With the 2025 AFL season now in the rear-view mirror, the focus for West Australian football fans shifts sharply to the future. For both the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers, the upcoming pre-season represents a critical juncture for several players whose careers and club fortunes hang in the balance.
West Coast Eagles: Veterans and Youth Under the Microscope
The Eagles, after another challenging campaign, are at a pivotal point in their rebuild. The development of their young core is paramount, but so is the output from experienced campaigners. All eyes will be on how certain individuals approach the gruelling summer months.
Key defender Tom Barrass faces a defining period. After an injury-interrupted 2025, his leadership and presence in defence are non-negotiable for a team looking to solidify its backline. A full and robust pre-season is essential for him to return to his All-Australian calibre.
Similarly, midfielder Elliot Yeo must prove his body can withstand the rigours of AFL football once more. His explosive power and experience are invaluable, but consistency and availability have been issues. The upcoming pre-season is his chance to lay a foundation for a full season of impact.
For young gun Reuben Ginbey, the time for potential is over. The powerful midfielder needs a massive summer to add polish to his obvious physical gifts and cement his spot in the engine room. His development is central to West Coast's midfield resurgence.
Fremantle Dockers: Delivering on Promise
Fremantle enters the off-season with finals expectations unmet, placing pressure on several players to elevate their output. The pre-season will be a proving ground for talent that has shown flashes but needs to find another level.
Forward Jye Amiss is the focal point of Fremantle's attack, and after a solid yet not spectacular 2025, a big pre-season could be the catalyst for a breakout goalkicking year. Building strength and endurance will be key to him wrestling games away from opponents.
The Dockers' ruck division also faces scrutiny. The partnership and individual development of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson continues to be a talking point. A focused pre-season for both, potentially defining roles and synergy, could unlock Fremantle's midfield dominance.
Speedster Liam Henry finds himself at a career crossroads. Possessing elite skill and pace, he needs a dedicated and impactful summer to force his way into Justin Longmuir's best 22 and deliver on his undoubted potential.
The Stakes for 2026 and Beyond
The work done in the 2025 pre-season will directly shape the trajectory of both clubs for the 2026 AFL season and beyond. For West Coast, it's about accelerating the rebuild and climbing the ladder with purpose. For Fremantle, it's about converting a talented list into consistent finals contention.
Players who dominate the track over summer often carry that form into the home-and-away season. The conditioning, skill drills, and tactical setups implemented between now and March are the building blocks for success. For the ten players highlighted across both clubs, this period is more than just training; it's an audition for their future role and a chance to directly influence their team's destiny.
As the Perth heat rises, so too will the intensity at Mineral Resources Park and Cockburn ARC. The decisions made, the metres run, and the standards set in this pre-season will write the opening chapter of the 2026 story for the Eagles and Dockers.
