Manjimup trio Jaxon East, Kester Decke and Austin Styles praised for two years of ‘good service’ at SWFL club

The new coach of the Busselton Magpies has lauded the efforts of a trio of Manjimup-based stars as their return home is confirmed. Jaxon East, Kester Decke and Austin Styles — who all joined the South West Football League club when COVID forced the cancellation of the Lower South West Football League in 2020 — will return to their home clubs this season. East and Decke will rejoin Deanmill, while Styles will be a welcome addition to Imperials’ midfield. The trio all featured in a pair of grand final defeats at the Magpies, including a devastating after-the-siren loss to Bunbury in their first season at the club. Colts coach Daniel Delaney has taken over the top job from David Lewis, and thanked the group for their service to the club. He also said the Magpies’ side would have a new look to it without the three guns. “There is a bit of a change in our list this year,” Delaney said. “Our Manjimup boys — after two years of good service — have gone back home.” East quickly became one of the best hybrid forward-midfielders in the competition during his time at Busselton and was a prolific goal kicker from the middle. After kicking 12 majors in the shortened 2020 season, he kicked 33 last season, and was one of only two goal kickers for the club on a grim grand final day. The Magpies blitzed South Bunbury at home in an elimination final before recording famous road wins against Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault and Bunbury to reach the grand final. Styles, an in-and-under midfielder and prolific contested ball-winner, and Decke, a forward-ruck who was among the club’s best in the 2020 grand final, both impressed during their two-year stints. The group follow in the footsteps of former Busselton teammate Connor De Campo, who returned to Deanmill in 2021 after a one-year stint in the SWFL. Former Donnybrook forward Lee Lucev will return to his original LSWFL club Kojonup this season, while Dons midfielder Keenan Wilson will join Styles at Imperials.