Around The Leagues: Kukerin-Dumbleyung veterans still having a kick, Davis’ medal delight in OFA & retro Bulls

The Advertiser brings you Around The Leagues, taking a look at football stories of players and personalities from the Great Southern, Ongerup and Upper Great Southern regions. Plenty of life left in these old Cougars They often say that age is just a number and in Kukerin-Dumbleyung that certainly rings true. A powerhouse in the Upper Great Southern Football League for some time, Kukerin-Dumbleyung Football Club have not had the same premiership success in recent years. But that hasn’t stopped several of the ageing Cougars from getting out there and playing reserves each week. In fact, if you talk to them, these wily veterans know that for their beloved club to keep playing senior footy and existing for years to come — they must keep playing. Take State Country pair and Cougars greats Craig Doney and Jon Ward for example. Both are still playing reserves and giving back to the game they love. In round 11 at Kukerin, the Cougars fielded five players above the age of 40 as Doney and Ward were joined by Karl West, Nathan Ditchburn and Ben Hall. West is 53, the oldest of the Cougars still having a kick, while Doney spends most of his time in the midfield at the ripe old age of 52. Ward, Doney and Ditchburn have played State country football on several occasions and their names are strongly associated with the flag success of the Cougars in times gone by. But for now, it’s about making sure their club still gets a reserves game every week. Lethal Lewis laps up more medal success Star country footballer Lewis Davis has now won fairest and best awards in two neighbouring competitions. Davis was recognised on Sunday as the Ongerup Football Association’s best player for 2024. He claimed the prestigious Les Ganzer Medal by four votes, after a dominant year with Gnowangerup. The 25-year-old moved into the midfield this season with terrific effect, playing a leading role for the Bulldogs as they finished the regular season on top of the ladder having lost just one game. Davis, who spent time with Claremont in the WAFL, won the Leo Graham Medal as the Upper Great Southern Football League’s fairest and best player in 2020. The Bulldogs will clash with rivals Lake Grace-Pingrup on Saturday in the second semifinal in Boxwood Hill, with Davis key to his side’s hopes of progressing straight into the decider in a fortnight. Boxwood Hill and defending premiers Newdegate will put their season on the line in Sunday’s elimination first semifinal in Lake Grace. Lake Grace-Pingrup stalwart and country footy icon Luke Bairstow was recognised at the awards with life membership of the OFA. Horns up for Bulls retro jumper Mt Barker Football Club will celebrate 30 years this weekend, by wearing a special retro Bulls jumper in the final game of the regular season. The Bulls will tackle ladder leaders and reigning premiers Albany in round 15 of the Great Southern Football League competition, but in the jumper they wore back in the early days. The hosts will don a jersey that pays homage to the club’s origins, highlighting the 1994 merger of South Mt Barker and North Mt Barker, which created the team it stands as today. The festivities will also include a 40-year reunion for North Mt Barker’s 1984 premiership side and the club’s Auskickers, affectionately known as the Calves, will play during half-time of the league fixture. The Bulls will finish fourth on the league ladder and face an elimination final against Railways on Sunday week, in their bid to keep the hunt for an elusive premiership alive. The top four in the league competition is set and Royals should finish second, needing just a win over the fifth-placed North Albany on Saturday to stitch up second spot and a double chance. The qualifying final will be played at Retravision Stadium after the Sharks secured top spot and the minor premiership in their win over the Tigers last week. No State success for Great Southern duo Great Southern midfielder Bailey Taylor and Ongerup key position player Timm House were part of the recent WA Country side that tackled South Australia at Adelaide Oval. WA began strongly with two goals from former AFL player Tom Lee but SA dominated from that point on. SA ran out 43-point winners in the end to extend their lead in the head-to-head record to 8-3. It was the third time Taylor pulled on WA colours and the first appearance for ex-Geelong listed player House. Taylor, now playing with Albany in the Great Southern Football League, was busy through the midfield in the 13.16 (94) to 7.9 (51) loss while House was played in defence. Lee, Kaidyn Fullgrabe and Harry Taylor kicked multiple goals for the Sandgropers while Ben Rushforth, Jayden Schofield, Todd Kenny, Ben Howlett and Jake Nuich were named in the best players. Four into two does not go The fight for a finals berth in the Upper Great Southern Football League will go down to the wire. Only minor premiers Boddington and second-placed Williams have locked away a finals berth heading into the last round of the regular season this weekend. Just four premiership points separates Wickepin in third and the sixth-placed Kukerin-Dumbleyung. The Warriors are in the box seat with 28 points and a percentage of 109.72 but a loss to Wagin would mean they are no certainty to make it. Brookton-Pingelly, Narrogin and the Cougars are level on 24 points, separated by just percentage going into a huge final round. The Panthers have the tough task of facing the Eagles on the road while the Hawks need to upset the Cats in Williams. The Cougars have the worst percentage of the teams still in the mix, but host the winless Katanning Wanderers on Sunday in a perfect chance to record a big win and force their way into the top four. Got a footy story from our region to share? Email cameron.newbold@albanyadvertiser.com