Liam Ryan boots goal in first AFL action in more than a year, while Logan McDonald slots three in win

In his first game of AFL action this season, former Rover and West Coast premiership forward Liam Ryan booted his first goal since round two in 2023.

The Eagles player made his season debut in West Coast’s 17.10 (112) to 12.3 (75) loss to the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday after two games in the WAFL from a preseason hamstring injury that set him back.

In his first game back, Ryan was kept quiet on the stat sheet for a large part of the game, but was applying pressure around the ball.

Late in the game, he snapped the ball across his body to finally kick a goal.

Ryan played managed time in his return, with 71 per cent time on ground, but will probably see his role expanded as he gets more comfortable back in the side.

His teammate and close friend Tyler Brockman looked a chance to kick a goal as well with a set shot, but could not finish the job. He is still yet to kick a goal this season.

Northampton’s Jamie Cripps remains consistent with his goal kicking, slotting another two in the 37-point loss to Gold Coast, putting his season total at 10.

One player with experience in the Mid West who has been lethal on goal is former Coorow-Latham Magpie Logan McDonald, who kicked 3.3 in Sydney Swans’ 18.10 (118) to 5.12 (42) win over Hawthorn on Sunday.

The Swans demolished the Hawks as McDonald continued his top form, sitting at seventh in the Coleman Medal race with 16 goals.

Fremantle also managed to get over their losing streak with a 14.11 (95) to 10.11 (71) win over the Bulldogs at home on Saturday.

Dongara’s Jaeger O’Meara had one of his best games of the season in the win, with 16 disposals, two marks and one tackle.

The Blues were unable to tame the Cats despite Northampton’s Patrick Cripps putting up another big effort in the loss.

The captain kicked two goals for the first time this season along with 29 disposals, four marks, six tackles, eight clearances and a goal assist.

Chapman Valley’s Jack Carroll was in the starting 22 after coming off as the sub in the past few games.

Carroll came up kicking 1.1, with seven disposals, two marks, one tackle and a goal assist.