West Coast and Peel Thunder will meet in the final pre-season encounter as part of the wafl build-up, with the match set for Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET at Mineral Resources Park. The fixture features 25 AFL-listed players across both squads and serves as a tune-up for Peel ahead of their Good Friday fixture. WA Football published the team lists showing several returning and newly recruited AFL talents bolstering each side.
Wafl pre-season clash set for Saturday
The top-line fact is simple and immediate: West Coast host Peel Thunder at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET. WA Football’s published selection lists name a combined 25 AFL-listed players across the two teams, underlining the match’s role as the final pre-season encounter before the regular wafl season openings. The Eagles’ list is led by Elijah Hewett, the first-round draft pick returning from a quad injury, while Peel’s nominations include established and emerging AFL-listed forwards and mids looking for match fitness.
AFL-listed talent to dominate the contest
West Coast’s named group includes premiership defender Tom Cole, SSP recruit and former Collingwood midfielder Fin Macrae, and No. 1 mid-season draft pick Ryan Maric, each appearing after an encouraging showing in earlier pre-season work. The Eagles’ squad also highlights Elijah Hewett’s return from injury, a selection WA Football has flagged in its team announcement.
Peel Thunder’s listed contingent features pressure forward Bailey Banfield, running machine Jeremy Sharp and first-round draft pick Adam Sweid as part of their AFL-listed core. The Thunder will also field recent Dockers draftees Toby Whan, Leon Kickett and Tobyn Murray, alongside wafl recruits such as Toby Cossor, Lachie Tardew, Dustin Walters and Darcy Wallinger. Mason Cox, who debuted last Saturday, was not named for Peel in this selection list.
Immediate reactions and available statements
WA Football provided the team lists and a formal acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians in its release. No direct player or coaching quotes were included in the material provided with the selections. The published lists, as released by WA Football, are the basis for the named inclusions and the count of AFL-listed players for this final pre-season fixture.
Match officials and final bench selections remain subject to change as clubs weigh AFL call-ups and emergencies. The selection lists note several Dockers’ AFL emergencies who could return to matchday contention, and Mason Cox was omitted from Peel’s named squad after his recent appearance.
What’s next
Focus now turns to Saturday’s kick-off at 2: 40 p. m. ET, when both sides will assess form, fitness and combinations under match conditions ahead of the regular wafl season. Peel will use the outing to sharpen toward their Good Friday encounter, and West Coast will continue integrating returning and recruited AFL-listed talent into their lineup. WA Football will issue any late team changes prior to first bounce.
