The 2nd Semi Final of the Tyrepower Manjimup League season is set for Rea Park on Sunday, with Minor Premiers’ Kojonup playing Deanmill for direct passage to the Grand Final. If what we’ve seen from these two teams so far in 2025 is any indication, Rea Park is definitely the place to be for this match up. So, what have previous matches between the two teams in 2025 given us by way of information to give us a glimpse at what may happen on Sunday?
Head to Head
The two teams have met on two occasions in 2025, with the games split between the pair. Both teams won their home clash, and interestingly given how well the sides match up, both games saw one team come out well on top.
Round 6 – Deanmill 18.11.119 def. Kojonup 10.4.64
Round 13 – Kojonup 18.14.122 def. Deanmill 13.9.87
Both games between the pair have seen the home side get the jump on their opponents in the first half, though Deanmill did hit the scoreboard hard and early in the first quarter of their Round 13 match at Kojonup.
Both matches have also seen plenty of scoring, highlighting that these two teams are very capable of putting goals on the board against quality sides. With a total of 28 and 31 goals kicked in the two games, this game is highly unlikely to turn into a dour defensive stalemate.
Key Players
Kojonup
Kyron Hayden – formerly North Melbourne listed, Hayden has played 9 games in 2025 and has looked set to launch at any moment. His silky skills have been on display, as well as his ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard, but if Hayden can really light up in the finals series, he could be the final piece in the Kojonup puzzle.
Brad Ashton – both sides are dangerous in their forward half and both blessed with quality and deep midfields. Archie Hall has been arguably the form ruckman of the competition in 2025, so Ashton has a crucial role in giving his midfield first hands on the ball and limiting Hall’s influence around the ground.
Lee Lucev – with 60 goals in 2025, Lucev has continued his fine goal kicking form. The tandem act with Harry Taylor has been a formidable 1-2 for opposition sides to curb, and if they can have a big day and bring the rest of Kojonup’s dangerous front half into play, it will be a tough afternoon for the Deanmill defence. Kicked 2 and 4 goals in the games against the Hawks in 2025.
Travis Abbott – 17 goals for the season saw Abbott behind only Lucev and Taylor on the Cougars’ goalkicking, but the side arguably looks more balanced with Abbott in the back half. Selected in the State Country team after a superb Nutrien Ag Carnival, as a defender, where he plays on Sunday will be a fascinating watch and potentially crucial to the outcome.
Kyle Smith – a real wildcard for the Cougars. Hasn’t played in either game against Deanmill, and if he’s fit and available, has shown he can impact a game in minutes as he did in the last quarter against Boyup Brook back in Round 9.
Matthew Marinoni – the Cougars’ skipper has had a wonderful year and is a crucial leader of the Kojonup midfield. Kicked 2 goals in the Round 13 clash between the two sides and has had a knack all year for impacting the scoreboard.
Southerners
Jordan Strahan – with 72 goals in 13 games, Strahan has been the dominant full forward of the competition in 2025. Kicked 4 in the Round 6 clash and even more ominously kicked 8 in the Round 13 loss. With Clancy Norrish a big loss for the Kojonup back half, Strahan gives Deanmill the big forward target they have craved in the last couple of finals series.
Archie Hall – has had a wonderful 2025 and arguably the most consistent year of any of the ruckman in the league. Wins more than his fair share of taps in the middle, but more than that his positioning around the ground a and workrate have been first class.
Cooper Sparks – dynamic work rate all over the ground and often used as the designated kicker following an opposition behind, Sparks has been fantastic in his first full season back at the Hawks.
Blake Rawson – 24 goals in 11 games in 2025, Rawson has been able to compliment the Hawks attack this year, rather than being required to lead it. Not that it happens often, but if Strahan is contained, becomes crucial in keeping the scoreboard ticking over and his forward pressure is crucial to the Hawks controlling territory.
Blake East – returning to Deanmill in 2025 after a year at Dowerin, East has had a superb season and will be vital in the midfield battle, with his leadership an important part of what the Hawks do well.
Kai McGinty – energetic and able to hit the scoreboard, McGinty has had a wonderful season at both club and representative level. Gives the Hawks plenty of quality when further up the ground, but can also help the likes of Ethan Dimitriou and Rawson stretch opposition defences if they become too Strahan conscious.
The Big Questions
Could the man pictured above be the ultimate wildcard. Pictured with the Belt Up Round ball, which he ended up taking home as Best on Ground in Round 6, Harley Sparks is qualified and if available, is a huge inclusion for the Hawks. Was the highest profile waterboy in the league when Kojonup defeated the Hawks in Round 13, so his availability either way is big.
Can Kojonup limit Strahan’s influence without upsetting the balance that has served them well all season, losing only the one game along the way? Kojonup are 13 – 1 for the season and even with Strahan kicking 8, beat Deanmill by 35 points in their most recent encounter. An opposition key forward kicking a bag in a final isn’t ideal, but will Kojonup upset their balance to neutralise Strahan, or accept to a point that good forwards kick goals.
Deanmill have been the highest scoring team in the league, with 135 points more than the next highest (Kojonup). Of their 241 goals, 72 have come from Strahan – if Kojonup can contain the key man, can the support cast kick enough goals?
Do Deanmill have the defensive structure to deal with Kojonup’s forward line? Deanmill would say yes after holding the Cougars to their lowest score of the season (10.4.64) in Round 6. Finding the right match ups however for not only Lucev, Taylor and the likes of whoever plays from the group of Mitchell Blakers, Jamaine Weazel, Geoffrey Pethick, Smith, plus Hayden drifting forward, is not easy – the goals can come from anywhere.
It’s likely Lucev, Taylor, Strahan and Rawson etc will kick goals. It’s likely the midfield battle will be epic. Will this game be one where someone pops up when it’s their moment and take the headlines?
Kojonup were missing a few key players in Round 6, while Deanmill copped a couple of injuries in-game in Round 13. Both games resulted in reasonably comfortable margins. Both sides are missing a crucial defender, while Ben Gianatti is a big out for Deanmill – but the teams should head into Sunday with most of what they need. Will this be the close heavyweight contest these two teams have been threatening to have all season?
Once again not a chance this writer is picking a winner, but I will tip this game will be up for grabs deep into the last term and whichever team can find the balance between high energy and directing that energy the right way will come out on top to progress to the Grand Final. Southerners lay in wait for one of the sides and neither side will want to head into a sudden death Preliminary Final and face the dangerous Souths.
For all the latest scores, goal kickers and best players – the Lower South West Football League has it’s home on PlayHQ HERE.
