East Fremantle’s early exit from last year’s finals series has provided plenty of motivational fuel ahead of the 2026 Sullivan Logistics WAFL season.
Bill Monaghan began his journey with the club in 2019 and led the side to a drought breaking premiership in 2023.
With two seasons left on his contract Monaghan has the appetite for a second flag.
“A new year presents new challenges, but we have trained well over the summer, the players are in good condition and with some tweaks in personnel, positions and game plan we are excited for the challenge ahead,” Monaghan said.
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East Fremantle finished in fourth position last year with 11 wins and seven losses but were bundled out in the Elimination Final against Perth at The Good Grocer Park.
“We have some turnover again, but we think that our top end is still good,” Monaghan said.
“So, if they can be at their best, stay healthy and we get improvement, which is the key, particularly from our young guys and recruits then we believe that we can challenge.
“We are really looking forward to seeing the growth in Zach Rankin, Griffin Vladich, Kobe Austin, Luke Carrello, Oliver McManus, Tom Phillips and Phoenix Knight to name just a few.
“Then we have the experience Kyle Baskerville, Harrison and Jono Marsh, Lachlan Bailey, Lennon Marlin, Cam Eardley, Tom Joyce and Jarrad Jansen.
The key departure came late in the off season with Milan Murdock given an opportunity at AFL level with the West Coast Eagles.
“First and foremost, it’s fantastic that Milan has been given an opportunity, and we know that he will do everything in his power to get an AFL game, the Sharks coach said.
“He is an absolute ripper and we wish him well.
“Milan’s SSP selection along with Mitch Zadow, Lachy Blakiston in last year’s mid-season draft and Brynn Teakle the year before show that if players are prepared to work hard and keep improving then anything is possible.
“East Fremantle as a club has had a great drafting record over the years and we must be doing something right with our current football program, S&C program and the cultural strength of the group.
“Given the number of players we have had taken in the SSP and mid-season draft over the last few years it validates what we are doing.
“Hopefully there are a few players out there with drafting aspirations who see that and want to join us.”
The Sharks open their season with a traditional Good Friday match against Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium.
“A healthy Fremantle list with a few games under their belt along with the Peel lads always pose a great challenge, but even more so in Round 1,” he said.
“It is a good early test but one we will attack head on and see where we are at.”
East Fremantle
2025 finish: 5th
Coach: Bill Monaghan (eighth season)
Captain: Kyle Baskerville (second season)
Ins: Toby Alker (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs/AFL Sydney), Eric Benning (Claremont/WAFL), Joel Budarick (Eaglehawk/Bendigo), Nathan Dowsett (Palmerston/Northern Territory FL), Liam Robinson (Norwood/SANFL), Oskar Smartt (Essendon/AFL)
Outs: Milan Murdock (West Coast/AFL), Thomas Bennett (retired), Finn Gorringe (retired), Jed Hagan (Tasmania/VFL), Cody Leggett (retired), Milan Murdock (West Coast/AFL), Michael Tassone (retired), Darcy Wills (Peel Thunder/WAFL), Mitch Zadow (Port Adelaide/AFL)