Football supporters were the big winners throughout the 2022 SWFL season, with several quality players showcasing why the SWFL is regarded as the best country football league in WA.

Here, journalists Justin Fris and Carly Laden select their league team of the year.

BP: Zac Pethybridge (Busselton)

A real feel-good story in 2022, Pethybridge’s accountability in defence was a real asset for the Magpies. His success also resulted in being picked to represent the SWFL.

Not content to fly for flashy marks, the no-frills Pie is content to mostly punch the ball clear for his side to get out of danger.

FB: Kane Bumann (Bunbury)

Bumann is an experienced defender who never shirks tough assignments. He routinely plays on the opposing team’s best forward each week and always holds his own.

Arguably, his best performance of the season was against the Harvey Bulls in round 15, in which he kept league-leading goalkicker Brad Holmes very quiet.

BP: Lincoln Adams (Aug-Marg River)

Skipper of Augusta-Margaret River, Adams is always cool in crisis. A top communicator, he makes excellent decisions under pressure and is regarded as one of the best defenders in the competition.

Irrespective of the result, Adams will often be one of his side’s best.

HB: Patrick Farrant (Bunbury)

Although listed on the half-blank flank, Farrant is capable of playing almost anywhere on the ground because of his versatile nature.

A speedy player who has the ability to take your breath away with eye-catching skills, Farrant more often than not can be the difference for Bunbury if a game is up for grabs because of his unrivalled flair.

CHB: Tom Gorter (South Bunbury)

A raking left footer, Gorter adds calculated brilliance to any side he is involved with.

Originally from Kojonup, Gorter spent one season as a rookie with the West Coast Eagles — and this experience has served him well during his stint at South Bunbury.

Thrown in his ability to match up well on key forwards, and you have one of the first men picked for this team.

HB: Harley Bennell (Harvey Bulls)

Given an opportunity by Bulls duo Joe Rognetta (president) and Mark Pink (league coach) midway during the season, Bennell did not let anyone down.

Although Bennell did spend some time in the midfield like in his AFL days, he also held down a variety of defensive and ruck roles.

W: Jace Cormack (South Bunbury)

Everywhere Cormack plies his trade, success follows.

A vital cog in South Bunbury’s formidable midfield rotation, Cormack’s endurance again set him apart from others.

Despite the Tigers falling short by five points in the grand final, he received the Pike Medal for a best-on-ground performance.

C: Simon Moore (Aug-Marg River)

The phrase “ball on a string” was coined for players such as Moore, given his uncanny ability to not only find the football, but create and use it effectively when in possession.

Already a household name in the Augusta-Margaret River region prior to 2022, Moore claimed several individual honours — the Hayward Medal, Kia media player of the year, league best and fairest and league player of the finals — which ensured he will go down as a Hawks club great.

W: Braden Fimmano (Harvey Bulls)

Son of South Fremantle and Harvey Bulls icon Ned, Fimmano added another layer of polish to his impressive SWFL career.

One of Mark Pink’s prime movers, Fimmano worked hard in all roles assigned to him and was one of the SWFL’s best at the Nutrien Ag Solutions country football championships in Perth.

HF: Dylan Heasman (Bunbury)

Heasman has the X factor. An in-and-under player with pace to burn, Heasman is one of the longest kicks in the competition. His purple patches of brilliance are so deadly at times, rival teams can be powerless to stop him.

CHF: Jordan Strahan (South Bunbury)

Strahan became South Bunbury’s official spearhead this year, kicking 62 goals in 21 matches. Aside from a few quieter afternoons against Augusta-Margaret River, Strahan regularly finished off the midfielders’ silver service. Tigers supporters are unlikely to forget his feast at the Collie Recreation Ground in Round 3, when he finished with 10 goals.

HF: Greg Humphries (Eaton Boomers)

One of the best sights in South West football (unless you are on the opposing team) is seeing Greg Humphries effortlessly take control of a game.

With his excellent leap and slick ball handling, Humphries provides extra grunt in the forward line for the Eaton Boomers and he worked extremely hard throughout 2022.

FP: Liam Creighton (Busselton)

Creighton is nothing short of a livewire up forward.

An exciting player who can seemingly create something out of nothing, the mobile Magpies speedster had arguably a career-best season in 2022 under coach Daniel Delaney.

FF: Brad Holmes (Harvey Bulls)

From the moment he arrived at the Harvey Recreation Ground, Holmes has provided a smorgasbord of five-star performances.

A multiple leading league goalkicker, the former Peel Thunder forward commands respect and attention each week from quality defenders.

Although his goals win games, it’s Holmes’ superior body positioning which often catches the eye.

FP: Zac Trigwell (Donnybrook)

Donnybrook benefitted greatly from Trigwell this season, and his deeds up forward or in the air were noticed by the WACFL’s coaching hierarchy.

During the State game against South Australia at Adelaide Oval, Trigwell did not look out of place and appears likely to have a good opportunity at WAFL level should he choose it one day.

RUCK: Thomas Wood (Harvey Bulls)

Although he has the size and presence of a ruckman, Wood’s mobility and excellent skill level often result in him being viewed as an additional small midfielder.

Wood’s ability to win centre stoppages gave the Bulls a massive advantage all season — a trend which he continued while on SWFL duty and was extremely stiff to miss out on “All-Star” status at the carnival.

ROVER: Shaun Crane (South Bunbury)

Crane returned to South Bunbury after winning consecutive Phelan medals in the AFL Sydney competition with North Shore and the charismatic on-baller made sure he brought back plenty of that magic with him.

Whether he is 100 per cent or suffering a few niggles, Crane will not only always give you a contest, but he will always have plenty of heart and a positive attitude.

RUCK-ROVER: Mitchell Tenardi (Busselton)

Regarded as one of the most accurate kicks in South West, Tenardi possesses an excellent motor which lasts across four quarters.

While damaging in space, he is equally brutal in terms of winning contested possessions, and has won multiple fairest and best awards (including this year) for his beloved Busselton.

INTERCHANGE (from):

Jay Crossman (South Bunbury)

Along with Tom Gorter and Chis Atthowe, Crossman quickly become regarded as one of the best lockdown defenders at Tigerland.

However, the tell-tale sign of a complete footballer is a player who can maximise the most of any situation. Crossman did this during a tight game against Donnybrook at VC Mitchell Park, with his two goals (he kicked three for the season) ultimately getting South over the line to win the Dr Ern Manea Cup/Chris Sheehan memorial game.

Tim Noakes (Aug-Marg River)

Affectionally known as “Toakes”, this classy veteran still knows where the goals are. Although his playing availability was sometimes limited because of work interstate, Noakes always was at his best when donning the green-and-gold.

His best effort was in the final home-and-away season match against Bunbury, when he kicked nine goals, sealing the minor premiership. Overall, Noakes booted 40 goals across 13 games.

Ben Howlett (Donnybrook)

Regarded as the biggest-ever signing in SWFL history, the former Essendon player returned home to VC Mitchell Park after a stint in the WAFL with Peel Thunder.

Howlett’s experience of playing at the highest level was massive for the Dons. During matches, he would always offer positive advice for teammates and would not rest until he had seen them succeed.

Tyson Powell (Harvey Bulls)

Powell is the ultimate swingman. Not only can he be a reliable target in the forward line, but he can also take control of the ruck when called upon.

A man who is very agile and fit, Powell was a massive plus for the Bulls this season and is rated very highly by coach Mark Pink.

Reid Kinninmont (Harv-Bruns-Lesch)

The Lions might have missed out on finals, however, this was not the fault of enterprising youngster Reid Kinninmont, who was easily one of his side’s most consistent players in the midfield.

Early season form at club level ensured Kinninmont received his first taste of senior representative football in July, which appeared to aid him for the remainder of the season.

Jordan Falco (Eaton Boomers)

Whenever Boomers coach Darren Rigby needed someone he could rely on, Jordan Falco stepped up and made a difference.

Falco, who has been in the top echelon of South West footballers for more than five years, very rarely played a bad game this year.

Lloyd Beever (Harvey Bulls)

Having spent plenty of time playing in the Peel Football and Netball League, Beever brought plenty of knowledge with him to the Bulls — and from his first impressive performance against the Eaton Boomers, Bulls fans knew they were on to a winner.

Beever’s courage is something any coach would dream of, and he is very rarely thrown off his game.

CAPTAIN: Simon Moore (Aug-Marg River)

Moore is a player who makes everyone around him better. Aside from leading by example on the ground, he always aims to encourage his teammates in the face of adversity.

COACH: Matt Jamieson (Aug-Marg River)

A two-time SWFL premiership coach, Jamieson is a man who is widely respected across the competition. Aside from possessing an excellent football IQ, his player management and welfare skills are second to none.