WAFL 2026 Fixtures: Peel Thunder and East Perth to host blockbuster Good Friday blockbusters in round one

The WAFL will use a pair of Good Friday blockbusters — including the return of premiership coach Jarrad Schofield to Subiaco — to launch its season next year. Peel Thunder will host East Fremantle in Mandurah that afternoon before East Perth and Leederville Oval co-tenants Subiaco clash under lights in a twilight fixture on April 3. Schofield officially returns to the helm of the powerhouse club after eight seasons, taking back the reins as coach after his exit from an assistant coaching role at West Coast. And the three-time premiership coach won’t be the only fresh face for the club, with former Eagle Jack Petruccelle joining him at the den alongside several recruits including former Richmond-listed defender Jacob Blight as well as the return of spearhead Ben Sokol. Schofield is looking to build the club back up the ladder after a ninth-place finish in 2025 on the back of only four wins. Meanwhile, the Royals will be hoping to unveil former Hawthorn and Geelong midfielder Cooper Stephens who missed all of his first season at the WAFL club with an ACL injury. A massive crowd is set to hit Lane Group Stadium in what could be Mason Cox’s WAFL debut, with the Collingwood premiership ruckman a chance to line up for the Thunder after he was recruited by their AFL affiliate Fremantle. Peel have been on a strong recruiting drive as well bringing in VFL products Bailey Reeves (Brisbane) and Lachie Tardrew (Collingwood), while Taj Wyburd has returned from Geelong’s VFL team. The Sharks have added quality as well in former Essendon midfielder Oskar Smartt, having been knocked out in this year’s elimination final. Perth’s pursuit of consecutive finals series for the first time in nearly 50 years will begin when they take on West Coast’s WAFL side as one of three games on Saturday, April 4. The Demons, led by co-captain and 2025 Sandover medallist Charlie Constable, have further bolstered the team that made the semifinal this season, adding Sydney wingman Indhi Kirk as the marquee signing. Swan Districts will host reigning premiers South Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval, while West Perth will begin their season against Claremont up in Joondalup. The WAFLW season will begin on the last weekend of March with the headline act to be a derby clash between South Fremantle and East Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The round - with days to be confirmed - will also feature a grand final rematch between premiers Claremont against Swan Districts at Revo Fitness Stadium with the Dhara Kerr Cup on the line. Meanwhile, there will be a double header in Leederville with East Perth hosting Peel Thunder and Subiaco taking on West Perth, while Perth have the bye. WA Football head of WAFL competitions Luke Sanders said both competitions offered an exciting start to their respective seasons. “Supporters of all clubs look forward to the announcement of the Round 1 fixtures and the excitement a new season brings,” Sanders said. “Having the WAFLW season begin on the last weekend of March and the Sullivan Logistics WAFL competition launching over the Easter Weekend provides fans with a feast of local footy to kick-start 2026.” WAFL ROUND ONE FIXTURE 2026 (TIMES TBC) Friday, April 3 Peel Thunder v East Fremantle, Lane Group Stadium East Perth v Subiaco, Sullivan Logistics Stadium Saturday, April 4 West Perth v Claremont, HIF Health Insurance Oval Swan Districts v South Fremantle, Steel Blue Oval Perth v West Coast, Mineral Resources Park WAFLW Round One Fixtures (Weekend of March 28-29, TIMES TBC) Claremont v Swan Districts, Revo Fitness Stadium East Perth v Peel Thunder, Sullivan Logistics Stadium Subiaco v West Perth, Sullivan Logistics Stadium South Fremantle v East Fremantle, Fremantle Community Oval