The men’s coxless four is always an event fuelled by prestige and competitiveness, and this year, the Western Australia State Championships will be no different. History shows a tightly contested field is likely, yet the crews that will emerge as champions over the weekend will no doubt look to this event as a chance to assert their dominance. Several clubs have put forward serious challenges to the current State Champions, but it remains Swan River’s event to lose.
Fremantle Rowing Club
This boat has come together with a combination of very promising young lightweights and competitive Under 21 athletes that might be a winning combination for Fremantle Rowing Club. This crew was a little off the pace last year and has been off the fastest times in mixed combinations in recent regattas, but considering the youth of this crew, they could very well upset the established order.
Swan River Rowing Club
Holders from 2023, Swan River Rowing Club, have added to their two returning rowers with some Under 21 talent and a versatile clubman. Swan River cannot be overlooked, having taken out the men’s A Grade coxless four at the most recent Rowing Western Australia Pennant Regatta. They will have confidence knowing they have what it takes to win, which can help shut the door on any pretenders quickly in a small field. They will be the crew to beat.
University of Western Australia Boat Club
Whilst they’re not projected favourites, there is plenty about this University of Western Australia (UWA) boat to watch closely. Taking the stern four of UWA’s A Grade eight from the most recent RWA Pennant Regatta, which includes a U23 lightweight national champion and a Western Australian King’s Cup representative, this foursome has experience rowing together and is on the up. There is plenty to be excited about for UWABC, but whether they can stick it with the very best in the coxless four shall soon be seen.
Western Australia Rowing Club
Second place last year, Western Australia Rowing Club has topped up this boat with Under 21 talent and is led by the man whose performance may well be the deciding factor in this event: Alex Rossi. Rossi has a loaded weekend ahead of him, but his recent international campaign with the Australian men’s quadruple sculls means his rowing resume is above all others in this field. In the stroke seat of a crew that came second without him last year, will he be the difference in a tightly contested race with Swan River?
Predictions
Despite the University of Western Australia Boat Club and Fremantle Rowing Club throwing some weighty young talent behind their entries, the event remains most likely a battle between Swan River Rowing Club and Western Australia Rowing Club. You could envisage either one crossing the line first, but until WARC does it, it is Swan River’s title to lose.
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