South Bunbury are one win away from a perfect season, after they defeated Bunbury in the Dale Alcock Homes South West, SWFL Second Semi Final, in front of more than 1400 fans at Hands Memorial Oval.
In a high scoring first quarter it would be the Bulldogs who started best, kicking six goals against the Tigers in the opening term.
Mackenna Taylor opened the scoring in the opening minute, converting a set shot, and when Cooper Nitschke goaled shortly after, the Bulldogs were off to a perfect start. Tyson Lane was on the end of a 50m penalty to kick the Tigers first, but Bunbury were dominating the
early proceedings with Harry Creasy and Joel Houghton kicking good goals to have the Bulldogs 20 points in front. Kade Wallrodt kicked a goal on the run which just cleared the line to narrow the margin, before both teams defences got on top. Jaymin King kicked a goal from long range with the aid of the breeze, before both sides goaled from 50m penalties late in the quarter to see the Bulldogs 19 points in front at quarter time.
The match was won in the second quarter, with the Tigers kicking seven consecutive goals to not only erase the deficit, but to amass a twenty point lead in the matter of 21 minutes. Blaine Johnson would kick two goals, while Kade Wallrodt’s snap was also a highlight. Cameron Lamonaca stopped the onslaught kicking the Bulldogs first goal of the second quarter at the 26 minute mark, which reduced the margin to 13 points. Just prior to half time, Tyson Lane took a huge pack mark, which was one of the highlights of the first half.
After witnessing plenty of goals in the first half, the third term was tight, but for the Bulldogs it wasn’t a good one. While the Tigers were restricted to two goals, the Bulldogs kicked five behinds, missing several from right in front, leaving them 22 points behind at the final change, with the Tigers coming home with the breeze.
With the Tigers kicking three goals in the opening three minutes of the final term, the match quickly fell out of reach of Bunbury, with Kade Wallrodt putting an exclamation mark on the match, with his fifth goal from long range.
The Tigers advance now to the Grand Final, their second in three years. They will face either Bunbury or Donnybrook who will now play in next Sunday’s Preliminary Final.
Match Centre
South Bunbury 3.2.20 10.3.63 12.4.76 18.6.114
Bunbury 6.3.3 9 7.7.49 7.12.54 10.12.72
Goals: South Bunbury – Kade Wallrodt 5, Blaine Johnson 3, Richard Bourne 2, Ethan Nordahl 2, Lachlan Riley 2, Kevin Chitty 1, Tyson Lane 1, Bodhi Nordahl 1, William Pedley 1. Bunbury – Harry Creasey 2, Hamish Hall 1, Joel Houghton 1, Denholm King 1, Jaymin King 1, Cameron Lamonaca 1, Cooper Nitschke 1, Baiden Parson 1, Mackenna Taylor 1.
Best: South Bunbury – Kade Wallrodt, Blaine Johnson, Lachlan Riley, Thomas Gorter, Kevin Chitty. Bunbury – Jethro Barraclough, Denholm King, Travis Durnin, Mackenna Taylor, Trae Field, Max Bilcich
Ground: Hands Memorial Oval
Umpires: Scott Jones, Khye Skoda, Braden Surrall
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 1461
