It is not all doom and gloom for Southerners as last year’s grand finalists continue to struggle in the 2026 season of the Lower South West Football League.

The side have managed only one win from their past six games, but are still in the hunt for finals being just two games behind Tigers and Imperials who both have five.

In his third year as coach Alex Cabassi said the side have been leaning on their local contingent to remain in contention for another grand final berth.

“Low numbers are killing us at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve been relying on our local blokes to dig deep, and they’ve been able to pull through, which is good.

“Even then some have had to play injured, they’re just having to push through week-in, week-out, it’s good to see they’ve got the heart in them but poor buggers.”

Injuries to key players throughout the year such has captain Seaton Thompson, ruck Corey Hughes, midfielder Chad Rigley and Ben Cabassi have meant younger players were required to fill the void, with two teenagers making their mark on the competition.

Lachlan Hughes has played in eight league clashes this year plus four colts fixtures alongside two games for East Perth’s WAFL colts team and was a part of last weekend’s LSW senior men’s side at the country championships.

Chayce Stacpoole is leading the way in the colts with a competition high 30 goals in 10 games, while also featuring in six league games.

Cabassi could not have had higher praise for the teenagers along with other young players who have lifted when required.

“We’ve been relying on our colts boys the last few years actually,” he said.

“Lachie and Chase have been named in the squad just about every week and most of the time they’re doubling up as well and still performing in the league side.

“They obviously have that X-factor to be able to do that and they do have that fire in their belly.

“They want to want to be the best they can, and they’ll do it for the team and push through.”

If the side want to take part in this year’s final series they will need to find wins against fellow finals chasers in Tigers and Deanmill in the next two weeks.

Results will then need to go their way unless they can find a win in their pair of mammoth tasks against top-two teams in Kojonup and Bridgetown to finish.

“The bottom five are pretty even, really, so we will definitely not leave anything behind us,” Cabassi said.

“The boys are definitely going to leave it all out there and try to push for finals, similar to last year, and hopefully we can stand up at the right end of the season.”