This weekend representative football teams from across Western Australia will hope to put their league’s side into the Landmark Country Football Championship decider.
The final round of the division one competition is wide open, with any of the six sides capable of making the grand final.
The last 13 titles have been shared by the Upper Great Southern and South West and following the first round of championship fixtures held regionally, the 2016 shield could very easily be heading to a new part of the state.
Peel and Great Northern join Upper Great Southern in the pole positions to make Sunday’s final following their victories in the regional round matches held last month.
The Cavillers defeated five-time defending champions South West by 15 points in Bunbury to set their campaign up nicely ahead of clashes against Lower South West and Upper Great Southern in what looms as one of the defining clashes of the championships.
Upper Great Southern came from behind to record a ten-point victory over Lower South West in its regional fixture in Narrogin and now face Avon and Peel in Perth as the side search to go one better than its 2015 runners-up finish.
South West will be looking to rebound from its regional round loss by recording two big wins against Great Northern and Avon to put them in the frame to make Sunday's final.
Under the new format this year no team was awarded percentage in the regional fixtures meaning winning, and winning well in Perth could be the difference when it comes to qualification for the finals.
Great Northern take on the South West at HBF Arena on Saturday in what is set to be a tough test for the side, which has been left inches away from a division one success in recent years.
If the side secure a win in the opening match it would mean South West’s campaign would come to a close and Great Northern would be one step closer to qualify for the finals ahead of their afternoon clash with Lower South West.
Lower South West fell 10 points short of a win upon their return to A Section after last year saw the B Section champions lead at every change before the Upper Great Southern side ran over the top of them in the final term.
Lower South West and South West meet Peel and Great Northern who are both first-up winners in a tough return to the top flight.
A loss on the road to Great Northern wasn’t the start Avon were hoping for ahead of this year’s championships and the task won’t get easier when the side meet 2015 finalists, South West and Upper Great Southern.
If they are able to get the points in both games they have every chance to make the decider and win their first title since 2002 in the top flight.
Footy HQ – WA will bring you results and photos from the carnival across the weekend. Be sure to like us on Facebook to stay up to date.
