SWFL 2022: SWFL women’s team overcome physical challenge to remain unbeaten at country football champs

The SWFL women’s team continued their undefeated winning streak in representative female football last Friday at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah. Defeating Kimberley 4.3 (27) to 1.2 (8) in the grand final of the Rio Tinto women’s country football championships ensured more silverware and plaudits for South West women’s football, however this carnival was starkly different compared to previous seasons. While the class and headline players donning green and gold again delivered when games needed to be won, the sheer ease of the SWFL women’s team being able to click through the gears and thrash opposing sides was not as frequent — given the level of accelerated growth being enjoyed by other regional leagues across the State. Additionally, the SWFL players were frequently forced to hold their own physically, as a number of sides did whatever they could to throw the perennial powerhouse of their game. Players were greeted with unseasonably warm weather on Thursday for their opening pool clash against Peel, which played a part in both sides easing their way into the game. An early goal to Renee Hardie put the home side out in front early, with a handful of SWFL players uncharacteristically fumbling at times in the corridor. However, this out-of-sorts segment quickly dissipated, with consecutive goals in as many minutes putting the reigning champions back in front. A goal to Bethany Bond early in the second half ensured the visitors ran out 4.2 (26) to 2.1 (13) victors, which put them in a great position heading into their second pool clash. Although the team went through several challenges — not the least, hearing an air horn instead of a siren — against the Goldfields, solid efforts from Trinity Brown, Rachel Shepherd and Harmony Staszewski-Hose ensured the SWFL cruised to a comfortable 9.4 (58) to 1.0 (6) triumph. The day ended on a sour note, despite victory over the Kimberley, with SWFL utility Emma Borinelli breaking not only her collarbone, but two ribs as well. This level of physicality aimed at the SWFL players remained in force the following day — however the resolute squad displayed tremendous poise in order to overcome it during their victories over Great Southern in the semi and Kimberley in the grand final. The SWFL women’s team was coached by Maxwell Jetta. Carnival All-Stars (SWFL): Emma Borinelli, Beth Bond, Trinity Brown, Charli Wicksteed, Rachel Shepherd, Lacey Holdsworth, Kate Fielding. Betti Medal (best SWFL player of carnival): Trinity Brown