South West WAFL Watch: Bunbury’s Harry Creasey takes home club B&F as competition turns to finals series

Despite a less-than-ideal 2022 campaign for the West Coast Eagles, Bunbury’s Harry Creasey has proved himself as a strong asset for the club’s WAFL side.

The 24-year-old was recently named West Coast’s WAFL best and fairest following a season of strong performances despite the Eagles finishing the 2022 WAFL season with another wooden spoon.

Speaking to the South Western Times, Creasey said he was surprised and humbled to win the award in his first season in the Eagles’ WAFL squad.

“It was a tough year as a team but I was able to play some consistent football which was a bonus,” he said.

“It was still a really enjoyable season with a great bunch of teammates and coaches.

“Hopefully next year we are building towards something stronger.”

Creasey said he also hoped to use his time with West Coast and his previous WAFL experience with East Fremantle to work towards a potential AFL career.

“It is always a dream to make the next level, but I’ll just take things as they come and continue to try and improve,” he said.

Meanwhile, a number of South West players featured during the first week of the 2022 WAFL finals series, with East Fremantle defeating Claremont Tigers 16.10 (106) to 8.10 (58) in Saturday’s qualifying final and Peel Thunder holding off South Fremantle 10.10 (70) to 8.13 (61) in Sunday’s elimination final.

In the qualifying final, which took place at New Choice Homes Park, Margaret River’s Jonathon Marsh put on a strong showing up forward for East Fremantle, kicking 3.2 for the match along with managing 14 disposals, five marks, a tackle, a hit-out and four inside 50s.

Teammate Michael Tassone (Bunbury) also was a solid contributor for the Sharks, finishing with 21 disposals, eight marks, five tackles and an inside 50.

Bunbury-born Bailey Rogers put on a solid performance for Claremont, managing 18 disposals, two marks, three tackles and four inside 50s.

In the elimination final at Fremantle Oval, Fremantle Dockers-listed players Connor Blakely and Ethan Hughes were well-grounded contributors for Peel Thunder, while former Eaton Boomer Traye Bennell and former HBL Lion Ty Anderson put on modest performances.

Blakely finished with 14 disposals, three marks, six tackles and two inside 50s, while Hughes managed 17 disposals, four marks, a tackle and two inside 50s.

Bennell finished with six disposals, two tackles and an inside 50, while Anderson managed nine disposals.

Harvey’s Hamish Free put on a solid performance in the ruck for South Fremantle, finishing with 31 hit-outs, seven disposals, a mark, seven tackles and two inside 50s.