SWFL Grand Final ... Take 2

Sunday's South West Football League grand final second-helping will be the first and possibly last of its kind in the region, following a backlash against the replay policy.

Players and coaches preparing for the repeat have criticised the antique law, which dates back to the league’s formation in 1957.

The policy came under the spotlight after the Collie Eagles and Busselton drew the grand final at Hands Oval — the first at league level in South West football history.

In the wake of the result, Eagles’ coach Brett Earl called for the law to be changed while captain Matt Blackford dubbed it ‘‘stupid’’.

Busselton skipper Sam Shepherd said extra time would be a better way to decide the contest.

But SWFL president Kevin Lynn said the ruling was part of the league’s constitution.

It is consistent with similar rules in the AFL, where three grand finals have been drawn and replayed.

‘‘We have never had a draw in a (league) grand final,’’ Lynn said.

‘‘Clubs have rejected the opportunity to change it so we have got the 1957 rule.’’

He said Sunday’s match was one of the best games of county football he had seen.

‘‘I guess it will be disappointing for the players who will have to do it all again next week,’’ Lynn said.

Blackford gave a blunt post-match assessment of what he described as a ‘‘gut-wrenching’’ situation.

Because it had never happened before, Blackford claimed he had been unaware of the replay policy.

‘‘There you go, we have made history,’’ he said.

‘‘I still think it is stupid.’’

Earl said he would have preferred the contest be decided in extra time.

‘‘The result is just done then, we don’t have to wait for another week,’’ he said.

‘‘A lot of people have got plans and work commitments.

‘‘I think it is a bad ruling. Our blokes had holidays booked.’’

Busselton coach Darian Cheffers was philosophical about the replay and revealed an eerie pre-match omen which transpired at a luncheon in the lead-up to the game.

‘‘Surprisingly enough, at that function on Friday I sat next to Kevin Lynn and he was talking about what would happen if it was a draw,’’ Cheffers said.

Sunday’s game was the first drawn grand final in the South West since the 1969 reserves decider when Harvey-Brunswick and Mines Rovers tied.

They had also drawn the second semi-final two weeks earlier.