The squad has landed for the Lower South West Football League’s return to the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Championships, with Gavin Norrish naming a 28 man squad.
A host of the competition’s biggest names feature in the squad, with 7 of the current top ten in the competition goal kicking table, three League Best & Fairest winners (David Cowan x 2, Hugh Mitchell x 2 and Brett Wilson) and remarkably, a handy sprinkling of players who represented the region when we last attended the championships in 2018.
The squad isn’t short on leadership, with 5 of the 7 clubs’ senior captains named, along with Kojonup Coach, Travis Abbott, and Southerners Coach, Alex Cabassi.
Supporters of football in the region can finally stop wondering what would happen if David Cowan, Josh Power and Seaton Thompson played in the same midfield, or how potent a forward line would be if usual pairing Harry Taylor and Lee Lucev are joined by the likes of Matthew Tilbee, Ben Cabassi, Brett Wilson and Ashley Wallam.
Thomas Quaife is likely to lead the ruck, and after a fantastic season to date with the Tigers and their developing young side, will find himself surrounded by a literal all-star line up from across the competition.
Keenan-Cruz Wilson is one of two Imperials’ representatives in the squad, and one of three players along with Lucev and Mitch Blakers who played in the 2018 edition of the carnival, the last time we saw a Lower South West side take part. Remarkably, Matt Marinoni and Hugh Mitchell can top that with their last appearances coming in 2017, while Brett Wilson was in the 2016 edition.
Gavin Norrish will be joined by Alex Cabassi and Lyndon Muir in coaching responsibilities, with Darren Tassos tasked with getting the messages out in the cut and thrust of championship football, with 22 minute halves in the pool games and two games per day on both the Friday and Saturday.
