WAFL 2025: Soreness sidelines South Fremantle forward Trey Ruscoe for Bulldogs’ clash against Swan Districts

Ladder-leaders South Fremantle have rested star spearhead Trey Ruscoe as they look to keep their keep their key forward fresh in pursuit of the premiership. Ruscoe (sorness) will join former West Coast speedster Jamaine Jones (ribs) in missing the Bulldogs’ clash with Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday, but both are expected to take on Subiaco when the side return from the bye in a fortnight. The former Collingwood defender has been a revelation since joining South Fremantle this year, kicking 34 goals in 12 games to sit second behind four-time Bernie Naylor medallist Tyler Keitel. Ashton Ferreira has been dropped, with Bulldogs midfielder Kyle Russell to play his first league game of the season after battling several injuries through the start of the year. Exciting forward Cooper Clarke-Dehring will also get another chance after he was the unlucky one to make way for the returning Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe last weekend, while running half-back Toby Dodds has been named to play his first league game of 2025. Swan Districts will unveil their eighth debutant for the season with key defender Caleb Ernt named to take on the Bulldogs, replacing Brenton Hilton (omitted). Enst was recruited just before the June 30 deadline from Coburg, with the 196cm defender returning after he injured his hamstring at training last month. Boorloo (Perth) have lost former Geelong midfielder Sam Simpson to calf soreness as they prepare to tackle arch-rivals East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium. Simpson has played only seven games this season because of a series of soft tissue injuries, but his latest setback is understood to be minor. The midfielder joins spearhead Aaron Clarke on the sidelines after the big forward was a late out ahead of the Demons’ win against East Fremantle because of a calf injury with scans earlier this week meaning he will be a week-to-week proposition. Perth have welcomed back midfielders Corey Byrne, Brodie Gray and Austin Davis for the bumper clash. East Perth have dropped forward Mitch Schofield as they look to go smaller in attack because of the expected wet conditions, with Riley Saunders called up. West Perth have named three debutants for their clash against the last-placed West Coast up in Joondalup on Saturday evening. Draft prospects Jacob Farrow and Sam Swadling will play league football for the Falcons for the first time, while 20-year-old midfielder Matt Galjaardt has also earned a call up after a string of strong performances in the reserves.