SWFL 2023: Women’s finals contenders look to achieve best possible position in last round of regular season

With just one round standing in the way of finals, the South West Football League’s top women’s contenders are looking to lock in the best possible spots ahead of the qualifying and elimination finals. Busselton, Harvey Bulls, Bunbury, Donnybrook and Harvey Brunswick Leschenault have all secured a finals berth for 2023 and will be looking to confirm their respective positions further during the final round of the regular season this weekend. A near-perfect season run has already guaranteed the Magpies the minor premiership, with Saturday’s twilight match against HBL at Sir Stewart Bovell Park yet another chance for them to prove why they are the team to beat. While the Lions have pulled off some big wins against Eaton, Dunsborough and Collie in recent weeks and featured outstanding performances by Tessa Kongras, Riley Brine and Giaan Evans to name a few, they will face the ultimate test ahead of their first finals berth since reaching the elimination final in 2019. After charging their way through the competition throughout the regular season, Harvey Bulls will be looking to keep up their dominant form when they take on Carey Park. In the midst of injuries affecting players late in the season and having last weekend’s match against Eaton called off prematurely, Carey Park certainly face an uphill battle if they want to keep up with the Bulls. Bunbury will be looking to continue their run of commanding victories at Payne Park on Sunday, when they take on South Bunbury to finish their regular season. Since welcoming back Ruby Mahony, Indiana West, Kloe Bassett and Daisy Rigby, the Bulldogs have been on a rampage with plenty of big wins to climb up the ladder. Although South Bunbury have not secured a finals berth, a win against their cross-town rivals would finish the Tigers’ season on a high note. While Donnybrook have been affected by player injuries in recent weeks, including a foot injury to Abbey Westra during last weekend’s win against South Bunbury, the Dons will be keen to clip Collie’s wings at Collie Recreation Ground on Sunday. Although Collie will face a tough battle against Jessica Verbrugge, Taneika Handley, Bethany Bond and Lacey Holdsworth among others, the Eagles will try to capitalise on a rare opportunity to lift themselves from the wooden spoon position. Eaton and Dunsborough have already finished their respective campaigns for the 2023 season having already played 18 games as of round 20. After defeating Carey Park last weekend, Eaton have finished on a 5-12 record, the most wins they have racked up since joining the competition. Dunsborough ended their season on a 3-15 record, celebrating their first three wins since joining the SWFL Women’s competition last year.