2022 Western Premier League season explained

Competition:WPL
Season:2022
Winners:Orange Waratahs (5th title)
Premiers:Orange Waratahs
League Topscorer:Craig Sugden
Agieg Aluk (16 goals each)
Matches:116
Total Goals:479
Prevseason:2021
Nextseason:2023

The 2022 Western Premier League, also called the Burmac Western Premier League for sponsorship reasons, was the 22nd season of the Western Premier League (WPL), the top football league in the Central West region of New South Wales. It was the third consecutive year that the competition has run, following an eight-year hiatus. No title was awarded in 2021, following the abandonment of the competition one round before finals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

The season saw the expansion of the competition to 11 teams with the addition of Bathurst 75 and Orange CYMS, who last competed in the 2008 and 2002 WPL season respectively. CYMS, who finished runners-up in three grand finals in 1997, 1999 and 2000, singled its intention to join the competition back in July, 2021.[2] Bathurst 75 announced its intention to field a team for the 2022 season back in November, 2021.[3] They are also the most successful team in WPL history with six titles.

The season kicked-off with the first round of games on 2–3 April, with a six-team finals series commencing on 3 September. Orange Waratahs were crowned champions, defeating Bathurst club Panorama 2–1 in the grand final. Waratahs striker Craig Sugden and Bathurst 75 forward Agieg Aluk shared the leading goal scorer trophy, finishing the regular season with 16 goals each, while Bathurst 75 midfielder Luke Mutton was named the season's best and fairest.

Teams

Home venues and locations

ClubLocationGroundFoundedChampionsChampions years
Barnstoneworth UnitedOrangeSir Jack Brabham Park19980
Bathurst 75BathurstProctor Park197561996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
Dubbo BullsDubboHans Claven Oval
Victoria Park
Apex Oval
200542010, 2011, 2012, 2020
Lithgow Workmen'sLithgowMarjorie Jackson Oval19820
Macquarie United (Dubbo)DubboHans Claven Oval
Victoria Park
Apex Oval
20130
Mudgee WolvesMudgeeGlen Willow Regional Sports Stadium0
Orana SpursDubboHans Claven Oval
Victoria Park
Apex Oval
199212001
Orange CYMSOrangeSir Jack Brabham Park19750
Orange WaratahsOrangeWaratah Sports Ground196741995, 2000, 2006, 2007
PanoramaBathurstProctor Park20120
Parkes CobrasParkesWoodward Oval
Harrison Park
20200

Personal and kits

TeamHead coachCaptainKit manufacturerKit sponsor
Barnstoneworth UnitedJosh WardDuncan LoganKonQaLittle's Power
Bathurst 75Mark ComerfordLuke MuttonPaladin Sports Panthers Bathurst Leagues Club
Dubbo BullsScott FoxKobe Rapley
Lithgow Workmen'sMartin HunterLogan InwoodKookaburraEast
Macquarie UnitedRhys OsborneBrad MatiuscenkoPumaCastlereagh Hotel
Mudgee WolvesHarry HallHarrison Maynard
Angus Haack
GiocaKelly's Irish Pub
Orana SpursBen MasonJared CorbySouth Dubbo Tavern
Orange CYMSMatt RobertsJoe KayKonQaWestern Safety Barriers
Orange WaratahsAdam ScimoneNiall GibbCountry Fruit Distributors
PanoramaRicky GuihotBrent OsborneArmaduroAgile Arbor Tree Services
Parkes CobrasMeaghan KempsonBrent TuckerGoosey SportsCoachman Hotel

Regular season

Results

Finals series

Grand final

Season statistics

Top goal scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1Craig SugdenOrange Waratahs16
Agieg AlukBathurst 75
3Mitch HutchingsParkes Cobras14
Gareth WilliamsDubbo Bulls
5Thomas RookeBathurst 7512
6Alex Richardson-BellDubbo Bulls11
Alec BatesonParkes Cobras
8Jaiden CulbertPanorama10
Dylan HallsBarnstoneworth United
Adam ScimoneOrange Waratahs
Lachlan HandoParkes Cobras

Hat-tricks

Player For Against Result Date
Lachlan Peet Orange Waratahs Barnstoneworth United 5–0 (H)
Gareth Williams Dubbo Bulls Macquarie United 5–0 (A)
Adam Scimone Orange Waratahs Orange CYMS 6–1 (A)
Gareth Williams Dubbo Bulls Orana Spurs 5–0 (A)
Craig Sugden Orange Waratahs Dubbo Bulls 7–0 (H)
Guy Burgess4 Orange Waratahs Dubbo Bulls 7–0 (H)
Jaiden Culbert Panorama Parkes Cobras 5–1 (H)
Agieg Aluk4 Bathurst 75 Orange CYMS 8–1 (H)
Craig Sugden Orange Waratahs Macquarie United 8–1 (H)
Adam Scimone Orange Waratahs Macquarie United 8–1 (H)
Josh Hurt Mudgee Wolves Parkes Cobras 3–1 (H)
Mitch Hutchings Parkes Cobras Panorama 6–3 (H)
Craig Sugden Orange Waratahs Orange CYMS 6–1 (H)
Brad Luka Lithgow Workmen's Macquarie United 6–2 (A)
Luke Mutton Bathurst 75 Lithgow Workmen's 5–3 (A)
Dylan Halls Barnstoneworth United Orange CYMS 8–0 (A)
Tim Dowler Barnstoneworth United Orange CYMS 8–0 (A)
Jaiden Culbert Panorama Orange CYMS 4–0 (A)
Gareth Williams Dubbo Bulls Lithgow Workmen's 6–2 (A)
Lachlan Hando Parkes Cobras Orange CYMS 6–2 (A)

Notes and References

  1. https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/7403839/i-feel-for-everyone-involved-western-premier-league-season-abandoned/ Western Premier League season abandoned due to COVID lockdown
  2. https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/7330753/the-boys-are-pretty-keen-cyms-set-for-wpl-return-from-next-season/ Matt Roberts says CYMS will return to Western Premier League next year
  3. https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/7515587/bathurst-75-pushing-to-make-a-wpl-return/ Bathurst 75 expresses desire to enter a team for the 2022 Western Premier League season