SWFL women’s: Bunbury return to winners list with 43-point defeat of Donnybrook

Bunbury’s women’s side returned to the South West Football League winners list at Boyanup Oval on Sunday after defeating Donnybrook by 43 points. A competitive Dons outfit did not quite have the quality to match the reigning premiers, who backed up a surprise loss to South Bunbury last Sunday by coming away with the points in a 6.14 (50) to 1.1 (7) result. The Bulldogs’ leading lights shone bright in the win, with star forward Daisy Rigby continuing a brilliant campaign by kicking three goals to take her season tally to 24. Midfielder Kloe Bassett was again unstoppable at the contest, while Melinda Bobby, Chantelle Hannagan and Caitlin Ward were also strong. After Rigby rolled home her side’s opening major inside the first few minutes of the contest, a light shower became heavier, which resulted in the Bulldogs struggling to capitalise on their opportunities in front of goal. Rigby again showed her quality by faking out an opponent and slotting her second just moments before quarter-time, boosting Bunbury’s lead at the first break out to 16 points. Donnybrook attacked the second quarter with renewed intensity and were rewarded when Che Harcombe took a big one-on-one mark in the goal square and kicked truly to get the hosts on the board, but Rigby responded to ensure the visitors maintained a half-time buffer greater than two goals. The lead was extended further only moments into the third term through Georgia Mahony but the Bulldogs struggled to capitalise on their dominance from there, kicking six behinds in the remainder of the term. In the last term, Faith Robertson was rewarded for a good day out with a goal before Rigby turned provider, hitting up Cadence Edwards for an easy finish. The two teams maintained their positions on the ladder, with Bunbury sitting in third and Donnybrook in seventh.