SWFL 2023: Magpies deliver on grandest stage of all for dedicated coach Ben Perry

South Bunbury were the benchmark in the reserves competition throughout season 2023, going through the home-and-away season undefeated. Although Busselton broke through in the second semifinal, there were no guarantees heading into the grand final, given South’s ability across all areas of the ground. Magpies coach Ben Perry was faced with some tough selection decisions before the game, such was the depth of talent within his team. Eleven players missed out — however, the Magpies coach was quick to praise the selfless nature of those who did not don a black-and-white guernsey on the day. “It’s absolutely unbelievable,” he said. “In the last two years I’ve been coaching here, not one of the captains over this year or the last played in this game. That’s a testament to how deep the squad is and how hard people worked. “Some outworked others you know? And that should be a good lesson for everyone in life — if you put in a lot, you’ll get a lot back. Those boys who came in and replaced those captains? It was unbelievable the work they did. Not just to get into the team, but also in putting on this performance today. “It’s a credit to everyone really.” Perry was also pleased several foundations laid down in the second semifinal win against the Tigers were able to be expanded upon in the decider. “It’s been an unbelievable effort by a lot of blokes,” he said. “We had plenty miss out today which probably could’ve filled different roles. “But we are very fit. We’ve trained that hard over the course of the year, our team always felt we’d be able to stay in the fight. If able to stay in the arm-wrestle up until the third quarter, the game usually opens up, which is how it played out today.” Tigers coach Jordan Vague was logical about the result. “The message to the players was pretty short and sharp,” he said. “I just explained that a lapse for about seven minutes in the third quarter cost us four goals. As well as a few other things throughout the game that were completely out of our control which also occurred and didn’t help towards us getting the result we wanted. “Full credit to Busselton — who have had a really strong finish to the season and played great footy when it mattered most. “As a club we were extremely fortunate this season to have good people involved within the playing group throughout all of our grades. “My boys are a close-knit group. “They had a great season and to their credit never gave up on the weekend even though a few things weren’t going their way.”