Beverley -
Big, strong & extremely fit. This is the best way to describe the dominate team in the Avon Association. Played some excellent team football & seemed to get better as the finals approached. Coach Turner needs to be congratulated for his efforts in preparing a team that took all before them. Recruited well again, adding to an already import heavy team. One noticeable loss was Bebbington, unsure where he ended up but in the end wasn’t missed such was Beverley’s dominance.
O’Halloran & Schorer were damaging up forward while the likes of Tomlinson, McLaughlin & Turner lead the way in the midfield. Two local players that are priceless to the make up of the team is Mann & D Wansborough. Mann was the general of the backline while Wansborough was used as a swing man, pinch hitting in attack when things weren’t going their way.
One cause of concern for Beverley is the lack of local young players in both grades. Beverley’s Reserve side struggled each week to fill the side. Sometimes playing with no players on the bench & the team getting regularly beaten by over 100 points. If the trend continues and they can’t field a reserves team, action may have to be taken.
In saying all this I believe the league side will once again be the team to beat in 2013.
Kellerberrin / Tammin –
Had another solid season with it resulting in another Grand Final appearance. Things didn’t go their way in the big dance & got done by a couple of kicks. K/T recruited well to add to their already talented line up. Kittyea was a handy inclusion to there midfield with plenty of run & carry. Venturini had a excellent season winning the Byfield/Stacey medal as the leagues best & fairest player, the guy doesn’t look like much of a footballer but he can seriously play.
Missed the on field leadership of Innes late in the season, Innes preferring to head overseas much to the disappointment of Griffiths the coach. He could have been the difference in the GF.
Maguire had another solid season in front of the big sticks easily leading the association goal kicking, can he keep it up? He’s not getting any younger or smaller around the waist for that matter.
If KT can maintain their talented list for 2013 I see no reason why they won’t be amongst the leagues best teams again.
Federals –
Started the season off in a blaze of glory & looked like the yard stick of the competition. Injuries & form of some key players was the reason for stumble in the second half of the year.
When I say stumble I mean hiccup, they still managed to play in the preliminary final.
The likes of M Smith (last years Byfield/Stacey medal winner), G Smith, K Robinson & Adrichem controlling the centre square helped thrust the ball into forward 50 created plenty of scoring opportunities. The midfields run & carry also helped break down defensive zones set against them. Lawrence was the most effective ruckman in the competition, his tap work & work around the ground couldn’t be questioned.
Up forward they had Dick, Edmund & Henry. Dick & Edmund were serviceable without being match winners while Henry finished the year in the reserves.
Federals will need to recruit a key forward & a full back if they are to challenge for the premiership in 2013.
York –
Snuck into forth position late in the year & held onto it to compete in the 1st Semi Final against Federals. A good effort considering they didn’t have any notable recruits come into the team for 2012.
Archer & Offer offered targets up forward while the two Atkinson boys cruised through the midfield. T Atkinson reminds me of Priddis in terms of playing style & determination.
York managed to be competitive with the top 3 sides before falling away in the second half of games. The lack of big bodied midfielders & marking targets up forward was the main factor in them fading away in games.
York will need to bolster the backline after conceding far too many goals in 2012 with a percentage of only 66.95. This percentage would also indicate they need to recruit a genuine forward with ability to turn a game in their favour.
Cunderdin –
Lost their most important player in terms of their structure. Scarlett missed the entire season with Ross River Virus & Chronic Fatigue, this was a major blow for the Cunderdin side in terms of fire power. The forward line was all out of sorts in 2012 with Rogers & Stevens having average years.
The usual suspects Ryan Elliott, Bergman & Skilton carried the midfield duties while Harris took care of the ruck feeding Cunderdin players at the stoppages.
Cunderdin didn’t obtain many new recruits for 2012, although Unsworth returned to the club after a stint with an Amateur League in Tasmania.
Cunderdin players weren’t committed, lacked discipline & drop their heads when they fell behind in games. This has been a culture issue for more than 20 years, if you question this statement ask Cunderdin when was the last time they won a League flag? 1987!
In saying this the Cunderdin Reserves had a magnificent season & taking out the flag.
Cunderdin have the nucleus for a good side in 2013 but will need to recruit hard if they are to have any chance.
Railways –
Finally won a couple of games this year & was competitive in a few others. Managed to get some “ok” players to the club to help out the young guys. Railways issue is they don’t have many experienced players & are relying on Bomber Davis to often. Bomber was the best country footballer running around in his prime. The burden was eased on him from N DeBlecourt, Hubble & young excitement machine Gartlett. Railway’s league players from position 15 to 22 wouldn’t get a league game at any other club, their development will need to be fast tracked if Railways are going to be competitive next season. .
The positive for the season is they are heading in the right direction, winning a few games is evident of this. Some strategic recruiting from the club in 2013 will bring more wins than loses.
Rumour has it that Leon Davis will walk out on Perth FC (like many of his Perth FC team mates) & head back to Railways. If this is true, look for Railways to be final contenders.
Quairading -
Had a mass exodus of imported players at the end of 2011, Hughes (WAAFL), Johnson (Lower SWFL), Hayes (WAAFL), Chambers (WAAFL), Richards (WAAFL) & Hall. All very good players that added structure to the line up. Taking this many players out of a team and not being able to replace them was always going to make for a very tough 2012. Recruited Gelmi back to the club after some time playing in the WAAFL, was probably their only shining light for the season. The season ended on a very disappointing note by getting belted by fellow cellar dweller Railways by over 100 points.
One thing I know about Quairading is they are a very proud football team & success is bred into them from the time they can walk, they will not stand for the 2012 performance & changes will be made. Look for Quairading to recruit very heavily in 2013 & be back up the top end of the ladder.
