Nutrien Ag Country Football Championships return with final to be held at the WACA in historic first

Jackson BarrettThe West Australian
Camera IconJesse Crichton playing for the South West Football League. Credit: South Western Times/South Western TImes

Western Australia’s country football championships will return next month for the first time since 2019 and in an historic first, the final will be played at the WACA.

The draw for the Nutrien Ag Country Championships was held on Wednesday, with division one games to be played at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Friday, Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The grand final will be held as a standalone game at the WACA on Sunday on July 11.

The Avon Football Association looms as the biggest threat to perennial powerhouses Peel and the South West.

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Former St Kilda and Claremont forward Tom Lee, who now plays for Quairading is expected to play for Avon, while current Bulls and former Tigers teammate Kane Mitchell is also eligible.

The Sandover Medallist and former Port Adelaide player has made a bright start to life in the country, starring in their win over Northam at the weekend.

Camera IconFormer St Kilda player Tom Lee could feature for Avon in the Nutrien Ag Championships. Credit: Michael Dodge/AFL Media

They could also feature former Hawthorn player Jarryd Morton and recently-retired Perth forward Matthew Rogers.

The South West’s chances of returning to the top of country footy have taken a blow with a high-profile recruit missing through injury.

South Fremantle premiership hero Jacob Dragovich signed with Eaton at the start of the season but managed just a handful of games before going down with a knee injury. He is not likely to be fit for the carnival.

But former Fremantle Docker Jesse Crichton has recovered from a shoulder injury in time to play.

Crichton returned to South Bunbury’s side a fortnight ago after missing a number of games.

Essendon and Peel Thunder champion Ben Howlett and ex-East Perth midfielder Thomas Shanahan are also eligible, while new coach Chris Kinninmont will be hoping dominant Harvey Bulls forward Brad Holmes and Subiaco premiership player and reigning Hayward Medallist Simon Moore make their representative debuts.

Camera IconThe SWFL will be hoping Augusta-Margaret River star Simon Moore opts to play representative football. Credit: Jon Gellweiler/Bunbury Herald

Ex-Gold Coast, Fremantle and Melbourne player Harley Bennell recently made a shock defection to the Harvey Bulls in the South West.

They will go in as slight favourites for the tournament-opening clash with reigning premiers Upper Great Southern on Friday morning, before a heavyweight battle with Peel that afternoon.

Peel will enter that game with a one-hour shorter break.

Led by former Dockers defender Paul Duffield as coach, Upper Great Southern stunned the 2019 tournament and went on to claim its 13th title with a win over the Goldfields.

Camera IconPaul Duffield during the 2019 tournament. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

This time around they begin their campaign with games against the South West and Goldfields, facing Avon and Peel on the final day of round robin games.

The Goldfields, who lost the 2019 decider, could feature ex-Demon Corey Yeo and Fremantle rising star winner and former Carlton and GWS player Rhys Palmer.

Byron Pickett, Brad Dick, Jarrod Garlett and Dion Woods have all played in the GFL this season.

One of the State’s best young talents, Rovers 16-year-old Malakai Champion could also play.

The Great Southern Football Association, one of the strongest leagues in the State boasting former Fremantle player Brett Peake among its stars, won’t take a team to the tournament.

The second men’s division is headlined by Central Midlands Coastal, who have named former Eagle and Subiaco captain Adam Cockie as a playing coach.

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Mortlock will go into the tournament as the other fancied side and will be hopeful of an appearance from former Fremantle Docker Stephen Hill.

Hill debuted for Gingin last month and has starred for the Eagles in the early part of this season.

All division two games will be played at New Choice Homes Park in East Fremantle.

The tournament was scrapped altogether in 2020 and only a colts and women’s tournament was held in 2021.

The carnival begins on July 8.

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