WAFL 2025: Claremont finally regain captain Declan Mountford from shoulder injury for clash against Subiaco

Claremont captain Declan Mountford will make his long-awaited comeback from a shoulder injury as coach Ash Prescott swung the axe in the wake of their loss to ladder-leaders South Fremantle earlier this month. Mountford has been named for his first league game since round three, called up alongside defender Declan Hardisty and young key forward Riley Disisto to take on Subiaco at Revo Fitness Stadium. Their inclusions have come at the expense of former vice-captain and Adeliade-listed midfielder Ronin O’Connor as well as Tyron Smallwood and Mitch Barron who have all been dropped from the side that lost to the Bulldogs by 27 points before the bye. Subiaco will play for the first time since the shock resignation of dual premiership coach Beau Wardman on Thursday night. Caretaker coach Nigel Hamilton faces a tough task in his first game at the helm having lost leading goalkicker Ryan Borchet to a neck injury. Defender and last year’s fairest and best Galen Savigni has been recalled, while ruckman Kody Eaton will play for the first time since round four. East Fremantle will get a chance to put some valuable breathing space between them and Peel Thunder inside the top five when the clash at The Good Grocer Park. The Sharks have opened the door for both the reigning premiers and West Perth to make a late run for finals after losing four of their past five games. Premiership star Harry Marsh is back after overcoming a hamstring injury, while defender Michael Tassone returns from a concussion with Austin Hodge and Harry Pickett making way. Peel’s midfield has been significantly strengthened on the back of premiership midfielders Neil Erasmus and Will Brodie as well as fellow Fremantle-listed player Isaiah Dudley all being named. Brandon Walker is out because of AFL duties, while Joshua Mathey has an ankle injury and Dockers pair Jaren Carr and Jack Delean have been forced out. Perth have named a debutant in ruckman Tristan Jacques for their contest against Swan Districts at Mineral Resources Park. Jacques has earned a call up after averaging 12 disposals and more than 33 hit-outs in the reserves, while Tarkyn Brogan-Henry also comes in with Brodie Gray and Angus Luers dropped. An injury-hit Swan Districts have lost important defender Will Collins to a knee injury with the former West Coast rookie ruled out at training on Thursday night. In-form midfielder Josh Cipro will miss with an ankle complaint and recruit Caleb Ernst has re-injured his troublesome hamstring after only one league game at his new club. They have resisted the urge to rush back former Fremantle midfielder Connor Blakely from a hamstring injury, instead recalling defender Brenton Hilton as well as Brodyn Fitzgerald and Luke Kelly to tackle the Demons.