SWFL: Busselton celebrate club’s 70th anniversary in style with 57-point win over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault

Busselton celebrated their 70th anniversary in style at Bovell Park on Saturday, smashing Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault by 57 points. Wearing a special guernsey featuring the names of award winners from throughout the club’s history, the Magpies honoured their history by proving far too good for the Lions in a 13.15 (93) to 5.6 (36) result. The ladder-leaders started fast by kicking the contest’s first four goals and finished in the same fashion with a six-goal to two run across the second half. Busselton were without the competition’s leading goal-kicker Liam Creighton on the day as he represented the State country side, but the league’s second-most prolific forward Ryan Ekert stepped up to fill the void with a five-goal performance. Recently-retired WAFL legend Tony Notte continued a standout start to life in the SWFL with another solid showing for the winners, who remain two wins clear at the top of the ladder. In Saturday’s other game, sixth-placed Carey Park kept themselves in the finals race with a hard-fought 31-point victory over Harvey Bulls at Harvey Recreation Ground. The Panthers did not have everything on their own terms against the spirited Bulls but kicked three goals in the final term and held their hosts without one to ensure they ran out 10.9 (69) to 5.8 (38) winners. Carey Park are firmly locked in a battle for fifth spot with HBL, who they sit two premiership points behind but have a superior percentage. On Sunday, Donnybrook won the Peter Betti Cup back from Bunbury with a 12-point victory at VC Mitchell Park. A critical 11.5 (71) to 9.5 (59) win saw the Dons snap a two-game losing streak and take another step towards ensuring their participation in the finals by moving back into fourth place. After featuring for the WA Country side on Saturday night, Zac Trigwell was among four players to kick two goals each for the winners, while recent Bulldogs recruit Kane Mitchell continued a strong run of form with a game-high three majors. South Bunbury proved too good for Augusta-Margaret River at a rain-saturated Gloucester Park, winning by 64 points. The visitors relished the difficult conditions on their way to a 12.10 (82) to 2.6 (18) victory which put another significant dent in the finals hopes of the seventh-placed Hawks. Tigers midfielder Jye Clark was another player to back up from State country duties and star at local level, kicking three goals. In another match played in very trying conditions, Dunsborough ended their run of nine games without a win by edging out Eaton in a three-point thriller at Dunsborough Playing Fields. Only seven goals had been kicked up to the three-quarter-time break. Scores were level, but three Sharks’ behinds in the final term ultimately proved the difference in the 3.11 (29) to 4.2 (26) result. Veteran Simon Moore and rising star Jake Green again led the way for the Sharks. Boomer Ben McGuire stood out in his first game since round six, slotting three goals.