Three teams have one win apiece after a terrific opening day in division one of the Country Football Championships in Mandurah on Friday, with Great Southern completing their return to the top flight with a historic win.
South West are in the box seat to reach yet another grand final in the top division of the Nutrien Ag Solutions Men’s Championships, having won both their games at Lane Group Stadium.
However the race for grand final berths are still alive with Peel, Avon and Great Southern also on the board after day one.
Great Southern were the story of the day, in their long-awaited return to division one, as they tested Peel early before being outgunned and then took down Goldfields.
The win over Goldfields was ultra impressive, as Great Southern went behind and then rallied to score a historic win – 23 years since they last competed in country football’s top flight.
Great Southern kicked with the breeze in the first half and led by 10 points thanks to goals from Isaac Baum, Jayden Scott and Jayden Woods.
Josh Clements and Amar Elnour fired back for Goldfields but Great Southern dug deep and showed they deserve their place with the best, as Camball McMahon and Ryley Valli turned the tide and then two goals out the back to James Charlesworth sealed a 22-point win.
Former South Fremantle defender Steven Edwards was pivotal for Great Southern in the 7.5 (47) to 3.7 (25) victory while Bodhi Stubber was also great in the back half.
Scott and Ryley Valli won a stack of the ball, McMahon was lively at half forward and Ryan Davies had some terrific moments along with former Claremont ruckman Kalin Lane.
Ex-South Fremantle player Ben Rioli was outstanding for Goldfields while Zachary Barrett and Ethan Bentley also had strong games.
Earlier, South West had to come from behind to overcome a determined Avon outfit to give the reigning champions the perfect start.
Liam Creighton was superb on the opening day and kicked two goals as his side stormed home with four goals to one in the last half on their way to a nine-point win.
South West were well served by Thomas Gorter, Jamahl Mulholland, Ty Anderson and Jack Fletcher.
Avon started really well, majors from Marshall Jones, veteran Tom Lee and Rowan Ward helping them lead by 11 points at the break but they were not able to hold on.
In another great spectacle, South West were 11-point winners over Peel to start the division one action.
Five goals to three in the first half set up South West for their first win, with Liam Creighton and Caleb Stephens finishing with two goals each.
Peel rebounded well with their slick ball movement bringing Great Southern undone later in the day.
Six goals in the second half handed Peel a 33-point victory as key forward Michael Stevens booted a major in each half.
Baum finished with two goals for Great Southern, the skipper leading from the front while Ryley Valli, Zak Pretty and Stubber were also instrumental in their side being in the contest for large periods.
Avon’s sole win came over Goldfields, as Lee drew on his experience to snag four majors.
Lee, Ben Rushforth and Traye Bennell dominated as Avon emerged with a 15-point win.
Division one action will head to Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.
