Pies up for Dons test

The journey back to the finals begins tomorrow for the Busselton Magpies as they take on the Donnybrook Dons in round one of the South West Football League.

Julian Burgess’ Dons are coming off a preliminary final loss to Eaton last year and the 2018 premiers have added another 23 players to their already impressive league squad.

They are confident they can go deep into October after a big off-season where they addressed a disappointing end to 2019 at a gruelling pre-season camp.

The Dons will be hard to overcome for a young but talented Magpies outfit who are eagerly awaiting the first bounce of the SWFL season after a lengthy delay due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Busselton Football Club president Michael Osborn said teams wanted to challenge themselves against the best and praised both players and volunteers for their efforts to restart the league.

“We had multiple meetings and phone calls and once we got word that the season was going to happen and the restrictions dropped we addressed the ways we could get the club open again and how we could work within those parameters,” he said.

“We were training in small groups, subject to the restrictions, so most of them (players) have come back pretty quickly. What we are in search of is passionate volunteers to come back to the club.”

Like many teams in the SWFL the Magpies have several top-up players who have found a new home once their leagues chose not to compete for a 2020 premiership.

“There was a concern that some players would be lost to the sport if we didn’t have a season,” he said.

“It’s very important for the LSWFL players to have somewhere to go and play football and we were happy to make them welcome.

“It’s (Dave Lewis’) Lewy’s first year as league coach and he has a plan in place he’s looking to execute.

“We put our faith in Lewy and he has the faith of the players and if they work hard they will reap the rewards.”

If you would like to sponsor or volunteer for the BFC phone 9752 2465.