Do or die Landmark campaign awaits SW

Reinforcements have been called on as the South West Football League looks to save its Landmark Championship campaign.

After last month’s nine-point loss to the Peel Football-Netball League, the South West can not lose either of their final two qualifying games against the Great Northern Football League and Avon Football Association at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

To ensure they have the best chance possible they have called on the competition’s leading goalkicker Joel Houghton, as well as Bunbury ruckman Blair Della Franca and Eaton Boomers midfielder Chris Atthowe.

The South West will be without defender Kane Bumann, as well as midfielders Mitch Lague and Steven Payne, with the trio all not able to qualify as they play on type two permits in the SWFL from their respective WAFL clubs.

Just six players from last year’s championships have been named in the 30-man squad.

South West coach Jamie Nani said despite the loss of some personnel, he believed his team would be quick.

“They will be fine as long as we play like we did in the last half against Peel,” he said.

“Most players can play in mulitple positions which is good.”

Nani said he was pleased to have the services of Houghton, who is likely to be the focus of the South West’s forward movements.

“He will straighten us up,” he said.

“It is handy having someone there who can bring the ball to ground.”

Nani said the team would not focus on the pressure of being out of contention for a grand final if they are to lose a game.

Nani said the team would not be distracted by the danger of missing the grand final if they lost a game.

“We will just focus on getting through Great Northern first,” he said.

Nani admitted without knowing the opposition’s players, it was hard to come up with a gameplan which was too complicated.

Nani said it was difficult to come up with a detailed game plan without knowing the opposition players.

“You might know some names, but you just have to back your boys to win,” he said.

“They all know how to mark, kick and handball by now.”

Last night the SWFL had their final training session, but only got together last week to go bowling as part of a team bonding exercise.

Nani said getting the players to know each other ahead of the championships was important.

“It is hard to get to know each other from just three or four training sessions,” he said.

“We have got to do whatever we can to make sure they gel.”