SWFL 2022: South Western Times footy journalists make predictions on how season will play out

With the first bouncedown of the 2022 South West Football League season just days away, journalists Justin Fris, Jackson Barrett, Luke McPherson and Carly Laden have made their predictions on how the men’s and women’s leagues will play out. Justin Fris 2022 SWFL predictions Final home-and-away standings 1) Bunbury 2) Augusta-Margaret River 3) South Bunbury 4) Busselton 5) Eaton Boomers 6) Carey Park 7) Donnybrook 8) Harvey Bulls 9) Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 10) Collie Eagles Premiers: Augusta-Margaret River Wooden spoon: Collie Eagles Hayward Medal: Jace Cormack (South Bunbury) Headline I’d like to see: “SWFL returns to top of country week summit” Headline most likely to see: “South West COVID-19 outbreak compromises matches” After the grand final, we will talk about: How much of a tough year it was for everyone in the football community, due to the challenges of living with COVID-19, challenges not seen before in WA before this year. With rising case numbers, clubs worked hard to minimise disruptions within their teams to help the show continue. We will talk about several young stars who graduated successfully from colts football and showed they have a bright future at league level. 2022 SWFL women’s competition predictions Final home-and-away standings 1) South Bunbury 2) Busselton 3) Bunbury 4) Donnybrook 5) Harvey Bulls 6) Eaton Boomers 7) Carey Park 8) Dunsborough Sharks 9) Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Premiers: Busselton Wooden spoon: Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Nola Marino Medal: Charli Wicksteed (South Bunbury) Headline I’d like to see: “WAFC gives green light for South West-based WAFLW club” Headline most likely to see: “Massive influx of WAFLW players for final two months of matches” After the grand final, we will talk about: Although our competition is becoming the premier women’s league outside of the WAFLW, a need to ensure local players do not get overlooked because of travelling WAFLW players will have to be addressed. Regardless of where they finish, we will likely speak about Busselton’s brilliant decision to appoint former captain Rennie Meadmore as coach — with her leadership encouraging a wider range of women to play football at Sir Stewart Bovell Park. Jackson Barrett 2022 SWFL predictions Final home-and-away standings 1) South Bunbury 2) Augusta-Margaret River 3) Bunbury 4) Busselton 5) Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 6) Eaton Boomers 7) Carey Park 8) Donnybrook 9) Harvey Bulls 10) Collie Eagles Premiers: Augusta-Margaret River Hayward Medal: Jacob Dragovich (Eaton Boomers) Headline I’d like to see: “Howlett drags Donnybrook to surprise finals return” Headline I think we will see: “AMR go back-to-back again” After the grand final we will be talking about: Has Simon Moore put together the best two seasons of any league player ever? 2022 SWFL women’s competition predictions Final home-and-away standings 1) South Bunbury 2) Busselton 3) Bunbury 4) Eaton Boomers 5) Harvey Bulls 6) Donnybrook 7) Carey Park 8) Dunsborough Sharks 9) Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Premiers: South Bunbury Nola Marino Medal: Ruby Mahony (Bunbury) Headline I’d like to see: “Busselton’s AFL stars lead them to flag” Headline I think we will see: “South Bunbury continue their incredible dynasty” After the grand final we will be talking about: South Bunbury is still the greatest team we’ve ever seen. Luke McPherson 2022 SWFL predictions Final home-and-away standings 1) Augusta-Margaret River 2) South Bunbury 3) Bunbury 4) Busselton 5) Donnybrook 6) Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 7) Harvey Bulls 8) Carey Park 9) Collie Eagles 10) Eaton Boomers Premiers: South Bunbury Hayward Medal: Brendan Tingey (Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault) Headline I’d like to see: “Bulls back in September football” Headline I think we will see: “New stars bring SWFL flag back to South Bunbury” After the grand final we will be talking about: Is South Bunbury’s midfield the best we have seen in the SWFL? 2022 SWFL women’s competition predictions Final home-and-away standings 1) South Bunbury 2) Busselton 3) Harvey Bulls 4) Bunbury 5) Donnybrook 6) Eaton Boomers 7) Carey Park 8) Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 9) Dunsborough Sharks Premiers: South Bunbury Nola Marino Medal: Ruby Mahony (Bunbury) Headline I’d like to see: “Harvey women’s sides both in finals” Headline I think we will see: “South Bunbury do the double in SWFL women’s and men’s” After the grand final we will be talking about: Can anyone beat South Bunbury? Carly Laden 2022 SWFL predictions Final home-and-away standings 1. Busselton 2. Bunbury 3. Augusta-Margaret River 4. South Bunbury 5. Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 6. Donnybrook 7. Carey Park 8. Collie Eagles 9. Harvey Bulls 10. Eaton Boomers Premiers - Bunbury Wooden Spoon - Eaton Boomers Hayward Medal - Jace Cormack (South Bunbury) Headline I’d like to see – “Magpies avenge 2021 heartbreaker” Headline most likely to see – “Burgo gets one up on old club” After the grand final we will talk about: How clubs continue to bring the heat across the board in another highly competitive season. With several clubs welcoming new coaches at the helm along with plenty of player movement and big signings during the off-season, it would be safe to expect the unexpected. 2022 SWFL women’s competition predictions Final home-and-away standings 1. Bunbury 2. South Bunbury 3. Busselton 4. Donnybrook 5. Harvey Bulls 6. Eaton Boomers 7. Carey Park 8. Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 9. Dunsborough Premiers - Bunbury Wooden Spoon – Dunsborough Sharks Marino Medal – Beth Beckett (Busselton) Headline I’d like to see – “Dons make maiden finals berth” Headline most likely to see – “Bunbury Derby Grand Final 2: Electric Boogaloo” After the grand final we will talk about: Is the stark difference in skill level among the clubs helping or hurting the competition? With the likes of Bunbury, South Bunbury, Harvey and Busselton consistently in the women’s finals conversation, it will be nice to see if other teams that might have flown under the radar can rise up through the ranks and surprise everyone.