Grand final rematch to kick off South West Netball Football League season

A grand final rematch is set to headline the opening round of the South West Netball Football League season, set to take place later this month. The South West Netball Football League unveiled the first round of fixtures for the 2022 season, which will coincide with the South West Football League’s opening weekend during the last weekend of March. The remainder of the fixtures are set to be announced this weekend. Reigning premiers Eaton Boomers will find themselves hitting the road to open their 2022 campaign with a grand final rematch against Busselton Magpies on Sunday, March 27 at Geographe Leisure Centre. While 2021 Testrow medallist Kasey Joy, Kirsty Fitzgerald, Mickashia Watts, Jessica Knight and Bianca Vellalonga will be returning for the Boomers, a few new faces will join the fold including Jen Maaka, Grace MacArthur and Alex MacArthur. Eaton will also see the return of Giaan Evans, who spent 2021 with the ECU Souwest Jets’ 20U team and was named the WANL 20U best-and-fairest player. Looking to avenge their grand final loss, Busselton Magpies will feature a largely unchanged squad featuring the likes of life member Lisa Millman, Belle Hancock, Shukia Riley, Issy Legros, as well as the on-court return of Maia Bratton. Bunbury’s South West Sports Centre will feature the season opener between South Bunbury and Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault on Saturday, March 26, along with a Sunday match-up between Carey Park and Bunbury. While the Lions will feature a largely unchanged squad that includes Katie Martin, Matilda Tinker, Megan O’Hare, Khea Borkowski and Lauren Vincent, South Bunbury will feature several new faces after the departure of some of their 2021 players including Hayley Troode, Lucy Fransen and Kirsty Baum. Match-ups between South Bunbury and HBL, as well as Carey Park and Bunbury will also take place in the reserves, masters and 18/U competitions, as well as a 16/U match between the Panthers and the Bulldogs. In the reserves competition, Mercy-Leschenault-Collie and Donnybrook will be making their debut with a match in Collie on March 26, while Augusta-Margaret River will take on Busselton. In the masters competition, Eaton Boomers will begin their season with a match against the Harvey Bulls. Although Blackwood Ravens would not be returning to the league competition this year, their 18/U and 16/U teams will both have a bye during the opening weekend.