Football: Round 2 fixtures

Eaton can re-write the club’s history and make the South West Football League finals for the first time in more than a decade, according to captain Will Oelsnik.

After his side’s impressive round one victory over Carey Park a fortnight ago, Oelsnik said the young Boomers could improve on their sixth-placed finish in 2010.

Eaton have not made the league finals since they changed their name from Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup at the turn of the century andwill this Sunday take on reigning premiers Harvey-Brunswick- Leschenault who appear a shadow of the side that completed a devastating raid on league silverware last year.

Oelsnik, in his second year as captain of the club, said that redemption was a theme right through the grades at Eaton.

‘‘Not just for the league side but the colts side made the grand final and lost, the reserves were among the top two sides for all of the year and then bowed out in the finals,’’ he said.

‘‘But with the league side especially, we’ve got a chance to do something that no other team at Eaton has done before and that’s play in the finals.’’

Eaton were the only side to defeat the Lions twice last season, including a memorable 22-point boilover triumph on the eve of the 2010 finals series.

Despite the euphoria surrounding that round 18 win last year, the Boomers finished a slender two points outside the top five and Oelsnik said the team was keen to make amends.

‘‘Having such a young group I suppose that last year was a pretty big learning curve,’’ he said.

‘‘We got to know each other’s games a little bit, but now the majority of us have played close to 30-odd games now.

Last week, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault were without the services of premiership heroes Daniel Hoghton, Mick Sherry, Glenn Clarke, Kingsley Walker, Scott Wescombe and John Klumpp.

SWFL Fixtures, round 2:

Saturday, April 30:

Busselton v Collie Eagles, SS Bovell Park.

Sunday, May 1:

Eaton Boomers v Harv-Bruns-Lesch, Glen Huon Reserve.

Harvey Bulls v Carey Park, Harvey Rec Ground.

Bunbury v Aug-Marg River, Payne Park.

South Bunbury v Donnybrook, Hands Oval.