WAFL premiership the goal for Hinchliffe

Clint Hinchliffe has achieved a tremendous amount since he last was in the WAFL system and most of it has been on a cricket field, but he can’t hide his excitement about joining Swan Districts in 2026 and a premiership is his goal.

Hinchliffe always grew up juggling playing football and cricket, and was a promising footballer for sure when coming through at West Perth playing some standout football in the colts and representing Western Australia in the State 18s.

However, he decided to focus his attention on cricket and you certainly can see why because across his career the left-handed all-rounder played Sheffield Shield cricket for WA and has played 27 matches in the Big Bash League across the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars.

His last BBL season was in 2022/23 and since then he has returned to football and had two terrific seasons the last two years with Ocean Ridge in the Perth Football League, and still playing Premier League cricket with Mount Lawley.

But the 29-year-old has now decided to give playing in the WAFL one more serious crack, he is flying in the pre-season and already can’t wait for the 2026 season to get underway.

“I’m super excited to be getting back into the WAFL system and joining Swan Districts,” Hinchliffe said.

“It feels like the right time, and a bit of a now or never moment for me at this stage of my sporting career and I feel like it’s the right time to really challenge myself. I’m looking forward to putting the work in and hopefully I can have a big contribution on and off the field.”

WHY RETURN WITH SWANS

When Hinchliffe decided he wanted to give playing in the WAFL one more chance before it was too late, it didn’t take him long to decide after talking with coach Andrew Pruyn and a host of now teammates that Swan Districts would be the ideal destination.

“Why Swans? Swans is a really proud football club. I had some really good conversations with the coaching staff, and I really like where the club is heading,” Hinchliffe said.

“We have a really strong, talented group that is very driven to succeed! I think we have the capabilities to do so and I want to be a part of that.

“The conversations I had with the coaching staff were very clear, they see a role for me and I look forward to doing that to the best of my ability and taking it with both hands.”

JUGGLING TWO SPORTS

All the way through his teenage years and Hinchliffe had to juggle playing football and cricket. He knew if he wanted to try playing either of them professionally, eventually he would have to choose one over another.

He ended up choosing cricket and a decade of dealing with the highs and lows of trying to make a professional career in that sport has certainly had its ups and downs, but now he’s ready to throw himself fully back into football.

“Yes it has definitely been tough,” Hinchliffe said.

“I think being the competitive person I am, you always want to compete and be the best athlete you can be so it was hard to let one or the other go when you have such a love and passion for both.

“Obviously early my cricket career took front seat being contracted in the professional system for seven or eight years meant I was out of the footy world completely. Over the last couple of season I have got back out there and played locally with Ocean Ridge.

“I think what it has taught me balancing both sports at a high level, running my business and work life and also my personal life is that I need to be very focused on my discipline, preparation and making sure I balance my time properly.

“The mental side can be very draining and hard work at times but I believe my experiences over the last 10 years have made me very clear on my priorities, what I do and don’t need and I am very confident all these experiences and learnings will hold me in good stead to continue to perform to a high standard in both sporting clubs.

“This is definitely my first challenge of high level cricket and juggling a WAFL pre-season at the same time, but I am enjoying getting out of my comfort zone and giving it a red hot crack.”

PLAYING CRICKET THIS SUMMER

While Hinchliffe has thrown himself into pre-season training with Swan Districts this summer, he’s also still playing Premier League cricket at Mount Lawley.

He is having a fine season too having taken 24 wickets at an average of 20.38 with a best of 5-42 on top of making 322 runs with an average of 32.2 and a highest score of 65.

He is still enjoying playing even though it has its challenges while trying to prepare for a WAFL season at the same time.

“Juggling both is definitely tough work. I feel as though the mental switch off is a little harder to find, if I am not at cricket training I am on the footy track trying to impress, meet new people, get as fit as possible and perfect my role to be ready for Round 1,” Hinchliffe said.

“I’m still currently playing a big role at the Mount Lawley cricket club not only performance wise but as a leader and mentor for our younger group.

“I’m still bowling lots of overs being the No. 1 spinner while also batting in the top three but also trying to share my experiences and knowledge with our younger group to help them grow into the best players they can be and help us ultimately get that success of winnings some first grade flags.

“At the end of the day I feel like I know myself and my body well, I have matured a lot and hence why I thought the time was right at this point in my career to handle the commitment of both sports and give the best I can to both clubs and my teammates.”

PLAYING AT OCEAN RIDGE

Hinchliffe has made his return to playing football over the past two seasons in the PFL with Ocean Ridge and has picked right back up where he left off from the colts at West Perth almost a decade earlier.

That has included him finishing runner-up in the A-Grade fairest and best award in 2025 and he also starred in WA’s State game win over Victoria where he had 36 possessions.

He’s loved his return to the game and is excited to continue that now at Swan Districts.

“Yes, I have absolutely loved my time down at ocean ridge. It has always been my junior club footy and cricket so to get down there and give back to the club was a no brainer for me,” Hinchliffe said.

“I got to spend a few years playing with some really close friends of mine and run out alongside my youngest brother so that was a really cool experience. Definitely one of my favourite moments of my sporting career has been playing alongside family.

“I am a competitor and hold myself to really high standards, so I am very confident that If I get the work done, be as fit as possible, get around the boys, build some good relationships and most importantly be confident and express my football ability then I have no doubt it will turn into some really good football and hopefully taste WAFL success with a flag.”

REFLECTING SO FAR

As Hinchliffe approaches his 30th birthday, he did decide that if he was ever going to give playing in the WAFL one last crack, then 2026 was likely now or never time.

When he reflects on the journey so far from the time as a teenager just finishing up school and playing in the colts with West Perth when he had to dedicate himself to cricket, and it’s been a ride that’s been a bumpy one.

While Hinchliffe never quite cemented himself how he might have liked as a professional cricketer, at the same time there are precious few people who can say they’ve represented their state in the Sheffield Shield and played the amount of Big Bash cricket that he has.

As a result, he is happy with everything he put in to chasing his cricketing dreams and now he hopes to prove himself as a WAFL footballer with the dreaming of helping Swan Districts to a first premiership since 2010.

“Yes nearly 30, it’s getting away from me. It really has been a journey so far!” Hinchliffe said.

“It hasn’t always been a straight forward one, lots of setbacks, a-lot of disappointment, poor decisions, delistings but then on the other side I have had lots of success, been lucky enough to travel around Australia and the world plying my trade with cricket.

“Lots of milestones and first games with different teams and franchises. I have met some amazing people and made lots of great friendships along the way. At the end of the day, I am very proud of my efforts and very grateful for the experiences I have had.

“Is there things I would change? Of course but that’s what it’s all about, learning and taking those experiences into the next chapter.

“They have shaped me as the person I am today and I look forward to showcasing this is in the next step of my journey. And hopefully having some success with the Swan Districts Football Club topping it off with a WAFL flag.”