South Bunbury went back to the top of the Dale Alcock Homes South West Premiership Ladder, with a comfortable win over Carey Park on Saturday evening at Kelly Park.

In a dour opening quarter, both defences were on top, with the Tigers kicking the only goal of the quarter as light rain started to fall.

Carey Park stuck with South Bunbury in the second quarter, but a ten minute burst towards the end of the second quarter gave the visitors a 21 point lead at the main break.

The heaviest of the rain fell in the third quarter which is when South Bunbury really took the advantage, kicking six goals to one to blow the game open, and with the game beyond doubt the final quarter was a replica of the first, with South Bunbury taking the win by 59 points.

Cole Sawyer for the second week running was named best on ground, while Jay Wright and Blake Piggott also played well, with Jordan Strahan kicking five goals, with his second goal of the evening being his 50th of the season.

Jack Monhouse, Bill Brown and Ethan Maguire tried hard, but the Tigers were too strong.

South Bunbury will next face Donnybrook next Saturday in a twilight match at Hands Oval, while Carey Park will travel to Brunswick to take on the Lions in the Saturday afternoon fixture.

MATCH CENTRE

South Bunbury  1.4.10  4.6.30  10.9.69  11.10.76
Carey Park  0.3.3  1.3.9  2.3.15  2.5.17

Goals:  South Bunbury – Jordan Strahan 5, Ethan Nordahl 3, Rocco Versace 1, Brayden Jones 1, Rhys Crawford 1.  Carey Park – Viv Blurton 1, Jack DiLallo 1.
Best:  South Bunbury – Cole Sawyer, Jay Wright, Blake Piggott, Martin Thompson.  Carey Park – Jack Monkhouse, Bill Brown, Ethan Maguire, Bailey Taylor, Aaron Holmes, Jake Ireland.
Ground:  Kelly Park
Umpires:  Kevin Hutchins, Henry King, Cameron Valenti
Reports:  Ethan Maguire reported for striking by Field Umpire Cameron Valenti
Crowd:  605

Cole Sawyer played another excellent game for the Tigers. Photo courtesy of Wayne Hislop

It was a shoot-out for three quarters of the Harvey Fresh Cup between Harvey Bulls and Harvey Brunswick Leschenault at Harvey Oval on Saturday afternoon, the opening game of round eighteen of the Dale Alcock Homes South West, SWFL Premiership season, witnessed by a healthy crowd.

Fans weren’t to foresee what was about to occur, as there was no score through the first eight minutes of the match, with Jarrod Humphries eventually opening the scoring with a mark and goal from 40m.  That would then open the flood gates, with Michael Bennell winning a one on one contest to snap the Bulls first of the afternoon.  Tyson Powell kicked truly from 45m out to put the Bulls in front at the twelve minute mark, but some undisciplined play led to a triple 50m penalty, with Ty Armitage kicking the easiest goal of his career.  As the first quarter approached time on, Jarrod Humphries converted courtesy of another 50m penalty, and when Blake Offer goaled from a free kick the Lions were two goals in front.  Harley Bennell narrowed the margin after a double 50m penalty to the Bulls, as the 50m count equaled the number of goals.

The second quarter saw an avalanche of goals with the home team kicking eight, while the Lions kicked four.  Michael Bennell scored the Bulls fourth goal of the match in the first 18 seconds of the second quarter, before Kyle Humphries and Brad Holmes also goaled within the first four minutes.  Andrew Haydon was providing plenty of run and carry through the middle of the ground and when Michael Bennell goaled at the seven minute mark, the danger signs were showing for the Lions.  They hit back strongly though with Jonathan Fenwick converting after the eighth 50m penalty of the match, and when Connor Carbone snapped brilliantly the margin was back to seven points.  Andrew Haydon kicked two late majors, including a great running goal just before half time to have the home team 21 points in front at the major break.

It would be goal for goal to start the third quarter, but Harvey Brunswick Leschenault then got a run on with a handy breeze, and when Taj Timewell goaled in time on, the margin was back to four points.

The final term saw the Bulls kick away, with Brad Holmes kicking three goals in twelve minutes to snuff out the resistance.  Holmes ended the day with five goals, passing 50 for the season.    Eli Smith and Andrew Haydon were amongst the best for the Bulls, while Jack Fletcher and Jonathan Fenwick played well for the visitors.

The win keeps the Bulls inside the five, with a big match next Sunday in round nineteen against Augusta Margaret River, while HBL will host Carey Park on Saturday at Brunswick Oval.

MATCH CENTRE

Harvey Bulls  3.1.19  11.5.71  12.9.81  18.11.119
Harv Bruns Lesch  4.2.26  8.2.50  12.5.77  13.5.83

Goals:  Harvey Bulls – Michael Bennell 5, Brad Holmes 5, Tyson Powell 3, Andrew Haydon 2, Harley Bennell 1, Kyle Humphries 1, Aaron Jovanovic.  Harvey Brunswick Leschenault – Jarrod Humphries 4, Ty Armitage 2, Jai Moll 2, Blake Offer 2, Connor Carbone 1, Jonathan Fenwick 1, Taj Timewell 1.
Best:  Harvey Bulls – Eli Smith, Andrew Haydon, Kyle Humphries, Michael Bennell, Brad Holmes, Harley Bennell.  Harvey Brunswick Leschenault – Jack Fletcher, Jonathan Fenwick, Connor Carbone, Taj Timewell, Jarrod Humphries, Ty Armitage
Ground:  Harvey Oval
Umpires:  Paul Davey, Michael Hearne
Reports:  Nil
Crowd:  647

Co-Captains, Eli Smith and Brad Holmes with the Harvey Fresh Cup

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) has completed its investigation on behalf of the WA Country Football League (WACFL) and the South West Football League (SWFL). The findings and recommendations were presented at a meeting with the SWFL in Bunbury, Thursday evening.

The investigation established that a number of incidences impacted the South Bunbury Football Club women’s team, the South Bunbury FC (SBFC), the South West Football League (SWFL) and associated parties. It has concluded that all parties at some point contributed to, or inadvertently contributed to events that unfolded.

The WAFC has made 10 recommendations from the findings, all with a high intent to create a unified culture and enhance diversity within the SWFL.

These recommendations include an independent audit to identify inadequacies in women’s football, as well as different forms of education for diversity, inclusivity, and cultural awareness.

Governance also underpins several of the recommendations, with the necessity of female representation and Indigenous welfare at the forefront, the WAFC has recommended women be enlisted onto the SWFL board to ensure women’s voices are heard, as well as an Indigenous Welfare – Mentor Officer to support all associated SWFL clubs.

The WAFC wishes to commend the SWFL for their cooperation and early adoption of some recommendations throughout the investigation process.

SWFL President, Barry Tate said the process was a learning experience and will take a proactive approach with clubs based on the recommendations.

“The South West Football League are committed to working with all of our clubs and stakeholders to adopt the recommendations outlined in the report to ensure we provide the best environment for men and women,” Tate said.

“South Bunbury has shown through this process that they aren’t a racist or sexist club. We can all learn from this as a collective as this could happen to any club in the future so we need to be very proactive and work with our clubs.”

The South Bunbury Football Club stated “The South Bunbury Football Club accepts the findings of the WAFC Integrity report handed down,”

“We proudly stand by our club ethos and are in no way a Racist or Sexist club, which we are also accepting of the report findings of this nature,”

Our club will continue on its path of cultural awareness education and also continue to create an inclusive environment for all who play their part at our club.”

The WAFC wishes to confirm the entire report is confidential. The full report contains sensitive material, as such, the WAFC has a responsibility and is bound by a duty of care to ensure the personal health and wellbeing of individuals are protected as we provide our findings and recommendations.

The release of information regarding the report is now at the discretion of the SWFL.

After losing to Harvey Bulls last Sunday, Donnybrook face another tough task this Sunday at VC Mitchell Park when they take on Busselton, in a match they simply must win.

If they lose, the Dons must either beat South Bunbury at Hands Oval next Saturday or Bunbury at Payne Park the week after that in a horror run home to have any chance at playing in the finals.

For Busselton, a win on Sunday could well put the Magpies in third spot on percentage depending on the margin, with the black and whites only playing teams below them on the ladder for the remainder of the home and away season.  Busselton have won eight of their last nine games, with the only loss being to South Bunbury.

Despite starting well and kicking accurately, the Dons were over-run last Sunday by Harvey Bulls and will need a four quarter performance against the Magpies.  The Dons will welcome back Zac Trigwell who played in the WACFL state match in Adelaide last week, which will boost their forward line which managed just 10 scoring shots for the match last weekend.

Mitch Howlett of Busselton has averaged three goals a match in his last five matches and will need to be guarded closely, while Jed Kemp and Liam Creighton have managed 49 goals between them and will also need to be shut down if the Dons are to win on Sunday.

At the other end of the ground, Jeff Smith has four times this season kicked four or more goals, but was kept to just two in last weekends loss and he too will be looking for a bigger haul to get the Dons across the line.

With plenty on the line, it is expected to be a tough contest, with the League match scheduled to commence at 3.00pm.

MATCH TIMES:  Colts 9.45am, Reserves 11.40am, Womens 1.30pm, League 3.00pm

Another tough tight contest is expected between both teams on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Sharyn Newlands

Based on ladder positions, Eaton Boomers should beat the Collie Eagles at Glen Huon Reserve on Sunday, but the Eagles continue to play good football despite their bottom place on the ladder.

Eaton Boomers almost caused an upset of their own last Saturday against South Bunbury, falling agonisingly short in the final result, and will relish the opportunity to play at home this Sunday.  Despite last weekends loss, Donnybrooks loss to Harvey Bulls keeps the Boomers well and truly in the hunt for the final spot in the finals, with the Boomers having a much easier run home than both teams above them currently.

The Boomers simply need to win against Collie to keep that hope alive, otherwise it will be very difficult for them to make it.  Collie certainly won’t make it easy for them, with many young players in the Collie line-up playing good football, including Kayden Pola, Jakob Pilatti and Jack Davidson.

Three players the Eagles will need to watch are Brandon Jetta, Joel Houghton and Tanner Allen who have kicked 52 goals between them, giving the home team several different avenues to goal.

The Boomers should win, the question is will Collie cause an upset?

MATCH TIMES:  Colts 10.15am, Reserves 12.10pm, League 2.10pm

Greg Humphries and Karl Collard, will be two players the Eagles will need to stop this Sunday. Photo courtesy of Wayne Hislop