SWFL men’s: Donnybrook strengthen grip on third spot with 91-point smashing of Harvey Bulls

Donnybrook strengthened their grip on third spot on the South West Football League ladder with another strong performance at Boyanup Oval on Sunday, smashing Harvey Bulls by 91 points. The third-placed Dons outclassed the Bulls from siren to siren, with the 17.15 (117) to 4.2 (26) domination seeing them win their third game in a row and second at their adopted home. Another heavy defeat saw the Bulls record the fourth-lowest total score of the season so far, which would have been even worse if not for three late consolation majors in the final term which broke a goal drought spanning the better part of three quarters. Young gun forward Cooper Clarke-Dehring slotted five goals to continue a brilliant start to the season for the Dons, who also got excellent performances from Sam Perkusich (two goals), Connor Oates and Clayton Giblett in a brilliant team display. Two classy finishes from Perkusich either side of a booming set shot finish from Zac Trigwell (three goals) gave the hosts a strong start, heading into the first interval with a 13-point lead. The second term belonged to Clarke-Dehring, who booted Donnybrook’s first three goals of the quarter before Hamish Hutton followed up with one of his own to extend their advantage out to 37 points at the main break. Harvey could not find any verve after the interval and the hosts cashed in, with Clarke-Dehring slotting two more goals in an unanswered third-term run of six before his side added another four majors in the final quarter. Braden Fimmano and Ryan Lester-Smith were strong again but captain Dylan Marino took no further part in the game after an early arm injury on a dirty day for the Bulls, with the defeat leaving them ensconced in 10th behind Eaton and Dunsborough on percentage.