South West Out to Defend Division One Crown

The benchmark of country football will once again take centre stage when the South West Football League arrives at the 2026 Nutrien Ag Solutions Senior Men’s Country Championships looking to defend its Division One title.

The competition’s most successful league enters this year’s carnival with a blend of proven performers and exciting new faces, carrying the weight of expectation that comes with a proud history stretching back to the inaugural championships in 1965.

Head coach Seth White returns for his third campaign at the helm, bringing valuable continuity after guiding the South West to last year’s championship success.

“It’s my third year coaching the South West side,” White said.

“I’ve coached both junior and senior football in the South West for a number of years and more recently moved into development coaching with the South West 15s.”

White believes this year’s squad has the right ingredients to again challenge for the title.

“I just think we’re a really well-balanced group with a lot of flexibility, and I’m excited to see what we can do,” he said.

“We’ve got a good mixture of youth and experience, and that’s something we really focused on during selection.

“We wanted the experience we need but also wanted to give some young guys the opportunity to showcase what they can do. We also think we’re very versatile, with almost everyone in the group capable of playing multiple positions.”

Continuity will also be one of the South West’s greatest strengths, with 15 players returning from last year’s championship-winning side.

“I think that’s a real advantage,” White said.

“We’ve got a bit more continuity this year, and I think our unpredictability makes us dangerous and exciting. Hopefully we get some good weather and every team can showcase their talents.”

Among the players expected to make an impact are several of the league’s standout stars.

“Jason Cater is an exciting midfielder who was enormous for us last year,” White said.

“Liam Creighton is someone everyone loves to watch, while Mitch Tenardi returns after spending some time in Melbourne. Kade Wallrodt is another player we’re really looking forward to seeing.”

For South West Football League General Manager Jason Crowe, the squad perfectly balances proven performers with fresh enthusiasm.

“It’s a team with experience, with 13 players returning from last year’s winning side, while 12 debutants get the opportunity to experience Country Championships for the first time,” Crowe said.

As defending champions and the most successful league in the tournament’s history, Crowe knows there will be plenty of attention on the South West.

“For everyone else, the question will be whether we can win it again,” he said.

“For us, it’s simply about putting the best players available on the ground to represent the South West Football League.”

Representing the league remains one of the highest honours for players across the region.

“There’s never any trouble getting buy-in from the majority of players,” Crowe said.

“They see it as an opportunity to test themselves against the best footballers from other regions.”

The Championships continue to hold a special place within the South West football community, with the league only missing one championships in 1967.

“It’s something we look forward to every year,” Crowe said.

“Our league is in reasonably good shape with strong attendance numbers and some quality football.”

As the largest community football league in regional Western Australia, the South West Football League continues to showcase both the strengths and challenges of country football.

“We stretch across five shires and two city localities, with eight coastal clubs and three inland clubs,” Crowe said.

“Our communities range in size from around 4,000 people through to more than 100,000, so there’s always a challenge to maintain equity across the competition and ensure our smaller clubs can compete with the larger ones.”

History says the South West Football League knows exactly what it takes to succeed on the biggest stage. With a settled squad, proven leadership and a healthy mix of experience and emerging talent, the defending champions will once again be the team every league is chasing at the 2026 Nutrien Ag Solutions Senior Men’s Country Championships.