South West Football League
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The South West Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the south-west of Western Australia. The league is affiliated to Country Football WA, formerly known as the West Australian Country Football League.[1]
| South West Football League | |
| Established | 1957 (Bunbury/Collie league 1953) |
| Teams | 11 |
| 2025 premiers | South Bunbury |
| Most premierships | 20 - South Bunbury |
| Website | www.swfl.com.au |
History
The idea of creating a larger league was discussed early in 1951.[2] The idea that three clubs from the Collie Football Association and the three clubs from the Bunbury Football association would invigorate public interest in the South West region on the state. Talks continued into 1952 and it was finally agreed to trial a competition with all the two associations clubs for a two-year period. The associations administrations would remain separate. Sensing opportunity, Donnybrook left their local competition to become the seventh club.[3]
In 1953 the Bunbury-Collie League was founded with seven teams. South Bunbury, Bunbury Railways, Bunbury Pastimes, Mines Rovers, Collie Railways, Centrals and Donnybrook. The public response was evident, interest was up, attendances to games were up and the general standard of play improved greatly.
The trial was deemed so successful that it kicked off a series of consolidations of smaller leagues within the state of Western Australia.
- 1954 Eastern and Western Districts Busselton commenced from Busselton FA.
- 1955 Eastern and Western Districts Busselton amalgamated to become Busselton
- 1956 Harvey Brunswick admitted, Bunbury Pastimes becomes Carey Park
- 1957, the league changed names to the South West National Football League.
- 1959 Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup joins
- 1961 Collie Railways and centrals amalgamate to become Collie
- 1966 Augusta-Margaret River joins
- 1990 Harvey Brunswick become Harvey Brunswick Leschenault
- 1991 The league changes its name to the South West Football League
- 2000 Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup relocates to Eaton and changes name to Eaton Boomers.
- 2001 Collie and Mines Rovers amalgamated to become Collie Eagles[4]
- 2009 Harvey Bulls commence, transferred from Peel Football League.
- 2022 Dunsborough Sharks women's, colts and reserves team commence playing
- 2023 Dunsborough Sharks league team commence playing
Expansion
In 1993 a proposed submission from the new Harvey Football Club was rejected because the SWFL believed 10 teams was a sufficient number. Harvey then put in a successful submission into the Peel Football League where they played their first season in 1994.
The start of the 2009 season saw the introduction of the Harvey Bulls, who made the move over from the expanding Peel Football League. This was different from their bid in 1993, as they had nowhere else to go. The SWFL were also looking for a tenth team (after the merger of Collie and Mines) to get rid of the dreaded bye and extended season. Harvey left the PFL because of the rumour of Perth teams entering the PFL for 2009 so therefore increasing travel commitments. This idea fell through but Harvey still joined the SWFL after an 8–1 vote by the SWFL clubs, with HBL the only club opposing the idea.
During January 2021, the Dunsborough Sharks, who field juniors teams in the South West put in an application to field a colts side ahead of the 2021 season. This was rejected. Post the 2021 season the Dunsborough Sharks put in an application for a Reserves, Colts and Women's team for the 2022 season. These applications were accepted with a 7–3 vote, allowing the Sharks to field a league team for the 2023 season.
Clubs
Locations
Current
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in SWFL | SWFL Premierships | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | |||||||
| Augusta Margaret River |  |
Hawks | Gloucester Park, Margaret River | – | 1966 | 1966- | 5 | 1994, 1995, 2011, 2021, 2022 |
| Bunbury |  |
Bulldogs | PC Payne Park, Bunbury | BFA | 1892 | 1953- | 10 | 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1970, 1982, 1983, 2001, 2017, 2020 |
| Busselton |  |
Magpies | Sir Stuart Bovell Park, Busselton | – | 1955 | 1955- | 6 | 1964, 1967, 1978, 1996, 2012, 2015, 2023 |
| Carey Park (Bunbury Pastimes 1953-56) |  |
Panthers | Kelly Park, Bunbury | BFA | 1914 | 1953- | 7 | 1963, 1973, 1986, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009 |
| Collie Eagles |  |
Eagles | Collie Recreation Ground, Collie | – | 2002 | 2002- | 2 | 2004, 2005 |
| Dunsborough |  |
Sharks | Dunsborough Playing Fields, Dunsborough | – | 1996 | 2022- | 0 | - |
| Donnybrook |  |
Dons | VC Mitchell Park, Donnybrook | DFA | 1897 | 1953- | 5 | 1977, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2018 |
| Eaton (Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup 1959-99) |   |
Boomers | Glen Huon Oval, Eaton | – | 1959 | 1959- | 2 | 2013, 2014 |
| Harvey Bulls |  |
Bulls | Harvey Recreation Ground, Harvey | PFNL | 1994 | 2009- | 0 | - |
| Harvey Brunswick Leschenault (Harvey Brunswick 1956-90) |  |
Lions | Brunswick Oval, Brunswick Junction | HBFA | 1956 | 1956- | 9 | 1960, 1974, 1975, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2007, 2010, 2019 |
| South Bunbury |  |
Tigers | Hands Oval, South Bunbury | BFA | 1897 | 1953- | 20 | 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1993, 2002, 2016, 2024, 2025 |
Former
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in SWFL | SWFL Premierships | Fate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | ||||||||
| Collie Centrals |  |
Centrals | Collie Recreation Ground, Collie | CFA | 1953-1961 | 0 | - | Merged with Collie Railways to form Collie Saints in 1962 | |
| Collie Railways | Collie Recreation Ground, Collie | CFA | 1953-1961 | 0 | - | Merged with Collie Centrals to form Collie Saints in 1962 | |||
| Collie Saints |  |
Saints | Collie Recreation Ground, Collie | – | 1962 | 1962-2001 | 2 | 1972, 1987 | Merged with Mines Rovers to form Collie Eagles in 2002 |
| East Busselton | BFA | 1954 | 0 | - | Merged with West Busselton to form Busselton in 1955 | ||||
| Mines Rovers | .svg) |
Rovers | Collie Recreation Ground, Collie | CFA | 1953-2001 | 4 | 1965, 1969, 1979, 1997 | Merged with Collie Saints to form Collie Eagles in 2002 | |
| West Busselton | BFA | 1954 | 0 | - | Merged with East Busselton to form Busselton in 1955 | ||||
Grand Finals (2009–2024)
| Year | Premier | Score | Runner up | Score | Pike Medalist | Field Umpires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Carey Park | 8.7(55) | South Bunbury | 4.9 (33) | Scott Roche (CP) | Anthony Raudino, Mike Hearne, Kane Whittaker | |
| 2010 | Harvey Brunswick Leschanult | 9.11 (65) | South Bunbury | 6.11(47) | Daniel Houghton (HBL) | Anthony Raudino, Mike Hearne, Kane Whittaker | |
| 2011 | Augusta Margaret River | 13.11 (89) | South Bunbury | 9.7(61) | Cody Miller (AMR) | Mike Hearne, Kane Whittaker, Cam Edmonds (EMG Jodi Maisley) | |
| 2012 | Busselton | 9.14 (68) (Draw), 11.8 (74)(Replay) | Collie Eagles | 10.8 (68) (Draw) 5.9 (39) (Replay) | Dan McGinlay (BSN), Louis Davies (BSN) | Paul Matthews, Peter Franklin, Anthony Raudino (Draw), Scott Jones (EMG Draw, Main Replay), (EMG Replay Matt Carpenter) | |
| 2013 | Eaton Boomers | 9.13 (67) | Collie Eagles | 6.7 (43) | Gino Catalano/]osh Bowe/Michael Battaglia (EB) | Paul Matthews, Scott Jones, Matt Carpenter (EMG Aaron Andrews) | |
| 2014 | Eaton Boomers | 10.9 (69) | South Bunbury | 5.8 (38) | Chris Atthowe (EB) | Aaron Andrews, Scott Jones, Glen Omodei (EMG Peter Franklin) | |
| 2015 | Busselton | 15.13 (103) | Carey Park | 7.16 (58) | Brent Hall (BSN) | Adam Hauswirth, Glen Omodei, Kevin Hutchins (EMG Bernie Stokes) | |
| 2016 | South Bunbury | 12.14 (86) | Collie Eagles | 4.7 (31) | Dylan Harper (SB) | Adam Hauswirth, Aaron Andrews, Zak Shurko (EMG Matt Stewart) | |
| 2017 | Bunbury | 10.8 (68) | Harvey Brunswick Leschanult | 2.6 (18) | Aidan Clarke (BB) | Adam Hauswirth, Aaron Andrews, Shane Miller (EMG Kevin Hutchins) | |
| 2018 | Donnybrook | 16.16 (112) | Bunbury | 11.7 (74) | Brett Eades (DBK) | Mike Hearne, Aaron Andrews, Kevin Hutchins (EMG Darren Browne) | |
| 2019 | Harvey Brunswick Leschanult | 9.11 (65) | Eaton Boomers | 4.12 (36) | Jack Fletcher (HBL) | Greg Rolfe, Matt Carpenter, Damien O'Donoghue (EMG Kevin Hutchins) | |
| 2020 | Bunbury Bulldogs | 11.8 (74) | Busselton Magpies | 10.9 (69) | Jesse Gribble (BB) | Greg Rolfe, Aaron Andrews, Scott Jones (EMG Paul Davey) | |
| 2021 | Augusta Margaret River | 10.6 (66) | Busselton Magpies | 3.8 (26) | Simon Moore (AMR) | Scott Jones, Greg Rolfe, Mike Hearne (EMG Cam Edmonds) | |
| 2022 | Augusta Margaret River | 5.7 (37) | South Bunbury | 4.9 (33) | Jace Cormack (SB) | ||
| 2023 | Busselton | 8.13 (61) | Carey Park | 8.10 (58) | Cooper Sparks (CP) | ||
| 2024 | South Bunbury | 15.9 (99) | Bunbury | 8.9 (57) | Tyson Lane (SB) | ||
| 2025 | South Bunbury | 10.14 (74) | Busselton | 10.13 (73) | Kade Wallrodt (SB) |
Awards
Hayward Medal (Best & Fairest)
| Year | Winner | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | John Ellis | Carey Park | |
| 1954 | Gil Brennan | Busselton | |
| 1955 | Robert Farquhar | South Bunbury | |
| 1956 | Mayne Coverley | Mines Rovers | |
| 1957 | Mayne Coverley | Mines Rovers | 19 |
| 1958 | Mayne Coverley | Mines Rovers | 18 |
| 1959 | Robert Farquhar | South Bunbury | 22 |
| 1960 | George Annandale | Mines Rovers | 23 |
| 1961 | Syd Jackson | South Bunbury | 22 |
| 1962 | Syd Jackson | South Bunbury | 19 |
| 1963 | Neville Carter | Busselton | 16 |
| 1964 | Ray Scott
Barry Annandale |
Boyanup Capel Dardanup
Mines Rovers |
18 |
| 1965 | John Rogers | Bunbury | 23 |
| 1966 | Mick Merritt | Augusta Margaret River | 27 |
| 1967 | Jack Sumich | Mines Rovers | 27 |
| 1968 | Max McGuire
Ian Fisher |
Bunbury
Harvey Brunswick |
20 |
| 1969 | Terry House | South Bunbury | 22 |
| 1970 | George Spalding | Bunbury | 23 |
| 1971 | Keith Bedford
Merv Kennedy |
Donnybrook
South Bunbury |
14 |
| 1972 | David Barnard | Boyanup Capel Dardanup | 20 |
| 1973 | Terry House | South Bunbury | 19 |
| 1974 | Merv Kennedy | South Bunbury | 24 |
| 1975 | Rod Saunders
Bill Hayward |
Mines Rovers
Collie |
27 |
| 1976 | Ross Tyson | Augusta Margaret River | 24 |
| 1977 | Ross Tyson | Augusta Margaret River | 29 |
| 1978 | Wayne Watterson | Busselton | 23 |
| 1979 | John Awcock | Donnybrook | 22 |
| 1980 | John Cormack | Carey Park | 23 |
| 1981 | Peter Ivanoff | Augusta Margaret River | 39 |
| 1982 | Leigh Wright | South Bunbury | 25 |
| 1983 | David Morris | Harvey Brunswick | 28 |
| 1984 | Peter Old | South Bunbury | 21 |
| 1985 | Richie Lee | Augusta Margaret River | 19 |
| 1986 | Richie Lee | Augusta Margaret River | 23 |
| 1987 | Grant Hawkes | Bunbury | 25 |
| 1988 | Mark Skehan
Graham Jeffrey |
Carey Park
Harvey Brunswick |
22 |
| 1989 | Mark Blakely | Boyanup Capel Dardanup | 28 |
| 1990 | Darren Best
Justin Cook |
Boyanup Capel Dardanup
Augusta Margaret River |
21 |
| 1991 | Graham Jeffrey | Harvey Brunswick | 21 |
| 1992 | Brett Glass | Boyanup Capel Dardanup | 23 |
| 1993 | Grant Hawkes | Bunbury | 29 |
| 1994 | Blair Carter | Busselton | 21 |
| 1995 | Swan Widdeston | Carey Park | 19 |
| 1996 | Shane Atherton | Donnnybrook | 19 |
| 1997 | Tony Strano
Craig Chiswell |
Harvey Brunswick Leschenault
Donnybrook |
23 |
| 1998 | Michael Miller | Busselton | 26 |
| 1999 | Aaron Marley | Mines Rovers | 37 |
| 2000 | Peter Worsfold | Donnybrook | 32 |
| 2001 | Jamie Nani | Bunbury | 34 |
| 2002 | Craig Chiswell | Donnybrook | 15 |
| 2003 | James McRae | Carey Park | 24 |
| 2004 | Rhys Croxford | Carey Park | 23 |
| 2005 | Michael Sherry
Nathan Bradbury |
Bunbury
Busselton |
24 |
| 2006 | Travis Edmonds | Carey Park | 23 |
| 2007 | John Klumpp | Harvey Brunswick Leschenault | 18 |
| 2008 | Justin Wilson | Carey Park | 23 |
| 2009 | Jeff Smith | Donnybrook | 22 |
| 2010 | Jesse Gribble | Bunbury | 24 |
| 2011 | Ryan MacKenzie | South Bunbury | 29 |
| 2012 | Jeremy Humm | Augusta Margaret River | 19 |
| 2013 | Jeff Smith | Donnybrook | 29 |
| 2014 | Jesse Gribble | Bunbury | 27 |
| 2015 | Chris Kane | Busselton | 25 |
| 2016 | Jace Cormack | Eaton Boomers | 29 |
| 2017 | Travis Cleggett | Collie Eagles | 25 |
| 2018 | Mitch Lynn | Augusta Margaret River | 31 |
| 2019 | Jesse Critchon | Harvey Brunswick Leschenault | 22 |
| 2020 | Brendan Tingey | Harvey Brunswick Leschenault | 14 |
| 2021 | Simon Moore | Augusta Margaret River | 28 |
| 2022 | Simon Moore | Augusta Margaret River | 31 |
| 2023 | Harley Sparks | Carey Park | 42 |
| 2024 | Ty Anderson | Harvey Brunswick Leschenault | 34 |
| 2025 | Ty Anderson
Jed Spence |
Harvey Brunswick Leschenault
Augusta Margaret River |
24 |
| 2026 | Mitch Tenardi | Busselton | 27 |
Leading Goalkicker
| Year | Winner | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Ron Tresize | Bunbury | 43 |
| 1958 | Ron Tresize
A Howlett |
Bunbury
Donnybrook |
48 |
| 1959 | Ron Tresize | Bunbury | |
| 1960 | Jim Rowberry | Harvey Brunswick | |
| 1961 | J Williams | Donnybrook | 55 |
| 1962 | T Williams | Boyanup Capel Dardanup | 53 |
| 1963 | John Rogers | Bunbury | 83 |
| 1964 | Brian Pross | Busselton | 104 |
| 1965 | Brian Pross | Busselton | 59 |
| 1966 | Don Aldersea | South Bunbury | 59 |
| 1967 | Don Aldersea | South Bunbury | 87 |
| 1968 | Ray Browning | Donnybrook | 57 |
| 1969 | Peter Betti | Donnybrook | 57 |
| 1970 | Eric Gorman | Mines Rovers | 84 |
| 1971 | Sid Simeon | Boyanup Capel Dardanup | 71 |
| 1972 | Sid Simeon | South Bunbury | 67 |
| 1973 | David Lightfoot | Carey Park | 113 |
| 1974 | Mark Olsen | Harvey Brunswick | 82 |
| 1975 | Basil Little | Harvey Brunswick | 81 |
| 1976 | David Lightfoot | Carey Park | 75 |
| 1977 | Geoff Saunders | Mines Rovers | 55 |
| 1978 | Mark Patrick
John Willoughby |
South Bunbury
Bunbury |
60 |
| 1979 | John Willoughby | Bunbury | 74 |
| 1980 | Paul Harris | South Bunbury | 70 |
| 1981 | Ray Witt | Carey Park | 90 |
| 1982 | Craig Hawkes | Bunbury | 78 |
| 1983 | David Gaunt | Bunbury | 89 |
| 1984 | Wayne Coles | Mines Rovers | 103 |
| 1985 | Paddy Madaffari | Harvey Brunswick | 63 |
| 1986 | Paddy Madaffari | Harvey Brunswick | 80 |
| 1987 | Kurnet Thorne | Carey Park | 106 |
| 1988 | Craig Earnshaw | Busselton | 94 |
| 1989 | Kurnet Thorne | Carey Park | 74 |
| 1990 | Jeff Davidson | Collie | 62 |
| 1991 | Tony Strano | Harvey Brunswick Leschenault | 75 |
| 1992 | Dean Johns | Bunbury | 57 |
| 1993 | Craig McArthur | Busselton | 80 |
| 1994 | Craig Gray | Boyanup Capel Dardanup | 56 |
| 1995 | Kevin Caton | Busselton | 64 |
| 1996 | Mario Tartaglia | Harvey Brunswick Leschenault | 68 |
| 1997 | Shaun Gardiner | Donnybrook | 98 |
| 1998 | Jeff Davidson | Collie | 86 |
| 1999 | Jeff Davidson | Collie | 103 |
| 2000 | Adam Matson | South Bunbury | 78 |
| 2001 | Kim Eades | Bunbury | 100 |
| 2002 | Kim Eades | Bunbury | 94 |
| 2003 | Steve Bilcich | South Bunbury | 61 |
| 2004 | Ryan Booth | Busselton | 66 |
| 2005 | Steele Vitti | Eaton Boomers | 54 |
| 2006 | Shane Nani | Carey Park | 71 |
| 2007 | Shane Nani | Carey Park | 62 |
| 2008 | Shane Nani | Carey Park | 63 |
| 2009 | Shane Nani | Carey Park | 72 |
| 2010 | Brad Smith | Harvey Bulls | 78 |
| 2011 | Tim Noakes | Augusta Margaret River | 89 |
| 2012 | Matt Martin | Carey Park | 83 |
| 2013 | Tim Noakes | Augusta Margaret River | 64 |
| 2014 | Mark Re | Bunbury | 65 |
| 2015 | Matt Martin | Carey Park | 72 |
| 2016 | Jayce Fontana
Matt Martin |
Collie Eagles
Bunbury |
46 |
| 2017 | Joel Houghton | Collie Eagles | 59 |
| 2018 | Brett Peake | Bunbury | 61 |
| 2019 | Jarrod Humphries | Eaton Boomers | 79 |
| 2020 | Brett Hill | Harvey Brunswick Leschenault | 32 |
| 2021 | Bradley Holmes | Harvey Bulls | 62 |
| 2022 | Bradley Holmes | Harvey Bulls | 63 |
| 2023 | Leigh Kohlmann | South Bunbury | 100 |
| 2024 | Joel Houghton | Bunbury | 70 |
| 2025 | Liam Creighton | Busselton | 60 |
| 2026 | Liam Creighton | Busselton | 64 |
Notable players
- Syd Jackson
- Adam Hunter
- Phil Matson
- Leon Baker
- Michael Warren
- David Hollins
- Phil Kelly
- Michael Christian
- Ben Stratton
- Peter Miller
- Lewis Jetta
- Neville Jetta
- Kyle Reimers
- Anthony Morabito
- Paul Barnard
- Aaron Black
- Kristin Thornton
- Connor Blakely
- Troy Ugle
- Ethan Hughes
- Ben Howlett
- Sydney Stack
- Harley Bennell
- Jye Amiss