SWFL 2023: Former Port Adelaide forward Matt Martin creates history with milestone

Bunbury’s Matt Martin wrote himself into the SWFL’s history books after a six-goal haul helped the Bulldogs prevail over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 10.6 (66) to 7.9 (51) at a damp Payne Park on Saturday.

Martin’s efforts put him on top of the all-time goal kicking tally with 568, overtaking Kurnutt Thorne (Carey Park) who kicked 565 goals between 1982 and 1996.

A close opening term saw Bunbury lead by two points before the floodgates opened and the margin blew out to 19 points at half-time as Bunbury kicked four goals to HBL’s one.

Although the Lions brought the margin back to 10 points at the final change, the Bulldogs held firm in the final quarter.

Jethro Barraclough was a stand-out for the Bulldogs, while Jarrod Humphries played another good game for the Lions.

Premiership contender South Bunbury got more than they bargained for during their 6.14 (50) to 3.5 (23) victory over a determined Eaton at Glen Huon Reserve.

Eaton, coming off a massive 145-point defeat against Busselton prior to Easter, dug their heels in and made life extremely difficult for the Tigers.

Eventually, solid performances from Shaun Crane and Tom Gorter helped the visitors break the game open, however Eaton coach Chris Kinninmont will still be able to take plenty from the loss.

On Sunday at Kelly Park, the Collie Eagles’ decision to not man up on Carey Park ball magnet Rory O’Brien for lengthy passages of play in defence did not pay off.

With O’Brien doing whatever he wanted in the forward line, the Panthers rolled to a 13.13 (91) to 7.6 (48) win.

If it wasn’t for the brilliance of Luke Abbott on the last line of defence, the Eagles’ loss would have been significantly greater.