Fremantle Dockers NGA prospect Lucas Robinson named in South Fremantle’s senior side for WAFL pre-season game

Fremantle NGA prospect Lucas Robinson is set to make an unofficial senior debut for South Fremantle in their pre-season WAFL grand final rematch with East Perth. The bullocking on-baller has been named among an extended bench for the reigning premiers’ first clash with the Royals since the controversial finish to the 2025 decider at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday morning. In between representing WA’s under-18 side as a bottom-ager and playing for Hale School in the Public Schools Association competition last year, Robinson was a dominant performer for the Bulldogs at colts level in 2025. He averaged 24.7 disposals and 5.7 tackles per game across his 10 appearances, including 35 touches to go with 12 tackles in their semifinal win over East Fremantle. But the 18-year-old was a surprising omission from the AFL Academy squad comprising of those forecast to be the country’s best underage talents for 2026, with recruiters understood to hold reservations over his speed and endurance. Robinson — who qualifies for the NGA program through his father’s Zimbabwean heritage — hails from Tarin Rock in the Wheatbelt, only 25km west of where Dockers’ champion Nat Fyfe grew up in Lake Grace. He was initially zoned to the Eagles’ academy and Claremont in the State league, only for enquires from Fremantle and South Fremantle to reveal his family’s farm fell within their catchment. Elsewhere, Mason Cox has been named to play his first game for Peel Thunder and will be one of at least 13 Fremantle-listed players to line up in their clash with the Tigers. The American has been named as an emergency for the Dockers’ clash with Melbourne on Saturday alongside out-of-favour veteran Luke Ryan and Jeremy Sharp, one of whom may drop down to feature in the WAFL. Former West Coast speedster Jack Petruccelle will make an unofficial debut for Subiaco, who he joined last year after being de-listed following 90 games over eight seasons with the Eagles, as they take on West Perth.