SWFL 2023: Is this regional WA’s footy capital? Busselton’s out in front when it comes to senior football

Is Busselton regional WA’s undisputed location for senior football superiority? With a combined 42-1 record so far in 2023 across all three of its senior teams, it’d be hard to argue against it. In the SWFL, Busselton Magpies league team are on top of the ladder (17-0, 197.4 per cent, 68 points) with a four-game buffer over second-placed Carey Park and have already secured the minor premiership. The Magpies’ women’s team (15-1, 1330.5 per cent, 60 points), last season’s premiers, also head the women’s competition, having conceded a miserly 72 points this season. Incredibly, Rennie Meadmore’s side didn’t concede a single behind until round 6 against the Harvey Bulls, meaning they had zero percentage despite being undefeated during this period. In the Onshore Cup Football Association, the Busselton Bombers also finished their home-and-away season undefeated, with 10 wins from as many matches. So how has Busselton become so successful at senior football? “Everything eight years ago that we put in place with our Year 11/12 and colts teams is still there,” Magpies league coach Daniel Delaney said. “When I came into league ranks from the colts, we handed it over, and Ray Gannaway now does the colts, but it’s still the same. “We keep our feeder teams feeding — from our five junior teams into our Year 11/12s and that feeds through to our colts. “I think this is the most important thing and if you look at some of the other clubs, like Bunbury, who have been successful and around the top for a long time, they are very similar with their youth programs to us. “You keep bringing them through, keep numbers in your club and you are successful. But if you don’t put the work into the juniors, going into Year 11/12s, you’re in all sorts of strife, there’s no doubt about it.” Aside from placing an emphasis on homegrown talent, players don’t dare miss training at Sir Stewart Bovell Park — as if you give up your spot, there’s no guarrantee you can get back into the team, given more than 50 senior players regularly on the track each week. When Meadmore initially crossed over from netball to football, the Magpies were not a finals team. On the fringes of the top four, they were competitive, but often defeated heavily. Four years later, Busselton are shooting for a second consecutive women’s premiership. However, despite several senior players who have been at the club for years, Meadmore isn’t afraid of giving youth a chance. Two of these young players, Havana Milner and Sabella Banks, have routinely featured in Meadmore’s best players over the past month. “It’s really exciting,” Meadmore said. “Being in a head coach position, for me is hoping the youth connection continues to grow. We are not ‘the scary women’s team’ at the end. We want those young girls coming up and having a good ‘ol crack when they’re ready.” The Bombers open their finals campaign on Saturday at home to the Dunsborough Mulies, with a win ensuring a direct path to the grand final on August 26.