SWFL 2022: Augusta-Margaret River ready to back up 2021 success in grand final rematch against Busselton

South West Football League 2021 premiership coach Matt Jamieson says the Augusta-Margaret River Hawks are prepared to be the team to beat going into the new season. Reigning premiers Augusta-Margaret River will kick off their 2022 campaign when they host a grand final rematch against Busselton at Gloucester Park on Saturday. As if the stakes of a grand final rematch were not high enough, both teams will be going head to head to claim the Busselton Toyota Cup. Head coach Jamieson told the South Western Times the squad knew there would be a certain amount of pressure going into the new year off the back of a premiership. “We had a bit of a free hit last year with probably no expectations in terms of how we were going to go but then we managed to win the premiership,” he said. “Being the premiership team going into the following season, you are going to be the hunted. “We’re absorbing that pressure and expectation and just focusing on what we can control and that’s playing good team footy. “It seemed to get the job done for us last year so we’ll be looking at continuing that as well as looking at some growth for the guys that will be coming through. “We’re pretty excited about the season ahead.” Despite a few changes to the team list this year, Jamieson said he was pretty confident with the senior squad for this year. “We’re pretty close to full strength at this stage but we’ve had a few guys that have had their training disrupted a little bit due to COVID as that is in the community,” he said. “We don’t have anyone coming back from any long-term injuries so I’m very pleased with the way the boys have come back and the way they have progressed through the pre-season.” Busselton will be looking to avenge their heartbreaking grand final loss in longtime club member Daniel Delaney’s debut outing as the league squad’s new coach. Delaney said he was “feeling very good” going into the new season. “We finished fourth last season, ended up playing off in a grand final, and last year we had our league, reserves and colts all in a grand final,” he said. “Wasn’t the result we wanted in all grades, but it shows the depth of the club and what we’ve been doing over the past six years, developing our young guys. “We’ve had a couple of intra-club scratch matches, which went very well and the boys did exactly what we wanted so all our plans are falling into place for the season, which is good to see.” Delaney said the Magpies were at “full strength” in the lead-up to round one with a few changes to the team list. “Our Manjimup boys after two years of good service have gone back home and our Perth guys have gone back too,” he said. “That being said, we’re lucky enough to get the services of our local boys Nathan Arbon re-signing with the club, Damian Lee is back at the club and Jake Dugan too. “The way it is this year, we go in as 100 per cent local, which is great, exciting times ahead and we can’t wait to get going.”