The South West colts finished their CBH Group Country Championships campaign with plenty of positives despite falling short in the division one grand final for the third straight year.
The side faced an undefeated Great Northern in the decider who claimed the 44-point victory.
Despite the result, South West coach Brett Maguire was proud of the way his young side competed throughout the carnival and continued to develop against some of the best country football talent in WA.
“I’ve always said it’s about development, and we still have got to hold our heads up because we keep giving ourselves that opportunity, and we’re getting to that final game, then it’s whatever happens in that game,” he said.
“I don’t get lost in the result of that game, it’d be great to be on the other side of it but I think in the final game of any competition there’s always going to be a winner and a loser.
“But I think all the work you’ve done before that is the reward, and the grand final’s a bit of cream on top.”
Four South West players were honoured by being named in the CBH All Stars team of the carnival.
Toby McGee, Taj Houlahan, Josh Fry and Rhys Gardiner were all selected in the All Stars team, while Gardiner was also awarded the Neville Millar Medal for the best South West player at the carnival.
Maguire said the selections were a great reward for the players who stood out during the carnival, while acknowledging there were plenty of strong contributors across the squad who didn’t make the All Star team.
“It’s great for the guys that get in, and it’s obviously disappointing for the guys that don’t,” he said.
“I think that’s the thing with the carnival is that you’re developing them but it’s also good to see some of these guys get a bit of the reward for their efforts and so forth so it was pleasing that we had four.”
One of those players that missed out was captain Riley Johnstone, who had an outstanding carnival leading the side in defence.
Maguire said his story and journey to this point highlights what the carnival can do for young players.
“He’s had a very good carnival ... so what we get to see is the development from last year to this year, and they are the things that make a massive difference,” he said.
“Some of the younger guys might be disappointed on their carnival, but if they come back next year, they all of a sudden know what’s coming.
“The guys that are coming through maybe don’t see it like that but Riley’s a great example of that.
“He came up last year as a young lad, this year he’s captain and was clearly in our top three or four and I was really happy with his efforts.”
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