Country Championships: Tough division two an exciting challenge for Luke Bairstow and talented Ongerup side

Ongerup Football Association is ready to tackle the challenge of a strong division two competition head-on at this week’s Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships. Head coach Luke Bairstow was excited by the strong blend of youth and experience in his championship squad ahead of Friday’s opening games in Perth. Ongerup endured a tough campaign last year but their one win over Mortlock ensured they avoided relegation. Bairstow said the division two competition this year was going to be extremely tough, noting big match-ups against powerhouse side Upper Great Southern and neighbouring rivals Great Southern. However he believes his sides tough, ball-winning mentality will hold them in good stead against the better teams. “I think we’ve got a really strong list, sort of a majority of the group have been together for a little while, but there’s some exciting new faces in there too, which is pretty awesome from a coaching point of view,” Bairstow said. “We do miss Eastern Districts this year, but it’s great that we take on Uppers, such a big association, to tackle them and it’s great see (Great Southern) back in division two and it looks like a strong division all round. “We’ve got a tough draw and it should be game on. “I like to think we’re generally known for being pretty tough, we’re not going to reinvent the wheel with our tactics. “We’ll be nice and strong, we’ve got a very strong spine, with Davis and House and Joyce, yeah, a lot of WAFL experience. “We’ve got a lot of experience, and couple of exciting kids, so hopefully we can go okay.” The Ongerup side is stacked with quality, including twin key position stars Timm House and Lewis Davis and State country star and dual WAFL premiership player Justin Joyce. Former AFL player Sam Menegola will also feature in the side. Young gun Riley Holden, who has been dominating for Jerramungup, is another to watch while the likes of Hayden Richter, Tate Barrett and Sam Bertola were others that Bairstow expects to shine. Timm House will captain the side again with Mitch Smith his deputy. In their bid to reach Sunday’s grand final, Ongerup will be without key trio Dean Rintoul, Ben Hislop and Fraser House. “We have nearly filled our squad sheet, for the for the first time for a long time,” Bairstow said. “We have 30 guys going up, which is great, also to give us a bit more depth as we get into that day two and beyond. “There’s just no weak sides anymore, she’s all go, and there should be some good footy.” Ongerup kick off their campaign against Central Midlands Coastal at HIF Health Insurance Stadium on Friday before tackling Upper Great Southern later that day. On Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval they will clash with North Pilbara and Great Southern. OFA squad 1. Connor Hawkins (Jerramungup) 2. Aaron Winters (Jerramungup) 3. Riley Holden (Jerramungup) 4. Murray Haywood (Gnowangerup) 5. Nick Winters (Jerramungup) 6. Dillon Williams (Jerramungup) 7. Matt Dykes (Newdegate) 8. Mitch Smith (Lake Grace-Pingrup) 9. Riley Bridger (Newdegate) 10. Justin Joyce (Lake Grace-Pingrup) 11. Harry Regan (Lake Grace-Pingrup) 12. Timm House (Gnowangerup) 13. Sam Bertola (Boxwood Hill) 14. Marley Phillips (Gnowangerup) 15. Bodean Morten (Gnowangerup) 16. Tate Barrett (Jerramungup) 17. Lewis Davis (Gnowangerup) 18. Harry Joy (Boxwood Hill) 19. Brett Hooper (Boxwood Hill) 20. Hayden Richter (Boxwood Hill) 21. Harry Milne (Gnowangerup) 22. Ethan Caldwell (Gnowangerup) 23. Sam Menegola (Gnowangerup) 24. Jarrom Tucker (Newdegate) 25. Bailey McGlinn (Lake Grace-Pingrup) 26. Trivian Davey (Lake Grace-Pingrup)