SWFL 2022: Augusta-Margaret River slice Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault apart to prove they are still a threat

Augusta-Margaret River claimed a classy victory on the road in Brunswick on Saturday, slicing Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault apart to prove they are still one of the benchmark sides of the competition. The game was all but over at quarter time with the Hawks holding a seven-goal lead, but the Lions refused to roll over to the reigning premiers, eventually losing 14.17 (101) to 7.7 (49) after a relatively even final three terms. The on-song Hawks dismantled HBL to lead 7.6 (48) to 1.0 (6) at quarter-time, but after the first change, the Lions began to show glimpses of why the future may not be as dire as it seem at Brunswick. Young midfield live-wire Reid Kinnimont began to make the most of Jack Fletcher’s ruck dominance to give the Lions first look at the ball from stoppages, but the undersized forward line struggled to compete in the air against the experienced Hawks backs. Ben Ablett continued to work hard while Brendan Tingey made his way into the game, but the poise and run from Simon Moore and his fellow Hawks midfielders allowed the visitors to score multiple goals from counterattacks and remain in front by 60 points at the main break. Despite the scoreline, there was plenty to like about HBL as they went on to win the second half 35 to 27. The young side — which included debutants Taj Timewell and Jayden Robinson — showed at times the midfield of Tingey, Kinnimont and new signing Josh Underwood could work with key forward Jarrod Humphries.