SWFL 2022: Eaton Boomers cap off challenging lead-in with vital victory over Busselton

The Eaton Boomers league squad had a less than ideal preparation heading into Sunday’s crunch clash against Busselton at Glen Huon Reserve. Aside from the pressure of having to defeat the Magpies in order to keep their finals hopes alive, the Boomers announced two days before the game that league coach Darren Rigby had advised them of his decision to not pursue an extension to his contract. This means the Boomers will now be on the hunt for a new coach ahead of next season. Despite all of this adversity, Rigby and the Boomers players took all of the events in their stride and recorded a gutsy 13.6 (84) to 9.16 (70) win over the Magpies. Busselton had the game by the scruff of its neck in the first term. In fact, it appeared as though many of the players had skipped breakfast — because collectively, they had the Boomers on toast. Unfortunately for Magpies coach Daniel Delaney, 2.7 in front of goal by quarter time was not a true reflection of their dominance and ultimately, it came back to haunt them on the final siren. Momentum shifted thereafter, with the home side beginning to find more of the football. In a bid to wrest control for lengthy stages of play, the Boomers players were content to chip the ball around and retain possession by any means necessary. Much to the frustration of the home supporters, this meant routinely kicking the ball sideways and backwards in defence, however it did end up serving a purpose. Trailing by 13 points at the final change, Busselton made one final surge in a bid to win the game, booting three goals in as many minutes early in the final term. However, with the contest hanging in the balance, Boomers recruit Joel Houghton — formerly of the Fremantle Dockers — single handedly took control of the game, booting three goals in six minutes, which ensured the Boomers faithful could celebrate a famous home win. In order for Rigby’s men to play finals, they will need to defeat Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault on Saturday afternoon at Brunswick Oval and hope the Harvey Bulls lose to Busselton later in the afternoon at Sir Stewart Bovell Park.