4 THOUGHTS - WEDNESDAY (30.09.2026)

Mark Duffield (0:00)

487 736 736 is the text line. 1312 55 is the Barra and Doday open line. Barra and Doday, because the little things are everything.

Let's get on to four thoughts on sport to get us rolling this morning. And thought one is on the first group of teenagers named by the Tassie Devils as their preselected youngsters getting ready to play in the VFL next year, ahead of the Devils entry to the AFL in 2028

And East Perth's Axel Walsh spearheads that group. And we saw Axel make his league debut in the Waffle final series. He was pivotal in the final term of East Perth's come from behind win over Perth in a first semifinal. And he showcased Ruckworth that was nothing short of spectacular against the well-credentialed Oli Eastland in a preliminary final against Clermont. It is understood that Axel Walsh will earn himself $150,000 next year as a reward for heading to Tasmania a year early. It's a shame we won't have a season of him strutting himself in the Waffle, but we wish him very well. Second thought on Bailey Banfield. Of course, we heard him on Breakfast a little earlier. He's one of four players told by Freemantle they will not be offered contracts in 2027

Sam Sturt, Ollie Murphy and Ryder Luke were also cut. Injury ruined any chance of Sturt re-establishing himself in the team after a partial tear to his ACL sidelined him for pretty much all of this season. But Banfield's career as an AFL player is more than worthy. He managed 119 games over his nine seasons in the competition. He started life as an AFL player tagging under Ross Lyon. He became a pressure forward under Justin Longmuir, and he played in an elimination final last year as a halfback. If getting the most out of yourself is the measure of success in footy, Banfield can walk away with his head held high.

Third thought, on the first bit of good news the Dockers have had since the dying minutes of Saturday's grand final, skipper Alex Pearce's scans have revealed that he will not require surgery on his achilles. Pearce suffered a partial tear of the achilles and a significant calf injury. He is expected to rejoin teammates for at least part of the preseason. He may even be available for round one. Very good news for the Dockers. And finally, fourth thought, which comes out of the Pearce update, will the Dockers feel the need to add to their defensive stocks, or will they trust the ability of Pearce and Brennan Cox to be durable next year and the ability of Hugh Davies and or Josh Draper to step into AFL roles if the big guns are injured? If you were free, oh, would you be bringing in a Nathan Broad or would you be sticking with what you have? Give us your thoughts and questions on any or all of that. 487 736 736 is our text line. 1312 55 is the Bower and O'Day open line. Bower and O'Day because the little things are everything. After the break, we'll be talking about a massive AFLW derby coming up at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Sunday afternoon between Freemantle trying to hang on to their spot in the 8, and West Coast trying to take it off them. We'll be chatting to Lisa Webb, the Freemantle Dockers AFLW coach. Made in WA for WA. This is Mornings with Mark Duffield on SENWA.