
“While we haven’t had the results we wanted, things are starting to change and I’m optimistic.”
Newly appointed captain Callum Jamieson, who played 17 AFL games for West Coast between 2022 and 2024, said the squad’s list depth and new additions have the group well placed to build greater consistency.
The versatile tall, known for his resilience and ability to swing between ruck and defence across his AFL stint, said the group is focused on taking a step forward together.
“We’re hoping to be more competitive and play a good consistent brand of footy,” Jamieson said.
“We’ve brought in a few new WAFL recruits in Archie Watt and Cory Hitchcock, the WAFL list is healthy, and the AFL list has a lot of talented young boys.
“Hopefully we can combine the two and play some consistent footy.”
Having experienced both levels (AFL and WAFL), Jamieson praised the alignment’s impact on player development.
“The club does a really good job,” Jamieson said.
“The WAFL program lets younger AFL players come back and play in the same role and structure they would at AFL level.
“They’re surrounded by guys in a similar position, so when they get their chance in AFL, that transition is really seamless.”
West Coast will fine‑tune their preparations in a final pre‑season clash with Peel Thunder at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday, ahead of a Good Friday season opener against the Perth Demons at 2.10pm.
Find the full fixture details here
