The 2024 WAFL season has provided fans with great drama on and off the field. The race for finals was so tight that it came down to the last game of the home and away season to determine the top five. A credit to the quality of WAFL players that give their all for their sides on a weekly basis. We here at SportFM have given ourselves the difficult task of highlighting the standout players of 2024 by picking the team of the year through our expert panel. Although there were many unlucky players to miss out, we believe we have selected the 22 best players of the season in their respective positions. Here is our team:
Backs
Jake Pasini – Swan Districts
Returning to WA after four years with Port Adelaide, Jake has been a stalwart in defence for Swan Districts that has seen them returning to finals football for the first time since 2021. Suits the way the Swans like to move the footy to absolute perfection and can match up on anyone. A great intercept marking player.
17 matches in 2024
290 disposals, 100 marks (6th in league), 30 tackles
Matthew Jupp – East Fremantle
The captain of our side. Matthew rarely loses a one-on-one contest and has provided his team with outstanding leadership in a season that has seen East Fremantle face great adversity. A player that everyone wants to have in their side because you know what you’re going to get from him week in, week out.
15 matches in 2024
203 disposals, 81 marks, 40 tackles
Michael Sellwood – Peel Thunder
The only Peel local in our team. In just his second season of league football, Michael has been a first up pick for Adam Read on a weekly basis with his confidence to mark the ball in any situation. With his elite skills and ability to take the game on, he is going to be a star of the competition for many years to come.
17 matches in 2024
336 disposals, 121 marks (2nd in league), 51 tackles
Half Backs
Stanley Wright – East Perth
A SportFM favourite, Stan has taken his game to another level this season providing great burst for East Perth off the half back line. Uses his mean left foot to punish opposition teams. The type of player everyone needs at their club. One of the key reasons as to why the Royals won the minor premiership.
15 matches in 2024
359 disposals, 57 marks, 24 tackles, 1 goal
Chad Pearson – South Fremantle
Has really stepped up as a leader since taking over the captaincy role from Dylan Main. Finds plenty of the footy in defence to set up South Fremantle’s attack higher up the ground. One of the competition’s elite defenders for a long period of time now.
18 matches in 2024
355 disposals, 116 marks (3rd in league), 33 tackles, 2 goals
Jye Bolton – Claremont
Jye continues to be one of the major ball winners of the competition. His desire to be the best shines through with his want for the ball. He has heavily contributed to Claremont’s turnaround in form this season to charge home to the finals. Despite not being selected for WA in state footy, we still have Jye in our best 22.
17 matches in 2024
443 disposals, 64 marks, 42 tackles, 8 goals
Mids
Jesse Turner – Swan Districts
In the absence of Brandon Erceg, Jesse has had to step up even more so as captain for his team this season. He somehow finds ample amounts of space using the width of the ground, highlighted when he took a season high 18 marks against East Perth in round 2. Provides great run and sets up his forwards well with that beautiful left foot kick. Hoping to get back in time for his side’s preliminary final.
18 matches in 2024
479 disposals (5th in league), 106 marks (4th in league), 40 tackles, 10 goals
Will Brodie – Peel Thunder
Will has incredibly missed out on AFL selection all season long to Peel Thunder’s benefit. Consistently finds the footy in and under whilst also showing an ability to burst out of stoppage and penetrate inside 50. Would be an injustice if he never played AFL again. Clearly a class above and a big part of Peel’s premiership hopes.
16 matches in 2024
462 disposals (9th in league), 52 marks, 56 tackles, 5 goals
Luke Meadows – West Perth
Has been one of the shining lights for West Perth in a season mostly to forget. Loves to get out the front of stoppage and use his legs. Had one of the great individual performances of the season in his 150th game with 36 disposals and a goal in a rare win for the Falcons.
18 matches in 2024
469 disposals (6th in league), 80 marks, 70 tackles, 5 goals
Half Forwards
Isiah Winder – South Fremantle
One of the recruits of the year for the Bulldogs after three seasons at West Coast. A smooth mover with silky skills, he seems to have all the time in the world. Isi is a goalkicking mid which is a must for any contending team in the modern game. Excelled without the added pressure that being an AFL footballer brings.
18 matches in 2024
457 disposals (=10th in league), 87 marks, 72 tackles, 16 goals
Thomas Edwards – Swan Districts
A high flying forward with the ability to take the mark of the year on any given week. Combined extremely well with the returning Leigh Kohlmann as the pair kicked 81 goals between them this season. Will be a key to the Swan’s success if he can return to the side deep in finals after suffering a concussion in the last round.
18 matches in 2024
211 disposals, 81 marks, 23 tackles, 37 goals (4th in league)
Bailey Rogers – Claremont
Returned to his Sandover form this season winning plenty of the footy and going forward to kick goals in a team averaging only 8.8 goals per game. An absolute bull when attacking the footy, Bailey was a major factor in Claremont’s form that saw them contending for a premiership once again. Had one of the games of the season with 37 possessions and 3 goals in the wet against the Eagles.
18 matches in 2024
457 disposals (=10th in league), 68 marks, 76 tackles, 17 goals
Forwards
Jed Hagan – East Fremantle
Returned to the WAFL after a season with Port Adelaide to East Fremantle’s delight. An extremely skilful forward that gets to the right spots time and time again. Can craft a goal out of nothing and is an important piece in the Sharks making finals this year.
18 matches in 2024
224 disposals, 59 marks, 62 tackles, 30 goals (6th in league)
Tyler Keitel – West Perth
The Bernie Naylor Medallist in a four-win season for West Perth tells you just how special Tyler has been in 2024. Tyler has provided for the Falcons as a tremendous target up forward, not only leading the competition in goals, but in marks as well. Hit a rare patch of form mid-way through the season kicking 22 goals in four games.
18 matches in 2024
274 disposals, 125 marks (1st in league), 39 tackles, 56 goals (1st in league)
Aaron Clarke – Perth
The only Perth player on this list and for good reason. Recruited from Coburg in the VFL, Aaron has taken the competition by storm in 2024 with his composure and ability to kick goals at a high rate finishing third in the Bernie Naylor Medal in just 13 games. Kicked the most goals in a single game this year with 8 against West Perth.
13 matches in 2024
108 disposals, 54 marks, 17 tackles, 40 goals (3rd in league)
Followers
Oliver Eastland – Claremont
The premiere ruckman in the competition with his tap work, ability to follow up, tackle and win ball at ground level. Essentially a fourth midfielder for Claremont, it reflected in how well he polled in the Sandover. Led the league in hitouts giving his mids first use whilst also winning his fair share of the footy to. Massive for the Tigers all year long.
18 matches in 2024
337 disposals, 71 marks, 93 tackles (7th in league), 712 hitouts (1st in league), 3 goals
Nik Rokahr – Swan Districts
The joint Sandover Medallist and arguably the recruit of the season. Nik dominated the WAFL this year after many successful years at Norwood in the SANFL. A classic footballer who has contributed greatly to Swan Districts’ rise up the ladder in 2024. With his elite running and superb skills, he has given opposition coaches headaches for days and has led the competition in possessions.
18 matches in 2024
539 disposals (1st in league), 88 marks, 64 tackles, 1 goal
Mitchell Crowden – East Perth
In a year that saw key midfielders in and out of the side through injury, Mitch has been the one constant for the Royals. With a desire to hunt the footy, he has set up East Perth’s attack out of centre and gives them every opportunity to score. Runner-up in the Sandover, he has that AFL quality experience and is a major factor in his team’s premiership hopes.
18 matches in 2024
468 disposals (=7th in league), 89 marks, 86 tackles, 8 goals
Interchange
Anthony Davis – Claremont
A versatile tall that has taken his game to new heights in 2024. Can play as a key in defence, run along the wing and even go forward and kick a goal. Anthony’s size, strength and fitness sees him as a difficult matchup for any forward. One of Claremont’s big guns that helped them come extremely close to making a preliminary final.
18 matches in 2024
348 disposals, 104 marks (5th in league), 33 tackles, 6 goals
Haiden Schloithe – South Fremantle
Returning to his beloved club after a year off, Haiden hasn’t missed a beat this season for the Bulldogs. Whether he’s playing through the midfield, or in the forward line, he always finds a way to impact the game. A fantastic decision maker with great vision. Expect him to get the full Sandover votes for his efforts against Subiaco where he had 32 disposals and 5 goals.
16 matches in 2024
369 disposals, 71 marks, 72 tackles, 16 goals
Liam Reidy – Peel Thunder
Uncertain if we’ll be seeing this man playing at WAFL level for too much longer as he was rewarded for his brilliant form throughout the season with two AFL games for Fremantle to complete the home and away season. Coming into the prime age for a ruckman, Liam’s tap work has been phenomenal for Peel and he has shown that he can win his own ball around the ground as well. Still developing, which is scary for any ruckman that has to come up against him.
13 matches in 2024
143 disposals, 20 marks, 57 tackles, 578 hitouts (4th in league), 1 goal
Milan Murdock – East Fremantle
What he lacks in size, he makes up for in heart. Another outstanding season from the reigning Simpson Medallist. Milan leads the competition in tackles which shows his hunger for the contest. Despite all the obstacles thrown in the Sharks direction this season, Milan has helped his team to another finals berth and gave them every opportunity as one of the best big game players in the league.
18 matches in 2024
482 disposals (4th in league), 50 marks, 146 tackles (1st in league), 7 goals
Selection Panel
Brett Raponi, Chris Mitsopoulos, Jacob Landsmeer, John Townsend, Matthew Grubelich, Tony Micale
IMAGE: SportFM