Busselton and Bunbury will play off in the 2026, Dale Alcock Homes South West Grand Final at Hands Memorial Oval on Saturday, with history suggesting we are in for another close one.
Amazingly, two of the foundation clubs will play in just their second grand final against one another, with the other just six years ago.
The much anticipated second semi final clash between the two sides didn’t disappoint, with the match resulting in a one point victory to Busselton. Earlier in the season in the home and away matches, Busselton also won narrowly.
The two teams play a similar brand of football and both have match winners all over the ground.
Busselton have the Hayward Medallist in Mitch Tenardi roaming through the centre, while the runner-up Aidan Clarke of Bunbury is likely to join him at some point.
Busselton have Liam Creighton, the competitions leading goal kicker, while Bunbury have Jett Woods and Dylan Heasman who finished in the top ten on the season. In the Preliminary Final, Haydn Busher was dynamic giving Bunbury multiple avenues to goal.
Both sides have great defensive lines, though Tony Notte of Busselton would be the pick of the bunch, with his ability to read the play, second to none.
Both teams like to run and carry, and both sides have players with elite kicking skills.
Both teams have a blend of youth and experience, and both sides have players who have been in SWFL grand finals, knowing what it is like to both win and lose the biggest game of all.
The Average winning score in a grand final is 95.98, and it could easily be suggested that the winning score will be way lower than that. Earlier this year Busselton won 8.8.56—7.5.47, while in the Second Semi Final Busselton won 9.8.62 to 9.7.61. Ten goals may be enough to win, but it will almost also ensure a close match, with three of the last four grand finals separated by less than a goal at full-time.
Who wins? This is a legitimate line ball decision, with the agony and ecstasy awaiting the two combatants in a match that promises so much.
