James Hawskley serves it up to Panthers with six-goal haul to keep Bulldogs on top of SWFL ladder

Bunbury has maintained its spot at the top of the ladder for a third straight week, defeating Carey Park on Sunday thanks to a six-goal haul from former Brisbane Lion James Hawksley. In just his second game back from a hamstring injury which kept him out for four games, Hawksley proved too much to handle for an inexperienced Carey Park defence as his side won 15.8 (98) to 10.3 (63). As they did the week before, Carey Park started the game nicely, with Ethan Maguire and Rory O’Brien making life difficult for the Bulldogs in the midfield. The Panthers kicked four goals to one in the first term, but once the visitors had their turn kicking into the Kelly Park breeze, the game was flipped on its head. The Dogs produced a 25-point swing in the second quarter to lead by eight points at the main break. With three of last year’s premiership players and another six who have played league this season stuck in the reserves, Bunbury are nearing their ideal line-up, and their depth meant they were able to turn the midfield battle their way as the game wore on. With Jedd Edwards returning to East Perth after their reserves bye enabled him to play for the Panthers last week, Jamahl Mulholland was again forced to go it alone in the ruck, and Bunbury’s duo of Tyson Wood and Cullen Boyd proved too much for the Carey Park skipper. They had improved their lead at three-quarter-time and then again during the last, despite a three-goal final quarter from the Panthers. Hawksley was the main target forward for Bunbury, playing alongside two-time premiership winning full-back Travis Justins in the absence of the suspended Patrick Farrant. Bunbury coach Jamie Nani said his return to the side had provided a huge boost. “Hawksley kicking six goals is a fair output,” Nani said. “It is just his leadership and his direction on the field. It just helps me having someone of that calibre out on the field.” A two-ruck strategy is something the Bulldogs have used sparingly in recent times, with forward Sam Davies combining with Jacob Williams last year and Boyd partnering number one Wood just four times this season. But Nani says it is something he is looking to stick with as finals approach. “Jamahl Mulholland is not a genuine ruckman so that was an advantage for us. He gave it a fair crack, but we had the advantage there in Wood and Boyd as our two rucks,” he said. “I’d say it is something we persist with.” Cameron Hay kicked three goals in the reserves against the Panthers and Liam Renton added two, while third-choice ruck Ben Hazlewood and Max Bilcich also impressed as the battle for spots gets tighter.