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WAFL TOP 40: Mitchell Woodcock ranks best players in state competition ahead of 2025 season

The West Australian’s football reporter Mitchell Woodcock takes a look at the best 40 players in the WAFL for the upcoming season. Each player is ranked 40-1, with their previous year’s ranking next to their name. Who tops the list for 2025? Read the top 40 below. 40. Sam Simpson, Perth (25) The former Geelong midfielder’s body let him down in his first season at the Demons. Would be a lot higher but durability is an issue. 39. Roan Steele, West Perth (New) A strong midfielder who has come from the VFL and impressed early. Could be vital for the Falcons. 38. Harrison Macreadie, East Perth (New) Incredible one-on-one defender who reads the ball well and can go forward to kick a goal. 37. Galen Savigni, Subiaco (New) Emerged as one of the best defenders last year in an excellent season. Won Subiaco’s fairest and best. 36. Scott Jones, East Perth (36) So hard to stop in the ruck and around the ground as a big body presence. Is tough to stop at his best. 35. Jack Sears, Peel Thunder (New) Sears can play a variety of positions and is showing strong leadership qualities. 34. Jack Avery, East Fremantle (34) An attacking defender who has taken his dash and dare to the Sharks for 2025. 33. Angus Scott, East Perth (26) A hard-running wingman who needs a big season after a lot of players exited the Royals. 32. Ethan Hughes, South Fremantle (New) The former Docker adds class and skill to the Bulldogs’ defence after a strong AFL career. 31. Jake Pasini, Swan Districts (New) In his first season back from the AFL, Pasini proved to be a strong intercept and one-on-one defender. 30. Michael Sellwood, Peel Thunder (New) Took the most marks in the WAFL last year. If form continues will be closing in on making the AFL. 29. Jamaine Jones, South Fremantle (New) Former West Coast and Geelong speedster who is going to be a real attacking weapon at his new club. 28. Josh Rotham, West Perth (New) The former Eagles defender is a welcome addition to a tough Falcons. 27. Jono Marsh, East Fremantle (27) Had a poor 2024 for his standards but can break a game open when he’s at his best. 26. Cam Eardley, East Fremantle (21) One of the best rebounding defenders who is also capable of intercepting when it matters. 25. Shane Nelson, West Perth (17) The veteran ball magnet continues to rack up the disposals for the Falcons well into his career. 24. Haiden Schloithe, South Fremantle (38) Would be higher on this list but is unavailable early in the season for medical reasons. Few players use the ball better. 23. Zac Guadagnin, West Perth (23) A tough defender to beat who reads the play well and plays above his size. 22. Leigh Kohlmann, Swan Districts (New) Emerged as a threat up forward in his third stint at Swans. Is hard to outmark when off the leash. 21. Liam Hickmott, Subiaco (13) Continues to be a great tackling midfielder who finds a lot of the ball. Is also adding goalkicking to his game. 20. Kyle Baskerville, East Fremantle (15) Takes over as skipper of the Sharks and is one of the best two-way running midfielders in the competition. 19. Jye Bolton, Claremont (6) The dual Sandover medallist looked back to near his best when he was moved back into the midfield for the Tigers. 18. Luke Meadows, West Perth (2) Was the Falcons’ best in a tough year but with a better midfield should be more destructive in 2025. 17. Trey Ruscoe, South Fremantle (New) Former West Coast utility who will be even more damaging in a stronger Bulldogs outfit as a forward. 16. Aidan Clarke, Swan Districts (14) Was sorely missed late in the finals when he was suspended. Is a genuine x-factor player. 15. Bailey Rogers, Claremont (7) Appeared to put injury troubles behind him to get close to back to his best late in 2024. An Achilles issue still hangs over the Sandover medallist. 14. Isiah Winder, South Fremantle (New) Put himself back on the radar of AFL clubs as a goal-kicking midfielder for the Bulldogs. 13. Tyler Keitel, West Perth (10) Claimed a fourth Bernie Naylor Medal last year after booting 56 goals in 18 games in a team that didn’t play finals. 12. Jesse Turner, Swan Districts (8) The best wingman in the WAFL, Turner is one of the fittest in the league and was sorely missed in the finals after getting injured. 11. Zane Trew, Swan Districts (New) Returns to the Swans after a stint at West Coast where he will be a dangerous inside midfielder. 10. Aaron Clarke, Perth (New) Kicked an incredible 40 goals in only 13 games because of injury. Is shaping as a big player for the Demons. 9. Matthew Parker, South Fremantle (New) Dominated for the Bulldogs last year in the midfield and will enjoy having a stronger side around him. 8. Jye Chalcraft, Swan Districts (35) Was one of the recruits of last year, averaging 27 disposals to help Swans reach the preliminary final. 7. Hamish Brayshaw, East Perth (1) Struggled with injury, fitness, and form last year. But when he is at his best there are few who can match it with him. 6. Callan England, Claremont (New) Had a breakout season to be the joint winner of the Sandover Medal. Relishing his full-time move to the midfield. 5. Milan Murdock, East Fremantle (3) Continues to be one of the best midfielders outside of the AFL. Looks to add goalkicking to his repertoire in 2025. 4. Charlie Constable, Perth (28) Injury interrupted his first year at the Demons, but the new co-captain has shown he is a class above. 3. Greg Clark, Subiaco (5) Struggled with a bad groin injury last year but after a big pre-season is ready to rip apart the competition. 2. Oliver Eastland, Claremont (18) The best ruck in the league, Eastland plays as an extra midfielder for the Tigers and will be pivotal if they want to win a flag. 1. Brandan Parfitt, Perth (New) The only AFL premiership player with more than 100 games experience to play in the WAFL. Is elite and could lead the Demons back to finals. OUT FROM LAST YEAR’S LIST (*= no longer playing WAFL) 4. Mitch Crowden, East Perth* 9. Angus Schumacher, East Perth* 11. Ben Sokol, Subiaco* 12. Connor West, West Perth* 16. Nik Rokahr, Swan Districts* 19. Harry Marsh, East Fremantle 20. Tom Blechynden, South Fremantle 22. Nathan Wilson, Peel Thunder* 24. Tom Joyce, East Fremantle 29. Blair Bell, Peel Thunder 30. Charlie Thompson, Perth* 31. Taj Schofield, Subiaco 32. Jake Florenca, South Fremantle 33. Matt Jupp, East Fremantle* 37. Brynn Teakle, East Fremantle* 39. Tom Edwards, Swan Districts* 40. Alec Waterman, Claremont

analysisWAFL TOP 40: Mitchell Woodcock ranks best players in state competition ahead of 2025 season

analysis
WAFL TOP 40: Mitchell Woodcock ranks best players in state competition ahead of 2025 season