From cameos to surprise additions and long-term stars returning home, we take a look at the top-30 biggest names playing country footy in WA in 2025. 

Dane Swan: York, Avon

The AFL Hall of Famer and former Collingwood champion is playing a one-off game for York in the Avon league on Saturday 24 May which is sure to be well attended.

Matthew Pavlich: Beverley, Avon

Another legendary name having a kick in WA’s country competitions this season, the Fremantle goal-kicking great turned media personality is making a cameo for Beverley later this season as part of a sponsor promotion.

Nathan Wilson: South Mandurah, Peel

The former Dockers and Giants speedster has signed in the Peel Football League with South Mandurah since retiring from the WAFL last season. Recently won best-afield honours during Belt Up Round to show he’s still got it and leads the Peel competition’s goal-kicking with 20 majors.

Patrick Ambrose: Mukinbudin, Central Wheatbelt

The former Essendon Bomber has popped up in the Central Wheatbelt where he’s been playing for Mukinbudin and helped the team surge up the ladder after a lean couple of seasons.

Blaine Boekhorst: Dampier, North Pilbara

A former first-round AFL draft pick at Carlton who more recently won a Sandover Medal with East Fremantle, Boekhorst has returned to his home region of the Pilbara since returning from the WAFL where he’s become a more-than-handy addition to NPFL powerhouse Dampier Sharks.

Kayle Kirby: Wickepin, Upper Great Southern

The former Collingwood forward has been a surprise addition to WA country footy ranks this season. Kirby has shown he’s still got plenty of tricks, starring for Wickepin in the Upper Great Southern.

Brett Peake: Albany Sharks, Great Southern

The remarkable post-AFL country career of Brett Peake continues in the Great Southern. The former Docker and Saint is defying age

Brandon Matera: Bencubbin, Central Wheatbelt

The former Fremantle and Gold Coast livewire has linked up with his brother Bailey in the Central Wheatbelt in recent times after a post-AFL stint together at Subiaco.

Tom Lee: Quairading, Avon

The ex-St Kilda and Claremont forward has been a dominant force in the Avon competition for several seasons where he’s playing-coach of Quairading.

Ben Sokol: Centrals, Peel

The Subiaco great, who won a pair of Bernie Naylor Medals to go with a Simpson Medal, has started well in his debut season in the Peel competition, sitting second in the goal-kicking with 15 majors.

Blaine Johnson: South Bunbury, South West

The former Carlton forward and South Fremantle gun is still kicking bags in the country for South West powerhouse South Bunbury.

Gerald Ugle: Railways, Goldfields

A two-time Peel Thunder premiership captain and former GWS Giants player, Ugle has been an important addition to Railways’ line-up.

Fraser McInnes: York, Avon

The popular former West Coast big man and Perth Demons skipper kicked four goals for York against Cunderdin earlier this month in his only game for the season to date.

Luke English: Collie, South West

The former Richmond rookie was an integral part of East Fremantle’s 2023 WAFL premiership. Has taken his talent and ball-winning ability to the South West where he’s one of the premier midfielders in the comp.

Rhys Palmer: Kalgoorlie City, Goldfields

The former AFL Rising Star winner has been a semi-regular for Kalgoorlie City in the Goldfields over the past few seasons after finishing up his AFL and WAFL careers.

Josh Bootsma: North Albany, Great Southern

The former Carlton defender and Peel Thunder premiership star was set to be a massive addition to North Albany’s side this season alongside his brother Jayden, but unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury on debut.

Jayden Schofield: Chapman Valley, Great Northern

The former Western Bulldogs rookie and East Fremantle star has returned to his home town of Geraldton since his WAFL career came to an end. Outside of this, Schofield has recently joined WA Football to serve the Country Football WA team as the Midwest Regional Football Specialist.

Jesse Crichton: Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault, South West

The former Dockers cult hero has called the SWFL home since calling time on his WAFL career where he’s built quite the country footy resume.

Josh Simpson: Mullewa, Great Northern

The former Fremantle goalsneak is still a force in the GNFL, where he’s been playing for several seasons.

Brad Holmes: South Mandurah, Peel

The former Peel Thunder spearhead is still kicking bags in the Peel region.

Jacob Dragovich: Centrals, Peel

The big-bodied former South Fremantle midfielder has been a fine addition to the Peel league.

Gerrick Weedon: Derby Tigers, West Kimberley

Weedon, an ex-West Coast player, has been playing in the Kimberley for quite a while.

Isaiah Butters: Derby Tigers, West Kimberley

Butters has returned to the Kimberley since a stint with the Dockers where he’s teamed up with Weedon

Joel Houghton: Bunbury, South West

The former Fremantle-listed tall has been a star of the SWFL for several seasons.

Gordon Narrier: Wongan-Ballidu, Mortlock

A former North Melbourne rookie and Perth Demons product who’s still having an impact.

Rory O’Brien: Carey Park, South West

The former WAFL champion has continued to dominate since joining the SWFL.

Matt Martin: Carey Park, South West

The former Port Adelaide rookie has an impressive country footy CV, mainly in the South West.

Rohan Kerr: Pinjarra, Peel

The former Carlton player turned prolific WAFL midfielder has been a force for Pinjara for several seasons.

Durak Tucker: Bunbury, South West

The former Sydney Swans rookie and East Fremantle defender is back where he started in Bunbury.

Tom Gorter: South Bunbury, South West

Another former AFL rookie running around in the South West, the ex-West Coast defender is a consistent contributor for South Bunbury.