AFTER what can only be described as a raging success for Perth in its first WAFL Women’s season, the Demons are not resting on their laurels when it comes to natural improvement. The young side has gone hard at recruiting some massive names from across the country, including a couple of highly regarded VFLW players and some ex-AFLW players to help with the rise up the ladder.

Perth finished eighth in last year’s competition, winning three of the club’s 16 games. While it might not sound like much, the Demons became the first side to avoid the wooden spoon in its inaugural season. They also boasted a percentage of 55.03 which was higher than that of seventh placed Peel Thunder who only finished a win clear of the Demons.

Former AFLW player Jess Sedunary had done a great job setting up the club prior to her maternity leave, before club legend Rob Wiley stepped in to finish off the season as interim coach. The first of the major off-season coups was appointing East Fremantle premiership coach Steph Walding, who has the runs on the board from an on-field perspective, and is highly regarded amongst players off-field.

Then came the recruits.

PERTH OFF-SEASON RECRUITS

• Poppy Stockwell (South Fremantle/Fremantle AFLW)

• Evie Gooch (West Coast AFLW)

• Caitlyn Edwards (Collingwood AFLW/rugby)

• Amy Trindade (Carlton VFLW)

• Isla Baldwin (Box Hill VFLW)

• Alyssa Smogavec (South Fremantle)

• Brooke Whyte (Claremont)

The super six are headlined by a trio of ex-AFLW players, most recently Poppy Stockwell who spent a season on Fremantle’s list after coming in as an injury replacement player out of South Fremantle. She has crossed to the Demons alongside 21-year-old Alyssa Smogavec who impressed across her limited five games last season with the Bulldogs, averaging 16.6 disposals, 2.6 marks and 6.4 tackles, able to add some important defensive pressure.

Ex-West Coast defender Evie Gooch and inaugural Collingwood AFLW player Caitlyn Edwards add terrific experience and quality smarts to a young, developing side. While both have been out of the top flight for a little while – a long while in Edwards’ case who chose to pursue rugby – they are quality signings for a young club. Another veteran coming into the side is ex-Claremont forward Brooke Whyte who booted 20 goals in the 2022 WAFLW season, and though now 35, adds great experience.

The remaining two signings are a couple who West Australians might not know, but are genuine quality state-league signings. Both Amy Trindade and Isla Baldwin have AFLW qualities and it would not be a shock to see either added to a top flight list at some stage. Trindade was a late bloomer at the Calder Cannons where she was captain, before heading to Carlton. In her second VFLW season she had a breakout year, winning the club’s best and fairest this season.

Baldwin also comes out of Carlton VFLW where she finished runner-up in the best and fairest in her first season there. She crossed to Box Hill where the midfielder/forward continued to standout and really impressed with ball in hand.She is a clean ball user with good decision making abilities and can win the ball inside or outside. Trindade is similar, with great footballing smarts, and though on the smaller side, is tough and will add serious quality to the Demons’ midfield and even forward half.

Perth had some qualities players in 2025, but the experience gap between the Demons top few and the rest was telling in the end. Heading into 2026, the top-end talent has strengthened with the above six to join the likes of Holly Britton and Isabella Shannon – two more who have the qualities to make the next step – as well as Jorja Haines, Sienna Timmermans and Taya Strickland who are recent West Australian State Under 18s pathway players.

It has been an eye-catching statement from Perth, who were arguably the most enjoyable inaugural side to watch over the last few years. While the Demons will not quite have the experience of a Claremont, on paper Perth has a side that should at the very least compete for finals. If all goes well, it would not be a shock to see them in the post-season in year two, and that would be a massive achievement for the club.