State League Kings: The best performances from the WAFL, VFL and SANFL after AFL’s Round 4

The state leagues are in full swing – so who’s started the year with a bang? From draft smokies to local footy graduates, we’ve got the exclusive stats on every player.

Werribee star Dom Brew did everything in his power to drag his side over the line against the club that overlooked him, producing the best VFL game on record this year.

In the third round of the VFL, Brew ran riot, tallying 32 disposals, 20 of which were contested, 16 tackles, 14 clearances and seven inside 50s in Werribee’s four-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

The 27-year-old trained with the Bulldogs earlier this year, following a career-best season in 2024 when he won the Liston Trophy as the best player in the VFL by nine votes. But a mid-season draft fairytale might still be on the cards given Brew finished with 208 ranking points, the highest state league score so far this year.

Dom Brew was overlooked by the Western Bulldogs in the pre-season. Picture: Michael Klein

Two Queenslanders weren’t far behind, Brisbane’s Henry Smith and Gold Coast’s Brayden Fiorini both putting in big shifts for their respective VFL clubs on the weekend.

202cm big man Smith was everywhere all at once for the Lions, racking up 30 disposals, three goals, 33 hitouts and 201 ranking points after making his debut last year.

Fiorini (196 points) finished with 43 disposals and 11 clearances.

Out west, the 2025 WAFL season got underway in thrilling fashion with premiership fancies Peel Thunder and Claremont starting their campaigns with a 79-all draw.

Claremont ruck Oliver Eastland went head-to-head with returning Dockers big man Sean Darcy and won, finishing with 25 disposals and 16 hitouts for 145 ranking points. Darcy finished with 77 points courtesy of 19 hitouts and 12 touches.

Cooper Simpson was the pick of the Peel players as he continues to thrive in a new role at half-back. The second-year player racked up 134 ranking points from 20 disposals. Fellow Docker Hayden Young (114 points) was influential in his return from a hamstring injury, kicking three goals from 19 disposals.

Cooper Simpson has made a new home at half back for Peel Thunder. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Reigning Sandover medallist Callan England picked up where he left off with 32 disposals and a goal.

Former Tiger and Saint Matthew Parker showed his class for South Fremantle, racking up 31 disposals, nine tackles and 177 ranking points. Earlier this year, the 29-year-old said he hadn’t ruled out an AFL return.

Ruck Riley Sprigg (194 points) and key forward Tyler Keitel (142) were dominant in West Perth’s big win over Swan Districts, the latter kicking six goals.

West Coast ruck Matt Flynn gave the Eagles something to think about with a dominant performance in West Coast’s loss to East Fremantle, finishing with 51 hitouts, 15 touches, two goals and 174 rankings points, the 13th-best performance in the country. Flynn played the first game of the season before making way for Bailey Williams.

Small forward Jack Petruccelle (107 points) was electric with five goals.

Over in South Australia, former Eagle Matthew Allen kicked 3.1 from 22 touches, yielding 160 ranking points for Central Districts.

Adelaide SSP signing Lachlan McAndrew pressed his case with 32 hitouts and 21 disposals.

Tom Morrish (155 points) had a day out for West Adelaide, kicking two goals from 23 touches.

Originally published as State League Kings: The best performances from the WAFL, VFL and SANFL after AFL’s Round 4