Category: Coen Pearson

The Swamp District: Mud, Sweat and Fun

By Coen Pearson

The bounce is portrayed with a squelch of ball on mud. The humidity makes sweat pour. The flys swarm the screaming fans at the fence. A distinctive thump, as a mud armoured ball is kicked down towards the goals. The fans whistle and hoot. But, then the distinctive boom boom of the drums and the harsh sound of the trumpets. This is footy at Swampy Stadium.

They say, that the best way to experience local footy in the FCFL is to visit the Swamp District. But it hasn’t always been this way. Back when the City Football League (CFL) combined with the much smaller Swamp football league (SFL), made up of the Snakes and the even smaller, Frogs. In the CFSL (City Swamp Football League), both teams played at Agapantha Arena. Agapantha Arena, (now Swampy Stadium, had no grandstands, no rooms, no flashy scoreboard, it was basically the flattest, less boggy area of the Swamp. But it did have a small space for small orchestra. This orchestra defined footy in the Swamp. Big drums, loud trumpet, violins, all after each home teams goal. It soon become a place City folk loved to play footy. Then, in 2023 it was proposed that the Frogs join the FCFL.

For the Frogs to join to become part of the FCFL, they had to compete with the likes of the new Sunset Stadium, and the famous Queen’s Palace Stadium. Agapantha Arena, needed an upgrade. So, in late 2023, Agapantha arena received a new grandstand, a flashy Radio 305 scoreboard and home and away change rooms. In 2024, the Frogs became the 9th FCFL club.

Matchday was a sight to behold. Fans from all over, had traveled to see the new Frogs team from the Swamp. They loved the food, the farms, and the and the pre-show by the Big Bog Band. Bounce of ball, the Frogs facing the newest club, the Echidnas. The Frogs demonstrated that day, that the Swamp district was serious about Footy. Unfortunately, the Echidnas where more demonstrating they where a team not to be respected, after the Frogs finished the season with 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses.

Now, ahead of the District of Origin Tour match between the Swamp and their neighbours in the Bushland, they really have to prove that they’re game.

Drama, Red Cards and Fury: City v Forest preview

By Coen Pearson

The City and the Forest face off in the 2025 Benjo’s Recycled Timbers District of Origin tour, today. At 10:30 the biggest rivalry in District of Origin is re-ignited. It all started four years ago, in the first District of Origin tour.

“We actually hate each other”, says the 2021 City captain, Tom Shankè pre-game. A sold out Queen’s Palace Stadium, warm night with red and green fans everywhere. During the game was even worse. The city kicked away, leading by 21 points at half time. Then the legend Sandy Pieston, walked out of the rooms and smack-bang knocked out Bobba Le Bobbitt. Red cards flying everywhere, crowd screaming, the forest possibly made the biggest comeback of all time and won by 15 points. QPS was shaking, fights breaking out everywhere. But, Sandy Pieston came back out and hoisted the cup for the Forest at the end.

Today, the rivalry is re-ignited. They face at the same Queen’s Palace, but with Sandy Pieston coaching the forest and Tom Shankè holding the reigns of the City. It won’t just be a battle of players but a battle of coaches.

Even better, the City are coming off a loss, where the Mountains clawed back the lead and won by 7. They are looking to prove themselves in front of a near sold out QPS. The Forest are kicking off their District of Origin Tour and have to play more games than anybody.

But are the City too tired? Are the forest going too be saving their energy? Which players will put effort in? Two massive districts with huge football revenues. The stage is set for yet another thriller.

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Venue

Queen's Palace Stadium

Details

Date Time League Season
September 26, 2025 11:00 am District Of Origin Tour 2025

Round 1 Preview: Weekday Slots

By Coen Pearson

For those who didn’t hear, it was all action at Sunset Stadium yesterday afternoon. The Magpies turned around, and displayed that practice pays off.
At the end of last season, the Magpies Footy Club made numerous changes to staffing positions. Firstly, a new head coach was appointed, and then a new list manager. After finishing last, last season they received a ton of young talent. The number one draft pick, Ashton Rourke run amok, kicking 2 of the magpies three goals and earning best on ground. The Kookaburras side had also lost a lot of veterans to retirement but had a stunner of a trade period. Where does the season go? We can only wait and see.

The Lyrebirds put down the Koalas with five unanswered goals in a row in Q3. Greg Jimoth received best on ground with a ton of hitouts and a legendary goal.

Updated: THE FINALS RACE IS ON

By Coen Pearson, Tom Shankè

The finals teams are in. Our reporters analyse every team’s chances.

2025 Fix Ya fixture FCFL Premiership

PosTeamPWLDFA%Pts
1971199109130
297209186128
39540108117120
4954010596120
595409782120
695406492120
7945010874016
893606390012
9926111962010
1091807111704
  1. Sitting on the top of the ladder, the Kangaroos have had a magnificent season. They are 7-1 and 1 draw. However, they had a horror loss to the Platypus in Round 9. They still don’t have their star mid or their star forwards. There are holes everywhere in this young side. The question is, can the Roos continue their dream season? Can they beat the Wombats?

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Venue

Sunset Stadium

Details

Date Time League Season
July 20, 2025 3:54 pm FCFL 2025 Finals

2. The ever consistent Kookaburras. This is their third season in a row in the finals. Sitting at 7-2. They are the oldest team in the competition, but they hold the record for the most wins ever. They have lost a few players this season, but they still are playing pretty well. Coming off a win over the reigning premiers with virtually no injures they must be feeling good. But can they overcome the Cockatoos? We can only wait.

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Venue

Queen's Palace Stadium

Details

Date Time League Season
July 20, 2025 3:54 pm FCFL 2025 Finals

3. The Wombats. The reigning premiers. They have had a rocky season, being 5-4. They have an injury list that goes through the roof. Now with another great mid out, they will have a mighty test against the top-of-the ladder Roos. But their defence has not yet been hit by the injury storm. That will be the decider on Thursday.

4. The mighty Cockatoos have climbed the ranks to reach fourth. Finishing 7th last year (out of 8), they have progressed forward, and with the help of a new CEO and Senior Coach they turned around. They sitting at 5-4 and have only lost one game at home. After having troubles last week in the Desert District against the Echidnas, the new agreement with the Heritage Council should make it easier to compete on Friday night.

Magpies win third straight wooden spoon

By Coen Pearson

In wet conditions, the Frogs decimated the young Magpies at Agapantha Arena. The magpies left the ground looking dejected, but as revealed at a post-match press conference from Ida Tranlenski (Head Coach of the Magpies) the club had decided they needed the young quality draft picks.

Results

TeamTotalOutcome
Frogs53Win
Magpies16Loss

The Frogs however, wanted to prove themselves and won their second win at home.

Super Saturday deciders.

By Coen Pearson

This Super Saturday there are two epic clashes. Frogs and Magpies first up, at Agapantha Arena.

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Venue

Swampy Stadium

The Frogs, who are sitting 9th on the ladder will be play the Magpies to determine who will the wooden spoon. If the Magpies lose, it will be their third straight wooden spoon. The Frogs, who are a more competitive team will probably try to demolish them as the Magpies are hunting for number one draft pick.

Then, the race for the finals is on. Two teams competing for fourth position will play a stunner at Blackwood oval. The Echidnas, who where 10th in round 3, are now looking hot since they received ten star players from the Lorikeets.

The Cockatoos have had their home training interrupted all week with Heritage Council protests. Also having to travel such a long distance with little break will be harsh for the away side.

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Venue

Blackwood Oval

Roos look to continue their winning streak.

By Coen Pearson

The Roos look to continue their streak of not losing a single game as they go 7-0 into their round nine clash with Platypus. The Platypus who are 3-5 no longer are in finals contention look to climb above the Possums who suffered a disappointing loss last night.

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Venue

Sunset Stadium

This will be senior coach Bryce Wholak’s last game as coach of the Platypus as he moves on to coach the Magpies.

Magpies Announce New Head Coach

The Roos did suffer a draw at Sunset Stadium to the Frogs in Round 5. With star mid Travis Combine out there could be a slight chance of an upset win.

The Platypus have only won one of their past five games over the Kookaburras at Riverland Park. But they have played some tough teams and I reckon they’re up for the challenge.

FCFL Announces New Staff Postition

By Coen Pearson

Following many serious career ending injuries across the last two seasons, the FCFL has announced a new position in head physio. This privilege was awarded to DAVID DAVIES DAVIDSON. DAVIDSON has worked with many clubs and studied at the Queen’s Palace University for fourteen years. He nows works with the Cockatoos

Head Phisyo DAVID DAVIES DAVIDSON

Nationality
botBotswana
Current Team
Cockatoos
Past Teams
Roos, Kookaburras, Lorikeets, Lyrebirds, Magpies, Platypus, Possums, Wombats

This position will manage the leagues new injury panel, and the injury news. DAVIDSON will be reporting with all the latest news on injured players as well as assessing all injuries. He will be present at all matches, to assess player’s condition.

Davidson at an interview this morning.

“My appointment to this position is well overdue. The reason I have been overlooked so long is unacceptable.” Says DAVIDSON to reporters at Queen’s Palace this morning. “It’s sickening how corrupt and political the league has become.” I don’t want to name names but I think we all know what is going on”

Lyrebirds v Possums Preview

By Coen Pearson, Image above: Dean Brown Lyrebird Senior Coach

Lyrebirds meet the Possums at the Grove on Thursday night. Considered to be the biggest rivalry in FCFL history, this matchup dates back back to the first ever FCFL grand final. The Lyrebirds were leading the season 4-0, they had won every single game. They beat the Kookaburras at The Grove and they got into the Grand Final.

The Game was epic, but by the end of the first half the Lyrebirds were leading 40-15, Then in second half the Possums started to come back. It all finished by a siren goal from Colin Patterson. The Possums won 51-52! I don’t know what Hump Cloulak said at half-time but it won the Possums the game.

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Venue

The Grove

This match is unlikely to be close but the Lyrebirds have to win it to continue their campaign.