[Agitoligflise]

There are some big names coming back into the WAFL this year so i thought i'd put a list up of players returning from the AFL and new recruits from the AFL and VFL. I will rank them in order that i think they will impact the WAFL in terms of playing ability and pulling power.

1. Leon Davis (Perth) - great to see him back where it all started, in Perth colours.
2. Paul Medhurst (Claremont) - just confirmed yesterday, back at the Tigers.
3. Paul Bevan (Perth) - 129 AFL games and 2005 premiership player with Sydney.
4. Wayde Twomey (SD) - returns from AFL, proven WAFL player.
5. Jarrod Morton (Claremont) - can turn it on up forward.
6. Richard Gabriel (East Fremantle) - ex VFL 198cm ruckman/forward
7. Brennan Stack (Perth) - returns after 5 seasons and about 20 odd AFL games. Exciting player.
8. Allister Smith (Perth) - returns after 3 seasons with St Kilda, apparently played some good footy in the VFL.
9. Alex Grima (SF) - Glenelg (SANFL)
10. Marcus White (East Perth) - ex North Melbourne
11. Paul Johnson (East Perth)* tbc - ex WC/Melb ruckman/forward
12. Michael Pittigrew (WP) - returns AFL/Port Adelaide
13. Sean Tighe (SF) - Werribee Hawks
14. Jack Perham (EF) - returns (AFL/Collingwood)
15. Jarrod Schofield (EF) - ex AFL (WB)
16. Sam Menagola (EF) - returns (AFL/Hawthorn)
17. Mitch Keddell (Peel) - VFL
18. Jamason Daniels (Peel) - VFL

Others?

Not a bad dozen or so players returning/coming to the WAFL this year.

[iceleliewBync]

Interesting list DD, .......surprised someone like ex WBD Jarrod Schofield isn't on your list, consider he played half as many games as Stack did in 4 fewer years and 10 times more games than Smith did in 2 fewer years, not too sure the pulling power of Stack or Smith on those AFL ability stats. Not too sure the pulling power or dominance that Coyys has for Tighe either.....the guy played 2 league VFL games and 5 VFL reserves games for Werribee and played in the QAFL before that.....christ Jack Perham did more at Collingwood in the VFL and WAFL. Surely Paul Johnson would offer more in terms of pulling power and ability than the likes of Smith and ex NM rookie White.

Morton to me will surpass what all will do in the WAFL this year.....the kid is talented and kicked goals in the VFL, I reckon Morton will kick 60 goals minimum.......which ultimately will go a long way to them winning back to back flags. How many games did Pettigrew play in the AFL?.....a few more than Stack and Smith did from memory......Bevan will easily be Perth's best recruit, he seems to be that sort of character, who is a good honest club man through and through....steady as she comes I reckon with Bevan.....

Be interested at the end of the year if you do a review of the best recruits to the WAFL......especially if Perth aren't as successful as a lot of people will think they will be......

[raspirator]

Freeze, the stats on Tighe in the VFL log are wrong. He played all the season in the VFL at CHB and was in the VFL team of the year I'm quite sure. Was asked to train at NM pre season. Comes with big wraps but you never know.

Grima should be handy player too, kicked a few bags of 4 and 5 in the SANFL.

[StethyEntinic]

fair due on Tighe then southboy.....thought it was a bit strange all this praise for a player with 2 VFL games in 2011.....SF need a good CHB.....at least it will free up Murph to play forward with Wilson and D'ollio gone.....quite suprised the SF boys on FG reckon SF need a ruck.....christ Hayward and Bolger are both near 200cm and young...yeah inexperienced but both ares talented and Hase will be crazy not to give them extended goes in the WAFL, working as a duo.

[AntonioMQ]

Ease up on me boys, i haven't heard of a lot of these blokes so i'm mainly going on what i know or bits and pieces of what have read. Fair comments though, will add them to the list. Out of interest Freezin, how long was Jack Perham on Collingwoods list and did he play any AFL games?

[Ubgvuncd]

As a Peel fan I would like to see two Victorian midfielders Mitch Keddell and Jamason Daniels added to this list. Daniels spent two years on the Bulldogs rookie list and from all reports is training the house down so far in the pre season. Keddell did a pre season with Richmond last year and only just missed out on the last spot on their list. Is all class and the wide open grounds over here in WA will suit him.

Obviously these two arent very well known in WA so fair enough they arent in you list DD but wouldnt surprise me if they both were by the end of the year.

[Escamsrasiush]

I'm going to throw a smoky onto the list, Waylen Mansen. Am not sure if he's definitely playing, and he hasn't played a game of league football (perhaps in the ntfl), but if the hype is to be believed this kid has excitement in spades.

[ZAtlLVos]

I'm going to throw a smoky onto the list, Waylen Mansen. Am not sure if he's definitely playing, and he hasn't played a game of league football (perhaps in the ntfl), but if the hype is to be believed this kid has excitement in spades.

If he has a period of 4-5 weeks like he did in the NTFL then that will be very exciting

[detskpit]

As a Peel fan I would like to see two Victorian midfielders Mitch Keddell and Jamason Daniels added to this list.

Done Footfan!

[topcasinobonua]

Subiaco have started to make their moves in the recruiting stakes.

They have signed Gold Coast Suns player Joseph Daye, who was recommended to Chris Waterman by Guy McKenna. Daye is 21 years old and was originally from Southport (QLD) which is a club that has produced good footballers. He is also the godson of Micheal Long.

Subiaco have also signed Port Melbourne big man Callum Sinclair. He is a 200cm forward who was describled by an AFL recruiting officer as a tall mobile forward with a very strong lead & mark, and a reliable kick for goal.

These players could help cover some of Subi's substancial loses.

[Ferrotoral]

Yep Subi are starting to make their move. That looks like they have found their ruck replacements but Nathan Phillips replaces just one of about 5 or 6 quality mids they've lost.

[excivaamome]

Says that 200cm bloke missed selection in port melbournes grand final side so you would think he wouldn't be the class of player that Rix was.

[CealialactBek]

I dont know... The Borough didnt lose a game last year and thats in twice as good a league as the WAFL. I've heard he goes well - although must confess I havent seen him play in the flesh

That's a big call. I wouldn't have thought there was much of a gap at all.

[Ayyfjicg]

satan, are you forgetting:

1) Last season, Williamstown taking care of the best WA could offer in the Foster's Cup and then getting thrashed by an unbeaten Port Melbourne in the VFL Grand Final.

2) In 2010, the Vics beating us in the State game by 55 points.

[Mappaindy]

Supporter and fan base and promotion wise I think we are better than the VFL. The WAFL is vastly a better league than what it was 3-4 years ago and looks set to be even better in 2012 with the types of players that the competition has been able to attract. I think the VFL though is slightly a better league at the moment but the WAFL is closing the gap at a record pace.

[leyliana]

For some reason WA has always struggled in interstate clashes against Vic and SA. Population alone and just looked at a VFL ladder and there are 13 teams in the VFL so depth is a big player there. Also we have bigger grounds and that tends to breed lighter quicker players that like open space. I think the pressure of interstate games tends to suit sides that have bigger stronger bodies.

But when WA gets the mix right that's when we shine but hasn't happened for a while. I think our state coaches tend to favour their own club and a few of the stronger ones too much and i'd like to see it made compulsory that at least one player is chosen from each WAFL club. You can't tell me that Peels best player doesn't warrant a state guernsey! The state team is mean't to be a representation of the whole of the WAFL competition, not from 6 or 7 clubs.

[Gakeincidoniac]

But when WA gets the mix right that's when we shine but hasn't happened for a while.

So true - I was in Melbourne for the 06 state game VIC vs WA. WA fielded a very solid team of individuals but were blown away by 20 goals. That day i really think it came down to the vics handling the cyclonic conditions very well and how well they played the small TEAC oval. The game plan and coach were a big factor. So IMO, state games aren't really a good guage for the strength of each league

[NikolaAAA]

You can't tell me that Peels best player doesn't warrant a state guernsey!

I'm trying hard to think of a good one

[HoqCBYMl]

I'm trying hard to think of a good one

Kristin Thornton comes to mind, he would have acquitted himself well. McDougall from Perth should have got a game last year. Zucconi has missed out so many times.