The future looks bright for the Busselton Magpies nest with the club’s Colts team currently sitting undefeated at the top of the South West Football League ladder.
The closest competition the team has faced so far was Bunbury in round two, who they defeated by just three points.
Last weekend’s round five demolition of Carey Park by 137 points was much more representative of the team’s season so far.
In round four, the Pies eclipsed the Collie Eagles by 108 points, in round three it was Donnybrook who went down by 84 and in round one it was the Harvey Bulls who were the victim of a Maggie attack, beaten by 87.
Colts coach David Lewis told the Mail it was a great start to the season, but he was hesitant to predict a premiership finish.
“Last season the team did really well but lost both finals games and finished in third,” he said.
“We never look too far ahead, we set our goals at the start of season to be in the top three to get a double chance and that is what we are focusing on. There is a long season ahead.”
This weekend, the team will face off with Harvey Brunswick Leschenault who are in fifth, before competing for the Busselton Toyota Cup with fourth placed Augusta Margaret River Hawks at Gloucester Park in round seven.
Lewis said the next few rounds would be the test the team was waiting for.
“The reality is, out of the five games we’ve played, four of those games were against sides that are now in the bottom five,” he said.
“Our toughest games are ahead of us so it is a good challenge for us.”
The Colts squad is in a healthy condition thanks to its talented Year 11 and 12 stocks.
The club had so many numbers this season that they had to enter two sides in the competition.
Lewis said the quality of players made selection tough, and ensured a thriving future for the club.
“We have a very good squad, a very talented squad,” he said.
“We have a huge pool of really good players to draw from – we only have about 11 Colts aged guys, the rest are coming from the Year 11s and 12s.
“There a lot of great players who haven't even had an opportunity yet. It does make all the players go harder, to have that pressure underneath pushing up.
“The future of Busselton Football Club is very strong, even if we were to only keep 70 per cent of these players in town, we would still be really strong in years to come.”
The side’s success has earned them a new sponsor in the form of Chubb Fire and Security South West.
Area manager Tony O’Dwyer said the business was proud to support a club who were fostering young local talent in the region.
To find out how to sponsor the Magpies, visit busseltonfootballclub.com.au.
