SWNFL 2023: Eaton notches 11th season win with dominant 71-37 effort over energetic South Bunbury outfit

Eaton have continued to prove they are the team to beat after holding off a spritely South Bunbury outfit 71-37 to earn their 11th win of the season so far. During the South West Netball Football League’s Indigenous round on Saturday, South Bunbury and Eaton went head to head at the Eaton Recreation Centre. While Eaton were quick to drive the ball down the court, with Jessica Knight opening up their tally with several early goals, South Bunbury were out to put up a good fight with plenty of defensive pressure. Abbey Jones and Tanika Dunlop were impressive early, mounting a strong defence against the likes of Courtney Collard and Mickashia Watts. However, Eaton remained composed, with Watts and Knight working well together in the goal circle to continue building a lead. While South Bunbury showed signs of fighting back with interceptions via Nyrobi Zuiderwyk and goals by Chloe Wallace, Eaton led 19-7 at quarter-time. As the Tigers looked to continue fighting back in the second quarter, Eaton’s defenders Kasey Joy and Giaan Evans made it difficult for South Bunbury to get goals in with interceptions aplenty. While Eaton continued to extend their lead via Knight and Watts, late goals from Wallace and Gemma Chapman saw South Bunbury inching their way back into the contest. At half-time, Eaton led 34-20. Following the main break, Eaton continued to dominate the court with strong feeds into Knight and plenty of defensive pressure to blow their lead out even more. While South Bunbury put up a fight with strong defence by Dunlop and Zuiderwyk and quick driving by Amy Howard and Chapman, Eaton held strong to lead 54-28 at the final change. Despite a strong effort by South Bunbury to try and shave the margin, the final quarter resembled more of a victory lap for Eaton, who continued putting their foot down to seal the win. By the end of the match, Eaton notched their 11th win of the season, defeating South Bunbury by 34 goals. At Leschenault Leisure Centre, a dominant first-half effort paid off in a big way for Bunbury, who defeated Harvey Brunswick Leschenault 57-43. The Bulldogs made a fast start during the opening term, leaving the Lions in their dust to score 18-10 for the quarter. While HBL came roaring back to produce an even contest against Bunbury for the remainder of the match, goals via Chloe Rogers and Cassady Osiejak gave them the boost the Bulldogs needed to get over the line.