Collie Eagles will host Augusta Margaret River on Saturday afternoon at the Collie Recreation Ground, in the opening game of round seventeen of the Dale Alcock Homes South West, South West Football League season.
The Hawks sit in seventh place on the ladder and their aspirations of making finals may be decided in this round, as it is they need everything to go right from here on in to make the 2026 finals series. The Hawks must defeat Collie, Eaton and Dunsborough at a minimum, with a match also against Bunbury to come. The Hawks two challengers in Donnybrook, play South Bunbury on Sunday, along with Eaton, Busselton and Harvey Brunswick Leschenault, while Carey Park have the bye, then matches against, South Bunbury, Eaton, Busselton and Harvey Brunswick Leschenault. Based on ladder positions, if both Donnybrook and Carey Park lose all of those games except to Eaton, and the Hawks win all matches except to Bunbury, three teams will be on the same points at the end of the home and away season. The Hawks other achillies heal is their very poor percentage, which will need a massive up-rise in the next month.
But all of that may amount to naught if they fail to beat Collie on Saturday.
The Eagles played well against Bunbury last Saturday in the opening half, before Bunbury dominated the second half, while the Hawks were disappointing against Carey Park.
Both sides will be without key players, with Jed Spence likely to miss the match after an injury against Carey Park, while David Cowan will be side-lined for the remainder of the season for Collie. Jason Carter will also miss the match as he represents Western Australia in the State Country match in South Australia. Adam Bignell will return for the Eagles providing plenty of experience. Last season the Eagles snuffed out Donnybrook’s season with a surprise win, and they will be looking to break a fourteen game losing streak against the Hawks to win on Saturday to do the same.
MATCH DETAILS
Colts 9.55am, Reserves 11.50am, League 1.45pm
COVERAGE
Live Scoring PlayHQ of all matches, Live scores SWFL Facebook Page.
Action from earlier this season – photo courtesy of Theron Kirkman