WAFL 2025 Season Marks Historic Milestones with New Sponsorship and Broadcasting Deal

A New Era for Western Australian Football

The 2025 West Australian Football League (WAFL) season, marking its 141st year, commenced on April 5 and will conclude on September 21. The league has entered a new chapter with Sullivan Logistics becoming its primary naming rights sponsor, the first such partnership since 2021.

Season Structure and Broadcasting Innovation

The competition features 20 home-and-away rounds, followed by a four-week finals series, with the grand final set to be played at Optus Stadium. A significant development in broadcasting has seen Saturday night fixtures regularly scheduled on free-to-air television through Seven, complementing the AFL’s new broadcast arrangement which moved all Saturday matches to pay-TV.

Recent Achievements and Milestones

South Fremantle has achieved a significant milestone by securing the Rodriguez Shield for the first time since 2016. This prestigious shield, introduced in 1957, recognizes excellence across all levels of competition, rewarding the team with the best combined performance in league, reserves, and colts levels.

Perth Football Club has emerged as the competition’s feel-good story, securing their first finals victory this century. The Demons achieved a memorable 29-point victory in the Elimination Final against East Fremantle, marking only their second finals appearance since 1997. Aaron Clarke played a crucial role in this historic win, contributing six goals as Perth dominated the second half with ten goals to four.

Future Prospects and Development

The WAFL has established itself as a crucial tier below the AFL, maintaining its competitive edge through a combination of returning AFL players and emerging talent. Operating as a semi-professional competition with a salary cap of A$245,000, the WAFL maintains the third-highest salary cap in Australian rules football, following the AFL and SANFL.