It was a tough contest at Sir Stewart Bovell Park, but Busselton prevailed by nine points, in the opening round of the 2026 Dale Alcock Homes South West, South West Football League season.
In front of a very big crowd, Bunbury totally dominated the opening term, kicking the only three goals of the quarter, opening up an eighteen point lead at quarter time.
The second term belonged to the Magpies, who kick six unanswered goals to turn an eighteen point deficit into an eighteen point lead. Ryan Ekert was a key focal point up forward and would kick four goals.
The second half is where everything tightened up, with just six goals kicked, with the Bulldogs striking back hard in the third, leaving the deficit at six points going into the final break.
The final term was uncompromising with the Magpies holding on for a narrow victory. Ekert dominated the match, finishing with four goals, with Haydn Busher kicking two for Bunbury. The match was close and low scoring, yielding just fifteen goals for the match.
Busselton will now face South Bunbury in round two, who defeated Dunsborough on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Bunbury will play Carey Park on Sunday, 29 March 2026, in wat is shaping up to be a great contest.
SCOREBOARD
Busselton 0.1.1 6.3.39 7.4.46 8.8.56
Bunbury 3.1.19 3.3.21 6.4.40 7.5.47
Goals: Busselton – Ryan Ekert 4, Ruairi Bass 1, Mitchell Fraser 1, Ben Ganzer 1, Mitch Tenardi 1. Bunbury – Haydn Busher 2, Aidan Clarke 1, Fraser Gilchrist 1, Mackenna Taylor 1, Jett Woods 1, Kye Wright 1.
Best: Bussetlon – Ryan Ekert, Mitchell Tenardi, Jon Meadmore, Tony Notte, Ben Ganzer, Lucas Kemp. Bunbury – Mackenna Taylor, Denholm King, Aidan Clarke, Haydn Busher, Trae Field, Brenton Hilton
Ground: Sir Stewart Bovell Park
Umpires: Kevin Hutchins, Braden Surrall, Lucas Billet
Crowd: 912
