The 2018 Western Australian Football League (WAFL) season is underway, with last year’s grand finalists delivering a powerful first round statement.

Two games on Good Friday kicked-off proceedings, with Peel Thunder facing East Fremantle at Rushton Park in Mandurah, followed by Subiaco holding its traditional marquee match against East Perth at Leederville.

After a disappointing 2017, the Sharks started off the new season more competitively, but ultimately came up short against a side stacked with Fremantle-listed talent, with the Thunder winning 11.12 (78) to 9.9 (63). Dropped Docker Danyle Pearce was exceptional in the Peel midfield, accumulating 32 disposals and six marks, while Gerrard Ugle was a livewire in the Thunder forward line, kicking an equal game-high three goals. For the Sharks, Jayden Schofield had a game high 33 disposals, George Hampson was next best with 25, while Sean Fletcher looked comfortable in the Sharks forward line with three goals.

In the second Good Friday game, Subiaco annihilated East Perth with a 29.14 (188) to 10.10 (70) victory. Former Gold Coast Sun and Lions captain Kyle Horsley led the way for Subiaco with 27 disposals, while Bradley Stevenson stamped himself as a player to watch with a seven goal haul. In a dim night for the Royals, Eagles listed player Mark Hutchings was a shinning light with 29 disposals, while another Eagle, Brayden Ainsworth, collected 24 disposals to continue his push for an AFL debut.

Saturday afternoon saw football head to Joondalup with West Perth taking on Claremont at HBF Stadium. In a tight affair, a more experienced Falcons outfit proved a class above a youthful Claremont side, winning 14.9 (93) to 12.3 (75). The 2014 Sandover Medallist Aaron Black was phenomenal for West Perth, amassing 40 disposals and 16 tackles in a commanding performance, while Rudy Riddoch and Tyson Moulton shared three goals apiece. For the Tigers, returning club favourite and 2012 Sandover Medallist Kane Mitchell marked his first league game for the club after a four-year stint with Port Adelaide with a 41 disposal game, while veteran key forward Beau Maister kicked three goals in a solid performance.

The final game of round one saw Perth host Swan Districts at Lathlain Oval, with the Demons succumbing to the Black and Whites 10.7 (67) to 16.16 (112). For Swan Districts, Rhys Palmer showed why he will be in contention for this year’s Sandover Medal after gathering 29 touches and three goals, while former Brisbane Lion Todd Banfield was at his brilliant best kicking three goals. Former Claremont midfielder Corey Yeo showed promise in the Demons loss, collecting 29 disposals in his first game for the club, while Spencer White kicked a game high four goals.