SWFL 2022: How is your club faring into the second half of the year?
With all clubs having a general bye due to the Nutrien Ag Solutions country football championships, Justin Fris looks at how your club is placed heading into the crunch.
1st - South Bunbury (10-2, 40 points)
Coach: Julian Burgess
Form: The Tigers have barely put a foot wrong at league level and are a strong chance to reach this season’s grand final. They do have a challenging fortnight at the end of the season (facing Augusta-Margaret River and Bunbury) however.
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READ NOWStar player: Jordan Strahan - Has kicked 42 goals so far this season and is the undisputed chief spearhead in the SWFL right now.
One to watch: Kade Wallrodt - Wallrodt’s flair in the forward line could give the Tigers some added bite in September.
Hayward Medal contenders: Shaun Crane, Jace Cormack, Tim Sutherland, Jordan Strahan, Tom Gorter, Jay Crossman.
Likely finish: Top two.
2nd - Augusta-Margaret River (9-3, 36 points)
Coach: Matt Jamieson
Form: The reigning premiers have banked plenty of wins heading into the second half of the year, where they will play several games on the road.
Star player: Simon Moore - The reigning Hayward medallist routinely has the ball on a string and is an excellent decision maker in all situations of play.
One to watch: Sam Lewis - An electric half-forward flanker who is humble on and off the field despite his undeniable talent.
Hayward Medal contenders: Simon Moore, Steven Payne, Lincoln Adams, Sam Lewis, Tim Noakes, Harry Taylor.
Likely finish: Top two.
3rd - Bunbury (8-3, 32 points)
Coach: Jamie Nani
Form: Despite having lost three in a row heading into the country week break, the Bulldogs have the talent and experience required to turn things around ahead of the finals.
Star player: Dylan Heasman - A red-hot favourite to win this year’s Hayward Medal, Heasman’s X-factor alone is enough to swing a game into Bunbury’s control.
One to watch: Fraser Gilchrist - An elusive colts footballer who is likely to spend more time in the seniors, given his ability to play creatively.
Hayward Medal contenders: Dylan Heasman, Patrick Farrant, Jesse Gribble, Mark Longbottom, Tyson Wood, Scott Doncon.
Likely finish: Top five
4th - Busselton (8-4, 32 points)
Coach: Daniel Delaney
Form: With all of their players back from injury and COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Busselton are quickly becoming a team no-one will want to face in the finals.
Star player: Mitchell Tenardi - Tenardi is a determined midfielder who can hurt opposition sides both inside and outside.
One to watch: Zac Pethybridge - A no-nonsense defender who regularly gets the better of the opposition team’s best forward each week.
Hayward Medal contenders: Mitchell Tenardi, Nathan Arbon, Liam Creighton, Mitchell Howlett, Dylan Patterson, Zac Pethybridge.
Likely finish: Top five
5th - Donnybrook (6-6, 24 points)
Coach: Shane Bolton
Form: The Dons have been playing an excellent brand of football over the past six weeks and are in the mix to play finals.
Star player: Jacob Kendle - A very reliable player who should feature prominently in the Dons’ fairest and best this year.
One to watch: Cooper Clarke-Dehring- The youngster has been on fire in the colts and could earn a spot in the league team towards the end of the year.
Hayward Medal contenders: Jacob Kendle, Ben Howlett, Jeff Smith, Sean Lynch, Shane Cristaldi.
Likely finish: Fifth-seventh
6th - Eaton Boomers (5-6, 20 points)
Coach: Darren Rigby
Form: Last Saturday’s slender win over Donnybrook keeps the Boomers in the hunt for a spot in the top five, after they appeared to be sliding.
Star player: Joel Houghton - An experienced WAFL/AFL player who does whatever he can to get teammates involved in a game.
One to watch: Tanner Allen - Allen is a forward who always gives his side value for effort.
Hayward Medal contenders: Jordan Falco, Tanner Allen, Joel Houghton, Mitch Kings, Greg Humphries, Thomas Shanahan.
Likely finish: Fifth-seventh
7th - Harvey Bulls (5-6, 20 points)
Coach: Mark Pink
Form: The Bulls have plenty of weapons capable of doing damage in the finals, however they need to maintain their consistency in order to get there.
Star player: Brad Holmes - A proven goalkicker who always keeps the Bulls in every contest.
One to watch: Tyson Powell - Powell could be a real nuisance for rival teams in the finals if all their defensive attention goes toward Brad Holmes.
Hayward Medal contenders: Brad Holmes, Lloyd Beever, Tyson Powell, Thomas Wood, Eli Smith, Harley Bennell.
Likely finish: Fifth-seventh
8th - Carey Park (3-7-1, 14 points)
Coach: Brett Maguire
Form: Unlikely to play finals again this year, however the long-term future looks bright, with several colts stars likely to transition to league football in coming seasons.
Star player: Rory O’Brien - The 2013 Sandover medallist still offers plenty in the corridor for the Panthers.
One to watch: Bryce Fiorentino - A gutsy up and coming player who appears on the cusp of a bright senior career at either SWFL or WAFL level.
Hayward Medal contenders: Ethan Maguire, Rory O’Brien, Nic Bonomelli, Viv Blurton.
Likely finish: Eighth
9th - Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault (3-8-1, 14 points)
Coach: Ryan MacIntyre
Form: It is has been a rough year for the Lions, who have been unable to produce their best football for long periods of time.
Star player: Jarrod Humphries - When he is on fire, there is no better player to go to the football and watch.
One to watch: Reid Kinninmont - A young midfielder with ambition, who would be worthy of a chance at senior WAFL level.
Hayward Medal contenders: Brendan Tingey, Reid Kinninmont, Ben Ablett, Jarrod Humphries.
Likely finish: Ninth
10th - Collie Eagles (0-12, 0 points)
Coach: Kade East
Form: They might have not won a game so far, but the Eagles have not played like a winless team and should break their duck soon.
Star player: Shaquille McKenzie - His experience at WAFL level has helped the Eagles during some challenging games.
One to watch: Zac Pilatti - A rising star who is leading by example.
Hayward Medal contenders: Cameron Davidson, Liam Reuben, Adam Bignell, Shaquille McKenzie.
Likely finish: Tenth
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