SWFL 2022: A meeting of the minds every time Augusta-Margaret River take to the field

Whenever Augusta-Margaret River’s league side take to the field, something special always happens. A group which initially came together following a disappointing 2020 league campaign, the Hawks climbed to the top of the premiership mountain last year after comprehensively outplaying Busselton in the grand final. However, while coach Matt Jamieson and loyal skipper Lincoln Adams were all smiles, thoughts were quickly turning to how this winning feeling could continue. Aware rival teams would be coming after his side with renewed vigour in 2023, Jamieson and his coaches immediately took steps to add key additional pieces to their impressive league squad. Although sometimes unavailable because of work commitments, the services of Tim Noakes in the forward line were secured, as were the acquisitions of Matthew Bannister and former East Perth defender Kyle Anderson. While Jamieson was able to able to oversee things from the boundary line, on the ground he was also assisted by Anderson, Steven Payne and reigning Hayward medallist Simon Moore. Before the start of the season, Jamieson had flagged the final month of the season as a real challenge for his side, due to tricky assignments away to the Collie Eagles, Harvey Bulls and Bunbury. The Hawks ended up winning all three of these games, which ultimately ensured them yet another minor premiership. Jamieson, a passionate clubman, is hopeful the entire capes community will be able to enjoy the team’s success on the biggest day of the year once again. “I think when you put yourself in a position to win a premiership, it is not only about the immediate team,” he said. “It is about the wider community and everyone who volunteers their time to be a part of it. Footy clubs are places where if you get good support from volunteers and longstanding community members, it means everything. “Not only to me, but also the playing group, so we hope we can put a smile on their faces again come Sunday.” It will also be a massive day for club legend Mitch Gerrans, who will play his 250th game alongside many of his lifelong friends. “It was all lined up for me to play my 250th in the second semi,” Gerrans said. “But we had arrival of our first baby girl on the evening before the game, so I could not get there unfortunately.” Adams, who so often has been a true barometer of his side’s fortunes, believes the team have been in a good mindset since their victory in the second semifinal. “It is pretty cool to be able to go into back-to-back grannys,” he said. “We have pretty much followed the same route from last year, in terms of having all that time off, which has really helped us out. “We are pretty excited.”