WAFL 2025: Swan Districts swing axe despite growing injury list as son-of-a-gun set for West Perth debut

Swan Districts coach Andrew Pruyn has axed forward Brad Lynch despite a spate of injuries threatening to ensure the continuation of their winless start to the season. The Swans have been smashed on the personnel front this week, losing leading goalkicker Leigh Kohlmann (hamstring), key defender Jake Pasini (knee) and talented tall Evan Smith (quad) for their contest against Subiaco at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday night. Former Western Bulldog Lynch has been dropped after a goalless start to the season and has been replaced by Otis Harvey who will make his debut fresh off three majors in the reserves. Veteran defender Alex Howard, backman Sebastian Bright and ruckman Troy Yukich have joined Harvey into the team who have lost their first five games of the season for the first time in 23 years. Subiaco have made three changes, with Lachlan Henderson to miss with a leg injury while Jack Cooley and Ben Golding have been dropped in favour of Cade Abala, Corey Bellouard and Ky Franceschini. West Perth have handed son-of-a-gun Jayden Rigoll a debut for their crucial clash against Peel Thunder in Mandurah. Rigoll is the son of former skipper, dual premiership player and three-time Breckler medallist Kim Rigoll who also serves as the Falcons’ midfield coach. The teenager comes into the Falcons team alongside SANFL recruit Matt McKenzie and Conal Lynch to tackle the Thunder, replacing Zak Patterson (ankle), Mitchell Peirce (managed) and Sandon Page (omitted). Peel have been boosted by the inclusion of four Fremantle-listed players in Bailey Banfield, Nathan O’Driscoll, Oscar McDonald and Josh Draper, while talented midfielder Scott Tuia is back from injury. Neil Erasmus will also play despite being the sub for Fremantle in their loss to Collingwood on Thursday night. Former Adelaide-listed midfielder Ronin O’Connor will make his long-awaited return for Claremont when they take on South Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium. O’Connor has not played league football since round two of last season because of injury and form but has put together a string of strong performances in the reserves and replaces Josh Howard in the team. The Bulldogs have welcomed back veteran utility Zac Strom and teenage speedster Jaxon Artemis, with Solomon James and Jack Green dropped from the side that lost to West Coast last weekend. The Eagles’ backline has been depleted as they prepare to take on an unchanged East Perth at Mineral Resources Park. Luckless defender Callum Jamieson is out with a hamstring injury, while Sandy Brock joined Tom Gross, Harvey Johnston and Bailey Williams on the plane to Melbourne for AFL duties. Perth recruit Brandan Parfitt is back from a hamstring concern as the Demons look to make it five-consecutive wins when they go up against East Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park. Parfitt, Tarkyn Brogan-Henry and Jed Kemp come into the team for former Geelong midfielder Sam Simspon (hamstring), Daniel Hill (knee) and Liam Dellamarta (omitted). Sharks forward Jed Hagan returns from suspension, replacing James Spadanuda in the team.