WAFL TOP 40: Mitchell Woodcock counts down the league’s best of the best ahead of 2026 season

Who’s the king of the WAFL - and who are the contenders to the throne? The West Australian’s WAFL expert Mitchell Woodcock takes a look at the best 40 players ahead of this week’s opening round. 40. Zac Mainwaring, Claremont (New) The son-of-a-gun looks set for more midfield minutes and is already a dangerous forward. 39. Noah Pegoraro, West Perth (New) Back at the Falcons where he can play as a lockdown defender or even a reliable third tall forward. 38. Zane Trew, Swan Districts (Last year: 11) Injury ruined his first season back at the Swans, but should be set for a big year now he’s fit. 37. Shane Nelson, West Perth (Last year: 25) The veteran continues to rack up the footy, averaging 27 disposals last season. 36. Max Minear, Claremont (New) An excellent defender with great closing speed and smart decision making. 35. Kane Bevan, West Perth (New) Put himself on the draft radar as an explosive midfielder, but needs to become more potent in front of goals. 34. Cam Eardley, East Fremantle (Last year: 26) Still a standard bearer as a rebounding defender who reads the play well. 33. Angus Scott, East Perth (Last year: 33) The workhorse of the Royals outfit, Scott is one of those players that does his job week in, week out. 32. Jack Sears, Peel Thunder (Last year: 35) Is the Thunder’s Mr Versatile and has been rewarded for his consistency with the captaincy. 31. Harrison Macreadie, East Perth (Last year: 38) The big Royals defender is a nightmare for the best key forwards in the league. 30. Zac Guadagnin, West Perth (Last year: 23) Still one of the best defenders in the comp. The reliable Falcon can shut down a tall or a small forward. 29. Indhi Kirk, Perth (New) The son of Sydney great Brett has transformed himself into an inside midfielder at the Demons and is impressing many. 28. Jack Mayo, Subiaco (New) Won the Lions’ fairest and best, can play all over the ground and is only getting better with age. 27. Isiah Winder, South Fremantle (Last year: 14) The goalkicking midfielder showed in last year’s grand final just how dangerous he can be. 26. Tom Joyce, East Fremantle (New) Will have to stand up in the absence of Milan Murdock, but continues to grow each year at the Sharks. 25. Luke Meadows, West Perth (Last year: 18) Injury soured his 2025 campaign but is still the best midfielder at the Falcons for now. 24. Kyle Baskerville, East Fremantle (Last year: 20) Without his partner in crime in Murdock, it will be interesting to see if the Sharks skipper returns to the midfield. 23. Blake Schlensog, Perth (New) Played as a part-time ruckman, part-time forward last year, but expect him to partner Aaron Clarke, who will be a tough match-up down back. 22. Ethan Hughes, South Fremantle (Last year: 32) Was the missing piece for the Bulldogs premiership last year with his experience in defence. 21. Jaiden Hunter, Claremont (New) Is coming off a faultless pre-season for the first time in a long time, so it is exciting to see how good the big forward can be. 20. Jack Petruccelle, Subiaco (New) The former West Coast forward has pace to burn at the Lions and will thrive in the state league. 19. Jake Florenca, South Fremantle (New) Among an incredible set of midfielders at the Bulldogs. Florenca is a great two-way worker. 18. Scott Jones, East Perth (Last year: 36) Was arguably the player of the finals last year and had Royals won the premiership he might’ve had a Simpson Medal. A stellar ruckman. 17. Aaron Clarke, Perth (Last year: 10) The key forward should be even better with a more potent midfield delivering him the footy. 16. Callan England, Claremont (Last year: 6) Injury hindered his output last year, but the 2024 Sandover medallist looks ready to run again this season. 15. Greg Clark, Subiaco (Last year: 3) Should thrive under coach Jarrad Schofield. Watch out for Clark to lead from the front. 14. Jacob Blight, Subiaco (New) Returns after a stint at Richmond as a more powerful and simply better footballer. 13. Jye Chalcraft, Swan Districts (Last year: 8) The powerful midfielder would’ve been higher on this list if not for a foot injury that is set to sideline him for the first month or more. 12. Trey Ruscoe, South Fremantle (Last year: 17) Transformed himself into a dangerous forward to play a pivotal part in a premiership. 11. Tyler Keitel, West Perth (Last year: 13) Continues to be the best forward in the WAFL but added a ruck element to his game last season. 10. Charlie Dean, Perth (New) Unlucky to be delisted by Collingwood, there is a lot of expectation on Dean to star in defence for the Demons. 9. Bailey Rogers, Claremont (Last year: 15) Back to full strength last season, Rogers displayed why he is still among the best players in the WAFL. 8. Tom Blechynden, South Fremantle (New) The perfect complement to Matthew Parker, Blechynden is so composed in the contests. 7. Jesse Turner, Swan Districts (Last year: 12) One of the most consistent players in the WAFL, the wingman just never seems to stop running. 6. Brandan Parfitt, Perth (Last year: 1) Didn’t disappoint in his first season in the WAFL and after spending all summer in the NTFL, he could be even more dangerous. 5. Tom North, East Perth (New) Had a breakout season as a midfielder last season and could build on that even further. 4. Oliver Eastland, Claremont (Last year: 2) The best mobile ruckman in the league. He can tear a team apart as an extra midfielder. 3. Hamish Brayshaw, East Perth (Last year: 7) Rebounded from a rough 2024 to be back to his best last season and looks ready to go again. 2. Matthew Parker, South Fremantle (Last year: 9) The ultimate attacking midfielder who simply destroys teams at the clearances and in front of goals. 1. Charlie Constable, Perth (Last year: 4) The reigning Sandover medallist put together a career-best season and expect a better output with more talent around him. OUT FROM LAST YEAR’S LIST (*= no longer playing WAFL) Listed by last year’s ranking