Bulldogs run riot against Collie Eagles to firm up their premiership credentials

Bunbury’s unbeaten start in the 2022 SWFL season continued on Sunday afternoon, after the Bulldogs romped to a 19.12 (126) to 7.2 (44) win over the Collie Eagles at Payne Park. The Eagles entered the clash having not registered more than eight goals in a game at Payne Park since 2017 — and unfortunately for them, this unwanted trend continued. Bunbury’s chief destroyer once again was explosive utility Dylan Heasman (four goals) who did his 2022 Hayward Medal chances no harm with another glittering four-quarter display. On the back of their corridor ownership, the Bulldogs bolted out to a 24-point lead in the shadows of time-on in the opening term. Adam Bignell’s goal at the 20-minute mark appeared to give the visitors something to work with during the quarter-time break — however by the time Collie registered their second goal of the afternoon, the Bulldogs had already driven off into the sunset. Although the match was well and truly in Bunbury’s pocket midway during the third quarter, the undefeated Bulldogs faced some brief pressure from the Eagles, with two goals in three minutes courtesy of Bignell and Luke Abbott generating a few murmurs on the members’ wing. Keen to finish strongly, the Bulldogs seamlessly clicked through the gears in the final term, booting 7.6 to cap off their afternoon in style.