Latest news with #BernieNaylorMedal
West Australian
21-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers veterans Michael Walters and Jaeger O'Meara pass test in footy return for Peel Thunder
Fremantle veteran Michael Walters got through his first WAFL appearance of the season unscathed as midfielder Jaeger O'Meara pushed for an instant recall to the AFL side. Walters has been sidelined since the start of the year with a persistent knee injury but showed no ill-affects as he made a rare appearance for Peel Thunder in their 35-point defeat to South Fremantle in Mandurah on Saturday. The 34-year-old was quiet compared to his lofty standards, collecting three disposals and five tackles under the watchful eye of Dockers coach Justin Longmuir and the coaching staff who would've been pleased to see the 2019 All-Australian run out a game. On limited minutes, Walters was not favoured by the heavy conditions down in Mandurah, which made scoring difficult for much of the game. Starting at half-forward, the veteran got into the game early as the Thunder kicked into a strong breeze. It was evident that Walters' leadership was having an impact, with the forward spending a lot of time directing teammates and setting up their structures around the ground. Walters picked up the speed of the game better in the second half, pushing up to the contest and then trying to expose South Fremantle defender Toby McQuilkin by working hard back to attack. The superstar spent time with fans after the match taking pictures and signing autographs despite the rain. O'Meara came back to where it all began in his first WAFL appearance for 5041 days, having last played in the state league as a 17-year-old for Perth. The Dockers midfielder is coming back from a hamstring and foot injury he sustained in the round six loss to Melbourne but didn't look like he skipped a beat. O'Meara was one of the best midfielders for the Thunder, finishing with 25 disposals, five tackles and team-high seven clearances in a strong display. The former Gold Coast and Hawthorn star made his debut in Mandurah in round 22 of 2011 where he caught the attention with four goals from 15 disposals. Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie is set for a stint on the sidelines after he sustained a concussion in the opening minutes of the contest. Defender Brandon Walker – who hasn't played since the Dockers' round two defeat to Sydney – was solid in defence, finishing with 10 touches and five tackles. Donning the long sleeves and No.88, Walker's defensive pressure was strong and there was some contests which would've seriously tested the strength of the repaired shoulder. Third-year defender High Davies was one of Peel's best, holding Bernie Naylor Medal leader Trey Ruscoe goalless in an excellent effort as he looks to add to the two games he played for Fremantle last year. Draftee Charlie Nicholls kicked consecutive goals for the second consecutive week in a strong performance early in his career.
Perth Now
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Walters, O'Meara pass test in footy return
Fremantle veteran Michael Walters got through his first WAFL appearance of the season unscathed as midfielder Jaeger O'Meara pushed for an instant recall to the AFL side. Walters has been sidelined since the start of the year with a persistent knee injury but showed no ill-affects as he made a rare appearance for Peel Thunder in their 35-point defeat to South Fremantle in Mandurah on Saturday. The 34-year-old was quiet compared to his lofty standards, collecting three disposals and five tackles under the watchful eye of Dockers coach Justin Longmuir and the coaching staff who would've been pleased to see the 2019 All-Australian run out a game. On limited minutes, Walters was not favoured by the heavy conditions down in Mandurah, which made scoring difficult for much of the game. Starting at half-forward, the veteran got into the game early as the Thunder kicked into a strong breeze. It was evident that Walters' leadership was having an impact, with the forward spending a lot of time directing teammates and setting up their structures around the ground. Walters picked up the speed of the game better in the second half, pushing up to the contest and then trying to expose South Fremantle defender Toby McQuilkin by working hard back to attack. The superstar spent time with fans after the match taking pictures and signing autographs despite the rain. O'Meara came back to where it all began in his first WAFL appearance for 5041 days, having last played in the state league as a 17-year-old for Perth. The Dockers midfielder is coming back from a hamstring and foot injury he sustained in the round six loss to Melbourne but didn't look like he skipped a beat. O'Meara was one of the best midfielders for the Thunder, finishing with 25 disposals, five tackles and team-high seven clearances in a strong display. The former Gold Coast and Hawthorn star made his debut in Mandurah in round 22 of 2011 where he caught the attention with four goals from 15 disposals. Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie is set for a stint on the sidelines after he sustained a concussion in the opening minutes of the contest. Defender Brandon Walker – who hasn't played since the Dockers' round two defeat to Sydney – was solid in defence, finishing with 10 touches and five tackles. Donning the long sleeves and No.88, Walker's defensive pressure was strong and there was some contests which would've seriously tested the strength of the repaired shoulder. Third-year defender High Davies was one of Peel's best, holding Bernie Naylor Medal leader Trey Ruscoe goalless in an excellent effort as he looks to add to the two games he played for Fremantle last year. Draftee Charlie Nicholls kicked consecutive goals for the second consecutive week in a strong performance early in his career.
West Australian
15-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
WAFL 2025: South Fremantle star Haiden Schloithe reveals league ambitions after successful return from cancer
South Fremantle champion Haiden Schloithe has revealed when he hopes to break back into the Bulldogs powerhouse league side after a remarkable return to football just months after being diagnosed with cancer. Schloithe collected 13 disposals, took seven marks and kicked a goal in limited gametime for the Bulldogs' reserves in their win over East Perth. It was an incredible performance from the Sandover medallist considering he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and is now in remission after three bouts of chemotherapy and surgery. Schloithe sparked emotional scenes when he kicked a goal midway through the second term in a fairytale moment at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. 'I was excited, nervous, anxious — a bit of everything really but more so excited that the day came around and I was able to have a run and a kick again. I got through unscathed which is great overall,' he told The West Australian. 'It (kicking that goal) was a feeling you can't really describe. It was pretty special, and I was willing it through and it only just did. 'There was a lot of emotion, the joy of getting back out there and the happiness as well as the boys all getting around me. It's a pretty special feeling, I will be forever grateful.' Schloithe said he would now look to play a full game in the reserves against Peel Thunder next weekend before targeting a league berth against Perth in round 12. The five-time fairest-and-best winner will undoubtedly only boost a powerful Bulldogs side that consolidated their spot on the top of the ladder with a thrilling 15.7 (97) to 12.15 (87) win over East Perth on Saturday. Schloithe said the prospect of another premiership to go with his 2020 grand final triumph helped drive him to return to football. 'It's one of the big reasons why I was so eager to get back, the boys are flying,' he said. 'This group's got something special, and we can do something special this year. I just witnessed a bloody cracking game of WAFL footy (in the win over the Royals). 'I'm chomping at the bit to, I really want to be back out there with the boys and helping the team get a win.' It comes as key recruit Trey Ruscoe took the lead in the race for the Bernie Naylor Medal on the back of a career-best seven goals against the Royals. Ruscoe now sits on 33 goals — three ahead of four-time winner in West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel.
