The West Australian’s Jordan McArdle takes a look at what’s happening in the country and amateur leagues around WA in his weekly column.

Crowley’s country stint could be over

Former Fremantle and Essendon tagger Ryan Crowley may have played his last game in the South West Football League after suffering a serious shoulder injury at the weekend.

A big bump from South Bunbury defender Josh Ryder caught Crowley in the second quarter of Collie’s 44-point home loss on Sunday, with the 34-year-old playing no further part in the game.

Exciting Swan Districts colts player Kade Wallrodt starred for the Tigers despite suffering a suspected broken nose, booting four goals and in a best-on-ground performance.

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Veteran Matt Giacci was outstanding down back, with former Perth Demon Liam McKenna also among the best.

Crowley is one of seven star Eagles on the sidelines for this weekend's clash against Carey Park at Kelly Park.

Fellow ex-Docker Joel Houghton (broken hand) is still a couple of months away from returning.

Former Fremantle and St Kilda forward Brett Peake bagged four goals in a losing cause for Bunbury against Augusta-Margaret River.

Ex-Swan Districts forward Matthew Jukes (four goals) continued his strong form for the Hawks, who prevailed by 25 points at Gloucester Park, with Jack Hick contributing three.

Former Docker Jesse Crichton was best-afield in Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault’s 20-point win over Eaton Boomers at Brunswick Oval, booting two goals and getting plenty of the ball.

Camera Icon Ryan Crowley in action for Collie in the South West Football League.

Crichton, who is no longer sporting the mullet he rocked during his Fremantle days, is in his first season in the SWFL after transferring from WAFL side East Fremantle.

It’s one of the tightest starts to the season in recent memory, with the top six teams all 3-2 and three more one game behind with a 2-3 record.

- with Mitchell Woodcock

Kepler’s still got it!

In his first game of the season and still “a bit green”, former Dockers cult hero Kepler Bradley starred in his Avon Football Association debut at the weekend.

Bradley, a former No.6 draft pick and 117-game AFL player at Fremantle and Essendon, booted a game-high seven majors to lead Railways to a 163-point thrashing of Cunderdin.

The 32-year-old was convinced to pull on the boots by West Coast premiership forward Steven Armstrong, with the pair both involved in Claremont’s coaching department.

Armstrong, who is in his second season at the Northam-based club, added four goals.

Both players are a bit down on match fitness and stayed up forward, but are expected to spend more time in the middle as the season progresses.

Former Shark James Venturini continued his strong form as reigning premiers Kellerberrin-Tammin made it six from six, beating Quairading by 114 points.

Venturini added another eight goals to take his season tally to a league-high 31.

Robert Forrest made it back-to-back five-goal hauls, with the dual Subiaco premiership backman enjoying his time up forward for Federals.

‘Feddies’ easily accounted for York by 76 points, with Kaden Elliot, Kane Robinson and Luke Tanner having a huge influence.

Cult hero to grace EKFL

Relton Roberts is set to make his East Kimberley Football League debut on Friday night.

The former Richmond cult hero, who once got in trouble for eating a hamburger before a VFL match, has been cleared to Waringarri ahead of their match against Kununurra.

Roberts has featured in several leagues in country Victoria and the Northern Territory since quitting the Tigers due to homesickness.

The 32-year-old, who made two AFL appearances for Richmond in 2010, most recently played for Wanderers in the NTFL.

The Crows, who have been well serviced by the league’s leading goalkicker Paul Cox (24 goals), will be looking for their six win of the season after going down to top side Port Wyndham last weekend.

Some Waylen Manson magic got Kururrungku over the line by four points in a thriller against Yardgee.

The enigmatic former AFL draft hopeful and Claremont colts player starred with three goals.

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Anthony could join CBC permanently

Former North Melbourne midfielder Liam Anthony is weighing up his options after playing for Fremantle CBC on permit a fortnight ago.

The East Fremantle-listed veteran booted four goals on debut in the WAAFL A Grade, but didn’t play at any level last weekend after being overlooked for the Sharks’ senior team.

CBC are the only undefeated team left in the competition after knocking off Scarborough by 22 points in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at Morris Buzzacott Reserve.

Former Sharks big man Rob Young has been in terrific form up forward, as has ex-Bulldog Jarrad Winter.

Fellow ex-WAFL players Chris Basile, Luke Harding and Nicholas Borovac have been regularly among CBC’s best this season, as has emerging midfielder Campbell Smith.

Former Fremantle forward Ryan Murphy booted five goals as defending champs Trinity-Aquinas edged out Curtin Uni-Wesley by three points, with ex-Demon Cal Walley and ex-Lion Bill Fetherstonhaugh kicking two apiece.

James Charlesworth stood up for the Tigers with five goals.

A nine-goal haul to Ryan Ekert helped North Beach to an 85-point win over Wanneroo, while Jarryd Stewart (eight goals) also kicked a bag as University downed Kingsway by 48 points.

Mathew Seal (five) kicked more goals than the entire Kalamunda side (4.6) as Wembley prevailed by 49 points.

From forfeits to finals chance

After forfeiting the opening month of the season, several clearances ensured Three Springs fielded a full side against Coorow-Latham.

Aided by inclusions of Mingenew talents - former South Fremantle duo Beau and Kobe Simpson and their father Steven - the Bombers recorded a 15.4 (94) to 7.11 (53) win.

They now incredibly sit in fourth spot, which would see them play finals.

In other matches, Mingenew and Morawa dished out hidings to Carnamah-Perenjori and Dongara respectively.

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Rovers survived a fright from Mullewa to remain remain undefeated in the Great Northern league.

After trailing at the half, the Demons gradually wore down the reigning premiers, running out eight-point winners.

Ex-Magpie Shannon Cox booted three for the Demons, while former Docker Josh Simpson kicked a goal for Mullewa.

Northampton’s accuracy ensured they pipped Brigades by a point to record their first win of the season.

Jack Cripps, a former East Fremantle and Northern Blues forward and cousin of Carlton star Patrick Cripps, was named WA Country Football League player of the round for his efforts in getting the Rams home.

Cripps was deadly in front of goal, booting a game-high five majors.

In the final game of the round, Towns defied a goalless last term to hold on for a thrilling five-point win over Railways.

- with Justin Fris

Life’s a beach for ‘CJ’

Former Claremont youngster Christopher ‘CJ’ Oakley is flourishing in his return to Cable Beach.

The 20-year-old is back at his junior club in the West Kimberley Football League after a stint in the WAFL, where he played 11 league games for the Tigers.

Oakley booted three goals in his side’s 50-point win over Bidyadanga at the weekend, taking his season tally to seven in three matches.

The Greenbacks are one of two undefeated teams in the WKFL, with last year’s grand finalists Derby Tigers also starting with a 3-0 record.

Former West Coast Eagles Gerrick Weeden, Michael Embley (both Derby) and Lewis Broome (Looma Eagles) are also having a kick in the league this season.

Got a local footy story worth telling? Email jordan.mcardle@wanews.com.au