First-quarter frenzy sees Busselton Magpies account for South Bunbury Tigers in SWFL elimination final

Busselton have taken another step towards premiership redemption, making a statement with a commanding victory built off a first-quarter blitz against South Bunbury on Saturday. In their first final at Bovell Park since 2015, the Magpies led from start to finish to win 17.7 (109) to 7.8 (50). The foundation of South Bunbury’s season has been their ability to take marks inside 50, but in a frantic opening it became apparent that pressure up the ground would make clean entries a rarity. The Tigers went goalless in the opening term as Magpies Liam Creighton and Jaxon East found space inside 50 — kicking the first three goals of the game in a devastating four-minute period. Creighton was involved again just moments later when a wrestle with direct opponent Rocco Versace sparked a melee, for which Versace and Magpie Bailey Sanford were shown yellow cards. WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY HERE Aiden Fraser got involved in the scoring in time-on and the Magpies finished the term five goals up. Without a lumbering key forward, Busselton’s incessant and ferocious forward pressure completely stunted South Bunbury’s movement from defensive 50, with Tom Gorter, Martin Thompson and Cole Sawyer reduced to well below their normal drive and effect. South Bunbury’s ball movement improved after the break and kicking with a slight breeze, Jordan Strahan booted the first two goals of the term. Kevin Chitty also went forward and provided a bright spark for the Tigers, snapping a goal to keep them in the hunt just before half-time. They kept the Magpies to just two goals in the third term, but with Shaun Crane receiving little assistance in the midfield, except for fleeting moments from Chitty and the returning Ethan Nordahl, they would endure another goalless quarter at the Highway end of the ground. More SWFL: Tom Gorter moved up into midfield after three-quarter-time, but the Tigers waited too long to pull the trigger on that move given their lack of run in his usual position at half-back. Mitch Howlett was the Magpies’ X factor during last year’s finals series, kicking 11 goals in three games, and got involved in the scoring again after half-time. But Creighton was the most dominant player on the ground and went on to kick five goals opposed to Versace, who battled hard but was exposed on the lead. The Magpies piled on another five in the final term to run out convincing 59-point victors, but the margin could have been greater, if not for a number of late consolation goals for the Tigers. They face Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault at Brunswick Oval in Sunday’s first semifinal, with a spot in the following week’s preliminary final on the line. The two sides met at the same venue during last year’s finals, with a qualifying final win setting the Magpies on the path to their grand final appearance. It brings to an end an impressive season by the Tigers, who made a surprising first finals appearance since 2018.