Van Diemen named for decider as Bulldogs go in unchangedSaturday, September 20, 2025 - 4:25 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Dangerous forward Sam Van Diemen is fit to play in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium on Sunday in a massive boost for East Perth.

The Royals have made one change for their clash against minor premiers South Fremantle with Van Diemen back after missing last week’s Preliminary Final win over Claremont with hamstring soreness.

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The 24-year-old, who has kicked 24.11 in 20 league appearances this season, comes in for speedster Jayden Peak who’s been omitted.

Peak will instead feature for the Royals’ reserves in their grand final clash against Claremont from 9.05am.

East Perth coach Ross McQueen spoke about how tough selection night would be during Wednesday's WAFL Grand Final Captains Call at Optus Stadium with former Docker Sebit Kuek also putting his hand up.

Kuek will instead play in the reserves for a second week in a row.

“It’ll be a long Thursday night. Every year at this time someone is unfortunate to miss out,” McQueen said.

“We’ll have a look to how we played South Fremantle in the past, the last couple of times we’ve played them have been hard to judge because of the conditions.

“Sam van Diemen put his hand up last weekend and said he wasn’t ready to go so that was a real testament to Sammy, but he’d be good to go. As soon as the result came through on Sunday it’s amazing how much better he felt.

“He’ll be available, he’ll put his hand up and we’ll just have to try to play the best team that we think can get the job done.”

It comes as the Bulldogs go in unchanged as expected as they hunt a 15th win on the trot, with premiership captain Dylan Main unable to force his way back into the team in a sad end to an injury-hit campaign.

In the reserves, minor premiers Claremont have been bolstered by the return of trio Bailey Banfield, Rory Luscombe and Mitch Barron who also played in the senior Preliminary Final loss to East Perth.

Banfield is one of three brothers in action on grand final day, with his younger siblings Charlie and Harper both playing in the EGT WAFL Colts clash against South Fremantle which kicks off at 12.10pm.