Another week, another thriller in the Dale Alcock Homes South West, South West Football League, with South Bunbury defeating Augusta Margaret River at Hands Oval on Saturday afternoon by seven points.
Going into the match South Bunbury were coming off a bye, while the Hawks were coming off a loss to Busselton, and it would take seven minutes for the first goal kicked by Quinn Donaldson with an excellent snap.
The Hawks had all the play in the opening fifteen minutes, with Byron George converting a set shot from deep in the pocket to extend the advantage. A free kick in the goal square to Kade Szyszka reduced the margin back to a goal, but the Hawks continued to dominate possession and pepper the goals, kicking three consecutive behinds, before a set shot goal to Beau Morgan gave the Hawks some reward for effort. Jace Cormack would then have a purple patch, kicking two goals in three minutes, reducing the margin to five points, and when Rhys Crawford kicked a great goal on the run from 50m, the Tigers were in front, despite the domination of the Hawks. An equally long range goal to Billy Goodwin gave the Hawks the lead at quarter time.
The second quarter saw the fourth or eight lead changes in the match, when Ethan Nordahl kicked truly from a set shot. Some swift ball movement from one end to the other would see Blaine Johnson kick the first of his four goals for the afternoon, as the Tigers opened an eight point lead. This would be immediately answered by Jed Spence of the Hawks, who kicked two goals of his own, giving the Hawks back the lead. The Tigers kicked to late goals to lead by eight points at half time, in what was turning out to be a very entertaining match.
Max Spyvee kicked a long range goal at the beginning of the third, but Blaine Johnson would kick two goals for the term, and South Bunbury at the eighteen minute mark of the third term led by twelve points, their biggest lead of the match. The Hawks weren’t done with, kicking the final three goals of the term, including one to Byron George after the siren, giving the Hawks a six point lead, and signifying the seventh lead change of the match.
When Blaine Johnson converted early in the final term, scores were level for the third time. Tyson Lane who had a quiet game in relation to scoring, would kick the next two goals, giving the Tigers a 13 point lead. Both teams were out on their feet, with Jed Spence kicking his third goal, narrowing the margin back to seven points, which would be the final margin.
Both teams had plenty of good players in a game that remained close throughout. The Tigers reamin undefeated and move to third overnight in round three, while the Hawks are currently one of six teams on one win. With the Easter bye, South Bunbury venture to Dunsborough in round four, while the Hawks will host Carey Park on ANZAC day.
SCOREBOARD
South Bunbury 4.1.25 8.3.51 11.4.70 14.6.90
Aug Marg River 4.6.30 6.7.43 11.10.76 12.11.83
Goals: South Bunbury – Blaine Johnson 4, Jace Cormack 3, Tyson Lane 2, Ethan Nordahl 2, Rhys Crawford 1, Kade Syzszka 1, Kade Wallrodt 1. Augusta Margaret River – Byron George 3, Jed Spence 3, Miles Bridgland 1, Quinn Donaldson 1, Billy Goodwin 1, Beau Morgan 1, Max Spyvee 1, Ben Watson 1.
Best: South Bunbury – Jace Cormack, Rhys Crawford, Shaun Crane, Ethan Nordahl, Rocco Versace. Augusta Margaret River – Billy Goodwin, Jed Spence, Byron George, Max Spyvee, Quinn Donaldson, Kaspa Donovan.
Ground: Hands Memorial Oval
Umpires: Matthew Stewart, Michael Hearne, Greg Rolfe
Crowd: 538
