Bush and ‘Burbs: West Coast Eagles WAFL best-and-fairest winner signs with Perth Football League club

The West Australian sports reporter Jackson Barrett takes a look at what’s happening in the country and amateur leagues around WA in his weekly column. A West Coast WAFL best-and-fairest winner has signed with a Perth Football League club for this season, continuing the exodus from the Eagles’ reserves team. Harry Creasey — a Bunbury product who won the club’s 2022 best-and-fairest — has been cleared to PFL club Melville for this season. He is the latest regular top-up from the Eagles’ WAFL side to have left in the off-season, including former captain Jackson Nelson and vice-captain Trey Ruscoe. Nelson confirmed he is heading to Victoria after The West Australian revealed he had left the club, while Ruscoe — a former Collingwood player — has signed with WAFL rivals South Fremantle this season. Former Greater Western Sydney defender Jason Gilbee — who is also close friends with Eagles star Harley Reid — also left the club in the off-season and is set to play for West Perth. Creasey had previously played league football for East Fremantle, but joined West Coast after winning a premiership with Bunbury in the South West Football League. He has played 58 league clubs across the two clubs, including a career-best 16 in 2022. He played six matches for the club last season. He finished last year back at Bunbury, where he played on a permit in their grand final defeat to South Bunbury. Melville finished third in the C1 competition last season with a 12-5 record, but were bundled out in a one-point semifinal loss to Kalamunda. The Eagles have not confirmed any new signings for this season. Their State league campaign begins with the launch of the revamped East Fremantle Oval against the Sharks on April 5. They are scheduled to play a practice match against West Perth on Saturday evening. Ex-Power forward on the move Former Port Adelaide rookie Matt Martin is poised to return to the South West from Albany. Martin has lodged a clearance to Carey Park, where he played 109 games between 2010 and 2015. He has also played in the SWFL for both Bunbury and Donnybrook, before relocating to Albany, where he played in the club’s maiden premiership. The West Adelaide product relocated to Bunbury after spending 2009 on the Power’s list. The country goal-kicking machine booted 45 majors from just 22 games for the Sharks. He has also played for Kojonup, Kambalda and Ports. Got a country or amateur sports story worth telling? Email jackson.barrett@wanews.com.au