SWFL 2022: South Bunbury reclaim top spot with thumping victory over Bunbury

South Bunbury have reclaimed top spot on the SWFL ladder with one round remaining after beating crosstown rivals Bunbury by 39 points in the Syd Jackson/Max McGuire Cup match. The Tigers beat up on the Bulldogs for a majority of the match, but a four goal to one final quarter in Bunbury’s favour resulted in a more flattering final scoreline as South Bunbury won 13.15 (93) to 8.6 (54). The home side made their intentions clear from the start and kept Bunbury scoreless in the first term as they took a 3.4 (22) to no score lead into the first break. The Bulldogs were able to put in a better showing in the second quarter and some inaccurate goal kicking from the Tigers meant the game was still up for grabs at the main change with Souths leading 5.7 (37) to 3.1 (19). But South Bunbury emerged from the change rooms at half-time like a team on a mission and began to beat up on Bunbury. The Tigers made the centre bounces look like training drills at times during a third term in which they kicked seven goals to one to lead 12.13 (85) to 4.2 (26) at the last break. Bunbury were able to hit the scoreboard in the last term and kicked four goals to one to save face, but the game belonged to Souths. The match was the Tigers’ last for the regular season and they now sit four points clear on top of the ladder ahead of Augusta-Margaret River and the Bulldogs — who are set to do battle on Sunday. A big win to Bunbury over the Hawks at home on the weekend will potentially see them jump to second on the ladder, while a win to AMR will likely see them claim the minor premiership.