Bulls eye back-to-back trophies

The keenly awaited West Kimberley Football League season is just days away from kicking off and while the reigning premiers are on the hunt for consecutive trophies, other sides are hoping to shake up the competition.

With the first bouncedown of the 2018 WKFL this Saturday, Broome Bulls are determined to bring the same intensity that led them to premiership glory last year, but will have to overcome a few hurdles to get there.

Coach Ben Sarsfield said the loss of key players Jai Russell, Dec Mercer, Alexander McKenzie and Alec Johnson had been tough on the side, but it would not stop them from delivering.

“We are aiming to keep the momentum going from the last couple of years and I would be lying if I said we didn’t want to go back to back,” he said.

“A number of players have left us, but we still have a solid core and a lot of good, young guys coming through that we can develop so we will bring it this year.”

Hoping to stand in their way are the Derby Tigers, who suffered a heartbreaking three-point loss in last year’s grand final, despite topping the ladder and beating the Bulls just weeks earlier.

The side will look to put an end to a premiership drought that has been hanging over them for the past 34 years.

Heading into the season with a feeling of unfinished business are Cable Beach Football Club, who went into last year’s elimination final with a six-game winning streak, but fell to the Bidyadanga Emus by just 10 points.

Cable Beach coach Brett Claudius said although the team lost key mid-fielder Daniel Cox, they have gained CJ Oakley back from Claremont Football Club and Anthony Treacy from Sydney Swans reserves.

“We have had a very solid pre-season with some really good numbers at training and we are hoping to improve on last year,” he said.

The Emus will eye a second premiership in three years after performing strongly last year, despite a mid-season slump.

While Looma Eagles, Towns and Peninsula Bombers showed hints of brilliance through the 2017 season, the sides have a big opportunity to develop and push for the top four this year.

But it is last year’s winless side, the Saints, who are confident they will be the surprise package this year. Coach Wayne Edgar said his team had been training hard and some new faces had been added to the mix.

“We did not have a good year at all last year but we are looking forward to surprising a few people this season,” he said.

The first round begins at Haynes Oval this Saturday at 11am, when Cable Beach take on the Bombers.