The WAFL Eagles have named Jack Eastough and Shannon Lucassen as co-captains for the 2025 season, supported by vice-captains Harley Sparks and Andries Mercer.

After joining the Eagles ahead of the 2022 season, small forward Eastough has gone on to play 38 games in the blue and gold.

The 23-year-old Geraldton Rovers product was elevated into the leadership group ahead of the 2024 season, but a foot injury saw him suit up for just nine games.

Lucassen signed on with the Eagles for the 2023 season and finished the past two seasons as the team’s leading goalkicker.

Hailing from North Beach, Lucassen was also named the WAFL Development Player of the Year at the 2024 John Worsfold Medal count.

Reigning WAFL Eagles Fairest and Best Sparks and former Perth product Mercer round out the leadership for the upcoming season.

Senior coach Kyal Horsley enters his second season at the helm, supported by Head of Football John Worsfold and WAFL Eagles Football Manager Steve Trewhella.

West Coast premiership captain Shannon Hurn (backline) has come on board as an assistant coach, alongside Jacob Brennan (forwards) and Oliver Condon (midfield).

Condon joins the team after spending time with the Oakleigh Chargers in Victoria’s Coates Talent League in 2024, after five seasons as an assistant coach for the Sydney Swans in their VFL and Academy program.  

A new-look WAFL squad will be suiting up in 2025, following the departure of captain Jackson Nelson, former Collingwood defender Trey Ruscoe and former GWS rookie Jason Gillbee.

A number of experienced players have been recruited, with an emphasis on balancing out the age differential amongst the developing team.

New signings include Caleb Datsun and Thomas Edwards-Baldwin, both players bringing WAFL premiership experience to the fold.

“The strategy this season was to add some experience into the WAFL program to help complement the on-field development of the club’s AFL listed players,” Trewhella said.

“We are very pleased to have secured Caleb Datson from South Fremantle, who comes with eight years of senior football experience and was a member of the Bulldog’s 2020 premiership team.

“Caleb brings versatility to the group, with the ability to play in several roles across the ground.

“Midfielder Thomas Edwards-Baldwin has played with both Subiaco and East Perth, tasting premiership success in 2019 with the Lions.

“He brings great knowledge and leadership to the team and has been impressive over the pre-season. 

“Additional recruits including James Ewing (Peel Thunder and Perth), Jack Walsh (East Fremantle ), Zac Dronow (Mt Lawley), Max Mumme (Claremont) and Denholm Melrose (Swan Districts) will also be players to watch this season.”

The WAFL Eagles will player their second pre-season game on Saturday, facing Peel Thunder at Mineral Resources Park, with bouncedown at 12:10pm.

2025 WAFL Eagles