WAFL: Former AFL defenders Ethan Hughes, Trey Ruscoe set to join South Fremantle

South Fremantle’s incredible off-season has continued after two former AFL defenders decided to join the club ahead of the 2025 season. The West Australian understands the Bulldogs have won the race to recruit former Fremantle defender Ethan Hughes, with an announcement expected in the coming days. Former Collingwood defender and West Coast WAFL vice-captain Trey Ruscoe is set to also join the club, as they bolster their list having missed out on a finals berth in 2024 by two premiership points. They join former West Coast and Geelong speedster Jamaine Jones as key recruits for the Bulldogs under new coach Craig White. Hughes, 29, was heavily chased by several clubs in the WAFL including his former side Swan Districts, Dockers alignment club Peel Thunder as well as Perth and Claremont. He is yet to officially sign with the Bulldogs, but is understood to be keen to join them ahead of next season. In the end the 107-game AFL defender has decided to join South Fremantle for several reasons including the proximity to his home. The Tigers came late for Hughes after defender Jack Maibaum informed them he would not be returning in 2025 and instead wanted to play in the Perth Football League. Hughes was delisted by the Dockers at the end of this season after 107 matches in 10 seasons, having originally been drafted as a rookie. Ruscoe, 23, joins after one season for the Eagles’ WAFL side where he played 18 games and was their stand-in captain. The East Fremantle-product joined West Coast after he was delisted by Collingwood last year, having played 18 AFL game in four seasons after being drafted with pick No.55 in 2019. Ruscoe joined captain Jackson Nelson and former Greater Western Sydney rookie Jason Gilbee as players to leave the Eagles’ WAFL side this off-season, as revealed by The West Australian last week. It is believed the Bulldogs were able to fit both defenders into their points cap because defender Jordan Boullineau is likely to spend the first part of the season away. South Fremantle have been one of the most active players this off-season. Jones was their biggest signing after he was cut by West Coast at the end of the season, while former draft hopeful Koen Sanchez crossed from East Fremantle. Cooper Clarke-Dehring (Donnybrook) and Connor Carbone (Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault) will come up after strong seasons in the South West Football League, while ruckman Hamish Free returns from North Melbourne after 18 months on their list. The Bulldogs have also been heavily linked for former Fremantle forward Matt Taberner, although this is unlikely now given the signings of Ruscoe and Hughes.