Busselton captain Ethan Bowman confident in his side’s chances to defend title

Busselton captain Ethan Bowman is confident his side will be able to stave off a SWFL premiership hangover despite the loss of some key personnel. The Magpies lost goal-kicking midfielder Jaxon East and key defender Zac Pethybridge over the off-season, with both to play for Myrtleford in Victoria’s Ovens & Murray Football League after spending time with Wanderers in the Northern Territory Football League. Bowman said his side had enjoyed a positive summer under new coach Matt Jamieson, who has joined from Augusta-Margaret River. “It’s been a bit different this year, but we’re really excited to get under way,” he said. “(East and Pethybridge) are both really good players, but we’re just going to reach out to our younger blokes and we’ve got a few other blokes coming in who are going to step up for us.” “Hopefully we get a couple of wins under our belt early. We can’t wait to tackle it.” The Magpies captain said a round one grand final rematch with Carey Park next Saturday would provide a great yardstick for where his side sits. “Every match-up with Carey Park’s always tough, they don’t give it up easy,” he said. In last year’s grand final Busselton and Carey Park fought it out at Payne Park, with the Magpies holding on for a slender 8.13 (61) to 8.10 (58) victory. In their win, they also ended the stunning rise of Carey Park, who came from obscurity to the narrow grand final defeat after finishing eighth the previous season. Their resurgence was led by former Richmond player Sydney Stack, who joined midway through the season, and ex-East Perth pair Cooper and Harley Sparks. A five-goal second term from the Panthers surged them into the lead at half-time, having kicked just one in the first. But the Magpies held on, leading by five points at the last break and three points at the final siren, a win led by former Manjimup-based players Jaxon East — brother of Fremantle AFLW player Dana — and Kester Decke. Of the club’s up-and-coming crop, Bowman pointed to Ben Ganzer as a player to watch.