26-05-2025
SWFL: Busselton beat Carey Park by 37 points, South Bunbury smash Collie by 81 points
Busselton's dynamic attacking trio fired them to another win on Saturday, with the Magpies beating Carey Park by 37 points at Bovell Park.
Liam Creighton (five goals) moved to the top of the competition's goal-kicking race ahead of teammate Ryan Ekert (three) and Mitchell Cameron (two) was also prominent as their side claimed a 14.7 (91) to 8.6 (54) victory.
A seventh win from eight games this season leaves Busselton with a three-game buffer inside the top five, though they have played one game more than much of the chasing pack.
The Panthers led by 12 points after kicking the first three goals of the second term, but the hosts responded with the next three to take a one-goal lead into half-time, which they boosted to 24 points at the final break.
Veterans Matt Martin (four goals) and Rory O'Brien (three) provided most of the attacking punch for the Panthers, who now sit in seventh with a 3-4 win-loss record despite owning a strong percentage of 118.71.
South Bunbury recorded the biggest win of the round in Saturday's other game, smashing Collie by 81 points at Collie Recreation Ground.
A huge margin looked in the offing when a 12-goal to none first half saw the Tigers take a 72-point advantage into half-time but the Eagles fought back across the third and fourth quarters in an eventual 17.12 (114) to 4.9 (33) result.
The result has seen the reigning premiers move into third ahead of their WA Day weekend derby clash with undefeated ladder-leaders Bunbury on Sunday.
Spearhead Blaine Johnson slotted four goals for the winners and Jye Clark — the brother of Fremantle star Jordan who was cleared to the club earlier this season — continued a good start to life in the league with two of his own.
On Sunday, a dominant second half powered Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault to a 74-point victory over Eaton in their clash at Glen Huon Reserve.
The Lions took a four-point lead into the main break after an even first half but added 12 goals in the second while keeping their hosts to only one to claim an 18.13 (121) to 7.5 (47) win.
Jai Rout led the way with five goals for the winners, with Brendan Tingey (three goals), Jesse Crichton, Jarrod Humphries and Emmett Templeton (all two) also doing damage in attack.
Having not tasted defeat in their four games since coach John Baggetta returned for a second stint at the club, the Lions remain in fourth spot on the ladder.
Sunday's other game saw Augusta-Margaret River defeat Harvey Bulls by 49 points at Gloucester Park.
The Hawks did not have everything their own way, but were good enough to come away with an 11.13 (79) to 4.6 (30) victory which was set up by a six-goal to one first half.
