The Harvey Bulls and Eaton Boomers were the big winners following the opening of the South West Football League transfer window last Wednesday.

Falling agonisingly short of last season’s grand final, the Bulls picked up three players on the opening day of business — Peel Thunder duo Patrick Italiano and Michael Humble, and Augusta-Margaret River premiership player Sam Lewis.

It is believed travel played a factor in Lewis’ move from the Hawks, given he lives in Perth. His pace and goal sense are likely to be an added bonus for Mark Pink’s forward line.

The Boomers also pulled off a massive recruiting coup a day later, securing the services of influential Collie Eagles big man Paul Rinder.

Boomers coach Chris Kinninmont had been working the phones during the off-season in a bid to find a quality ruck to fire up his engine room — and his dreams have well and truly come true with the arrival of Rinder, who played 150 games with the Eagles and also captained the club.

In the women’s competition, premiership favourites Busselton and Donnybrook appear to have taken an early hit, with several key players eyeing a crack at WAFLW level.

South Fremantle have landed key Dons trio Bethany Bond, Charli Wicksteed and Megan Bain, along with former Boomers captain Trinity Brown.

The Magpies, who won last season’s premiership in a thriller over Bunbury, could be without Kat Shrewsbury early in the season as she tries her luck at Peel Thunder.

For any of the above players to qualify for SWFL finals after the WAFLW season, they must play a minimum of five SWFL home-and-away matches.