Senior Country Football Champs 2023: Division 1 reigning champions SWFL have work to do following UGS loss

The SWFL’s hopes of retaining its division 1 title at the 2023 Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships in Perth hit a snag late on the opening day in Joondalup. After defeating Avon Football Association 7.1 (43) to 3.5 (23) in their opening game, Chris Kinninmont’s side were defeated by Upper Great Southern 4.2 (26) to 1.1 (7) later in the afternoon. To remain in contention for a spot in Sunday’s grand final at Fremantle Oval, the South West outfit will need to not only beat Peel and Ongerup on Saturday, but potentially also rely on other factors such as percentage. Despite their impressive victory in the opening game, the SWFL struggled with ball use and defensive accountability at times against Upper Great Southern — with goalsneak Laurence Collard, Ryan Bennell and Haiden Schloithe all finding plenty of the footy against the reigning champions. Jon Meadmore, Paul Rinder and Shaun Crane were best for the SWFL in the 19-point defeat. At Gil Fraser Reserve in North Fremantle, the Onshore Cup Football Association lost its opening round-robin clash against Gascoyne, 8.6 (54) to 2.0 (12).