History beckons in SWFL

A season of hard work will end in glory for one team this Sunday when the Collie Eagles and South Bunbury do battle for the 2016 South West Football League premiership.

Neither club has won a premiership in the past decade, with the Tigers last grand final victory coming in 2002, while the Collie Eagles have the chance to claim glory for the first time since 2005.

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Since then, both clubs have been on the wrong end of the ledger when it comes to grand finals, with the Collie Eagles being part of a historic draw with Busselton in 2012 before losing the replay the next week and then losing again to the Eaton Boomers in 2013.

The Tigers also lost to the Boomers in 2014, despite heading into the match as hot favourites.

South Bunbury also lost grand finals in 2003 (Carey Park), 2007 (Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault), 2009 (Carey Park), 2010 (Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault) and 2011 (Augusta-Margaret River).

The two coaches leading their sides this Sunday are no strangers to success though.

Mark Docking was the last premiership captain for the Tigers, while Clint Swallow was the coach of Tom Price Panthers when they won the premiership in the Fortescue Football League 1996.

If the Tigers win this weekend, it will be the 45th league premiership in the club’s history and 15th since the formation of the South West Football League in 1957.

It would be the Eagles’ third premiership since the merger of Mines Rovers and the Collie Saints in 2001 to create the Collie Eagles.

The two sides met on three occasions this season, with the Tigers winning in Rounds 3 and 12, before the Eagles were victorious in the second semi-final.

In great news for the SWFL and its pursuit of an even competition, five clubs will be represented this Sunday, with Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault fielding teams in the reserves and colts, while the Eaton Boomers will look to go back-to-back in the reserves and Bunbury the Lions will play in the colts.

The big occasion has also brought some stars out, with three-time Paralympian Brad Scott to toss the coin for the league match before handing out the premiership medallions to the winners.

Two-time Olympic Rower Alexandra Hagan will have the same honour in the reserves game.

Gates at Hands Oval open at 7am, with tickets for adults $15, concessions $10 and children $1.

Grand Final Fixtures

League: Collie Eagles v South Bunbury - 2.30pm

Reserves: Harv-Bruns-Lesch v Eaton Boomers - 11.45am

Colts: Harv-Bruns-Lesch v Bunbury - 9.15am