Topline Strikers break for Country Week

The South West Strikers women slammed Rockingham 7-0 last week to enter the second round of Promotion One hostilities in top spot.

Perched in the top three all season, the Strikers were handed an olive branch by previous top dog Fremantle, which crashed to lowly Peel Rebels last week, and Southern River, held to a two-all draw.

Now for the next phase for the dozen or more Strikers - who will be clawing at each other this weekend in the annual women's Country Week campaign.

Present holder of the country championship is Busselton, which pipped Bunbury at the post last season in the sides' perennial finals stoush.

Armchair favourite this season is Bunbury.

Bunbury will be putting up a powerful, experienced list in a bid to wrest back the title from neighbouring Busselton.

The southerners will be missing key player Penne Yorke but will still be competitive, with Strikers scorer Scout Regan and Carley Williamson to back up long-serving Dee Garstone.

Tiff Jecks, Dana Carter and former State goalkeeper Kym Pradera will be carrying the flag for Busselton.

They will be facing a formidable task in the loaded Bunbury division I team, spearheaded by a dozen State league stars.

Bunbury has also entered a division III side, two V sides and a masters side in a show of strength.

The blue riband division I favourite will be spearheaded by current Strikers sharpshooter Jenna Gmeiner, rising star Jacqui Hutton, Sally Brown, Meg Snelling, player-coach Anita Scott and Holly Hyder.

They will be well-supported by former Marist Cross Medallists Allyce Bachos and Sarah Gibson, lively DeeJay Hands, Lisa Blee, Sophie Johnson and goalkeeper Phoebe Smith.

Busselton and Bunbury have been split by officials into different pools in the hope of a blockbuster final.

Bunbury is paired with Lower Great Southern, Geraldton and East Avon.

Busselton has Eastern Goldfields, Upper Great Southern and Avon to contend with before the "crossovers".