Dunsborough have defeated Eaton at the Dunsborough Playing Fields on Sunday afternoon, in the final game of round four of the Dale Alcock Homes South West, South West Football League season.
In what was a high quality match under overcast skies, the lead changed hands five times and scores were level on three occassions, with the biggest margin of the match at any time being twenty two points.
The opening quarter was a goal fest, with ten goals kicked for the term. Caleb Stephens who was outstanding all match, kicked the opening goal within twenty seconds on the run. Exactly a minute later, Karl Collard did the same thing to level the scores. A fifty metre penalty put Ben McGuire 50m from goal, and with a brilliant left foot kick, deposited the ball over the fence to put the Boomers in front. Marlion Pickett kicked the first of his three goals from a set shot to put the visitors two goals in front, before Stephens reduced the margin courtesy of a set shot. The goals were coming freely, and neither team could miss, Ben McGuire kicking an outstanding goal on the run to extend the margin further. The first nine scoring shots were all goals, with Eaton nineteen points in front nearing quarter time. Jake South gave the Sharks some momentum going into quarter time, when he snapped a quality goal on his left boot, with the Boomers thirteen points in front at quarter time.
The second quarter didn’t deliver quite as many goals, but it did deliver some quality. Kai Holman scored within the first minute to reduce the margin further, and when Caleb Stephens unleashed a 55m kick from a set shot, scores were level again. Josh Kelly took a one handed mark to put Eaton back in front, and Brendan Stemp goaled after a 50m penalty to put the Boomers twelve points in front again. The Boomers had the momentum going into half time, but the Sharks would come again, with goals to Taj Magee and then Jake South snapped a great goal to put the Sharks in front by a point at the main break.
Upon the resumption it would be the status quo, goal for goal through the third term, with Josh Kelly putting the Boomers in front early. Matt Russo would kick a great goal deep in the pocket on the run to level the scores again. Eaton would lead by four points with four minutes remaining in the quarter, but two late goals to Dunsborough would see the home side lead by seven points at the final change.
In a tense final term, it would be goal for goal again, with Dunsborough leading by nine points with seven minutes to play, before Matt Russo kicked two goals in three minutes to confirm the victory for Dunsborough.
Dunsborough’s final score of 15.9.99 was their highest ever score against Eaton, while it was also their second highest ever score, since joining the SWFL in 2023.
Caleb Stephens was outstanding, as was Simon Moore and Ben Scott. James Ewing played a great game for the Boomers, while Marlion Pickett and Josh Kelly were more than a hanful upforward for the visitors.
Dunsborough will head to Donnybrook next Sunday to play the Dons, while Eaton will travel to Sir Stewart Bovell Park to play Busselton, also on Sunday.
SCOREBOARD
Dunsborough 4.0.24 8.3.51 12.5.77 15.9.99
Eaton 6.1.37 8.2.50 11.4.70 13.5.83
Goals: Dunsborough – Matt Russo 5, Caleb Stephens 4, Jake South 2, Lachlan Baron 1, Alex Cooke 1, Kai Holman 1, Taj Magee 1. Eaton – Joshua Kelly 4, Marlion Pickett 3, Karl Collard 2, Ben McGuire 2, Taj Marshall 1, Brendan Stemp 1.
Best: Dunsborough – Caleb Stephens, Bailey Jenkin, Simon Moore, Ben Scott, Ryder Phillips, Taj Magee. Eaton – James Ewing, Marlion Pickett, Nicholas Hodgson, Jaxon Cahill, Lochie Adcock, Brendan Stemp
Ground: Dunsborough Playing Fields
Umpires: Matt Dodgson, Spencer Drummond, Khye Skoda
Crowd: 566
