Football: Magpies mean business

A new-look Busselton Magpies outfit will run out against Donnybrook for the first game of the South West Football League season on Sunday.

Up to nine players are expected to debut in the league game with two more players, Jordan Eastwell and Nigel Lee, returning to the team after stints in the WAFL.

The new-look side was the result of a rigorous recruiting campaign by new coach Darian Cheffers and the football committee following last season’s bottom five finish.

Cheffers said he expected former colts players Sean Trombetta, Jackson Arbon, Jonny Meadmore and Mitch Fraser to play league football this year, with the first three named in the weekend’s squad.

Former Peel Thunder key-position player Cameron White had been named at centre-half forward and former Subiaco forward Ben Grace at full forward after kicking 10 goals at the weekend’s pre-season carnival.

“The key forward and the full forward will be pretty consistent but the rest of the positions will be rotated during the game,” Cheffers said.

“We have 18 players who can play as midfielders which means we’ll have a very mobile, running and attacking team.

“The midfield led by Brent Hall, Jordan Eastwell, Nigel Lee, Jay Reynolds and Nick Hammond, and supported by Tim Ioannou, Jackson Arbon and Adam Booth will really take it up to the best midfields in the competition.”

Cheffers said the backline would probably be the most consistent area on the field.

“They have all played together before and know each other well,” he said.

Cheffers, who spent six years as a player and coach at Donnybrook, said there was no time for reminiscing in the lead up to the game.

“After the game when I go to the club for a beer, it will be a good time to reflect on past achievements, but my main objective is to win and win well,” he said.

In the weekend’s pre-season carnival Busselton were beaten by South Bunbury by 7 points before bouncing back with a 46-point win against Augusta Margaret River.

The Pies play Donnybrook away on Sunday at 2.30pm.