Who Will Take Home the Mandurah APL Cup?
Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September With the season fast approaching there are less than two weeks remaining until the Mandurah APL Cup takes place for 2017.
The third instalment of the event will once again see 32 of Western Australia’s best terms converge on the Mandurah Bowling Club to play a Bowls Premier League style format.
This year shapes up as the competitions most competitive year yet with the winning club set to win entry into the BPL Cup to be played at Club Pine Rivers against qualifiers from the other states and territories in November.
The field of players includes 14 of the 24 state players from the 2017 National Side Series as well as multiple event and award winners from last season.
Eight sides will be making their Mandurah APL Cup debuts at the 2017 competition.
Country Club of the Year Dowerin gets their first opportunity to match it against the larger clubs in the state and prove that once again size is no barrier.
Morley will get an early opportunity to show once again that they can compete at the top level having regained their place in Men’s Premier League for this season.
Warnbro’s win in last year’s One Blue finals has seen them secure an invite while Irene Arndt’s achievements as the Over 60’s Woman of the Year mean they could face neighbours Safety Bay.
For the first time Bowls WA will field an inclusive practices squad which will be headlined by National Multi-Disabilities Squad member Eddie Golan.
The side also includes deaf Premier League player David Ravlich, bowling arm exponent Kerry Ward and Indigenous player George Hayden.
The other newcomers to the event are Mt Pleasant and Swan who both showed keen interest to take part and will no doubt be hard to beat as a result.
Both of last year’s finalists look strong once again with just one change to their respective line-ups.
Reigning champions Manning have been forced to make a late change with the unavailability of Anthony Williams but bring in former Mandurah player Robert Tiller.
Tiller’s in-depth knowledge of local conditions should mean the sometimes tricky Mandurah conditions should hold no fears for the Eagles.
Rosenthal Medal Finalist Shane Knott, Connie Hicks Brooch Winner Helen Morss and State third Laura Merz all return to try and go back to back.
Runners up Cambridge have strengthened their side in a bid to go one better than last year by bringing in state rep Daniel Patterson.
A late withdrawal last year, Patterson joins Rosenthal Medalist Clive Adams, 150 game state player Jon Sharp and state player Toni Madigan whom the Knights were able to redraft.
Other city clubs to look out for include South Perth who include regular teammates Scott Walker and Glenn Pauling, Bassendean who are led by current State Singles Champion Blake Nairn and Doubleview who will reveal their new interstate signing Addy Wetzler.
There are no bigger names in country bowls at the moment than Dudley Park’s Mark Simpson fresh off another outstanding season.
The now three time Country Bowler of the Year leads an experienced side which includes multiple Over 60s event winner Vicki Spragg, State Squad member Jenni Rogalski and former Mandurah player Alan Cowie.
Another country club to keep a strong eye on is Boulder due to their unique team configuration.
Whereas most sides are going in with one or two female players Boulder have selected the maximum number of three.
With female players with the resumes of Irene Leahy and Chris Ace-Watson however it’s easy to see why the team has been selected the way it has.
Other country clubs with strong claims include Busselton and Gnowangerup who bring a wealth of experience and pedigree to the event, as well as Mandurah who cannot be discounted as the hosts.
Six individuals to look out for on the weekend are the players playing for other clubs through the draft system that is unique to the event.
Number one pick Rhonda Prosser will play for Margaret River as she did last year adding state level class to that side.
Toni Madigan has also found herself drafted to the same team two years in a row and will re-join Cambridge as the fourth pick.
State skipper Shari Solly joins Bassendean as the second pick in the draft and will play for a club other than her own for the third successive year.
Stirling and Morley have both used their picks to bring home a former player by picking Ruth Tolotti and Angela Gunson respectively.
Finally Mt Pleasant used their pick to bring in Renate Coote who brings a great deal of experience to their side.
Other players to see at the event include Blake Nairn and Cody Packer whose energy and willing shot play are sure to be a hit with spectators but with quality littered throughout the field you can’t go wrong no matter who you watch.
Mandurah APL Cup Conditions of Play
Mandurah APL Cup Team Lists
Mandurah APL Cup Draw
