SWFL 2022: South Bunbury coach Max Jetta says Kate Fielding’s shift forward is good for captain Bethany Bond

A new role for Kate Fielding could be the best thing for South Bunbury captain Bethany Bond, according to three-time premiership coach Max Jetta. In the twilight of her career, Fielding — who was the No.1 ruck for all three of the club’s consecutive premierships — has transformed into a full-time forward. The Tigers held Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault scoreless on the weekend as Fielding kicked one goal, but Jetta says having a reliable set of hands and a forward so dominant in the air means Bond, who is arguably the competition’s greatest ever player, can make an impact higher up the ground. “She was going to step away this year but I said ‘I’ll put you down forward’,” he said. “It is just someone reliable down there with a great set of hands and in front of goal she rarely misses. “It allows Beth to work higher up the ground because she is experienced and she can beat players in one-on-ones.” Bond kicked a game-high three goals, provided an outlet option and rolled through the midfield during the 55-point win. Now the Tigers face a fellow premiership contender in Busselton for the first time this year. The sides, who met in the 2020 grand final, played the competition’s first ever draw at Sir Stewart Bovell Park last season. “We are keen to get a test this weekend against Busselton,” Jetta said. “It is probably going to tell us where we are at as a team.”