They would have been tough to beat

Less than three hours before the Perth and Peel regions were plunged into a COVID-19 lockdown on Monday night, the South West Football League announced its squad for the 2021 women’s country football championships. Although some officials and players had a hunch this weekend’s carnival in Perth would eventually be called off, nothing could dampen the delight of being selected to represent the region against regional WA’s best. SWFL president Barry Tate was adamant the selected team would be able to compete strongly, irrespective of the opposition. “I believe that we have got a great squad — and seeing what it is out there, I think we would be in the mix,” he told the room. South Bunbury’s Bethany Bond and Busselton’s Rennie Meadmore were selected as the team’s co-captains. Both players, although reluctant to boast about the achievement, were proud they could lead their teammates, with many of them friends off the field as well. “It is pretty rewarding to know that we have been honoured at this level,” Meadmore said. “I look up to Bethany Bond in what she does, so it is really good to be able to do it together.” Bond believed the familiarity among the playing group would come in handy out on the ground. “I think we all know how each other play,” she said. “We even got a sense of it while we were training. It was quick. We know who the outside players are, along with those who are in and under.” Both Meadmore and Bond (along with teammate Beth Beckett) were extremely pleased with the overall skill level training. “The standards this year compared to 2019 have come on leaps and bounds,” Meadmore said. “If we did that well a few years back, this year will only be 10 times more exciting.” “I think the main thing is just to play as a team and we can get anything done.” Squad: Ruby Mahony (Bunbury), Emily Bourne (Eaton Boomers), Rebecca Fry (Harvey Bulls), Trinity Brown (Eaton Boomers), Beth Beckett (Busselton), Rachel Shepherd (Harvey Bulls), Rachel Tilbrook (Harvey Bulls), Kandice Hart (Carey Park), Emma Borinelli (Busselton), Rennie Meadmore (Busselton, co-capt), Maddy Obal (South Bunbury), Sophie Proudfoot (Bunbury), Kate Fielding (South Bunbury), Cassie Offer (Harv-Bruns-Lesch), Chantelle Rivett (Harvey Bulls), Michelle Mullins (Harvey Bulls), Mia Dronow (Busselton), Jessica Ruland (Eaton Boomers), Bethany Bond (South Bunbury co-capt), Andrea Schirripa (Harv-Bruns-Lesch), Kiarni Stevens (South Bunbury), Abby Gellard (Bunbury). Coach - Maxwell Jetta (South Bunbury) Assistant coach - Glenn Obal (Bunbury)