Bunbury Mail Footy HQ writer Justin Rake gives his predictions for the 2014 South West Football League season and lists the teams in order he predicts they will finish.
1. Eaton Boomers
After last season it’s impossible to leave Eaton out of your number one spot.
The Boomers were an absolute force dropping only one game last year and they have maintained a majority of their squad.
2. Bunbury Bulldogs
Bunbury is certainly a side poised to go deep into the finals this year with one of the best lists in the league.
After a disappointing 2013 season the Bulldogs will be looking to hit back hard and a successful off season should allow them to do so.
3. South Bunbury Tigers
South Bunbury was a surprise package in 2013 finishing second after a disappointing 2012 season.
Yet they will still be disappointed in how their season ended leaving the finals earlier than they would have liked.
4. Carey Park Panthers
In their centenary year, Carey Park will look to bounce back from a bad season last year and make the five with former premiership coach John Baggetta back at the helm.
Baggetta always seems to attract a heavy dosage of high calibre recruits and given the right playing group he can have a big say on where his team finishes.
5. Collie Eagles
Collie can be counted on every season for a strong finish due to their outstandingly brutal game plan.
A hard, tough and physical brand of football allows them to stand up to every side in the competition.
6. Busselton Magpies
Busselton has had a relatively quiet yet progressive off season welcoming back 2005 Hayward medallist Nathan Bradbury and recruiting former Swan District player Kyle Hams.
Powerhouse ruckman Brent Hall will also be welcomed back into the side after injury sidelined him in 2013.
7. Harvey Bulls
The Harvey Bulls have had an up and down off season losing multiple players and gaining some solid new ones in their place.
At one point it seemed Harvey was going to challenge for a good run at the finals but after a few player losses it’s hard to see Harvey posting much of a difference from last season.
8. Augusta-Margaret River Hawks
The Hawks could be in for another rough season similar to their 2012 grand final hangover with the loss of Tim Noakes affecting the Hawks in a huge way.
The old football cliché of one man not making an entire team goes out the window with Augusta-Margaret River – without Tim Noakes the Hawks will not win games.
9. Donnybrook
Donnybrook had an improved season last year due mainly to the help of Hayward medallist Jeff Smith.
But can a side with so little depth challenge for much longer?
10. Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Lions
Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault are a team full of young players and with youth comes inconsistency, so the Lions could find themselves as high as sixth or as low as last.
Either way, it’s hard to see them finding a way into the final five.
