Round seventeen of the Dale Alcock Homes South West, South West Football League commences at Hands Memorial Oval on Saturday afternoon, with a top of the table clash between Busselton and South Bunbury.
Busselton go into the match two games clear of South Bunbury, who sit second on the ladder, although the Magpies have played one more game than the Tigers. Busselton accounted for Harvey Brunswick Leschenault last Saturday, while the Tigers defeated Augusta Margaret River at Gloucester Park last Sunday in attrocious conditions.
Wet weather is again forecast, although the heavy rain is forecast for the early morning, but wet conditions won’t deter either side, having played in wet conditions for the previous three weeks.
Liam Creighton returns for the Magpies after missing last Saturday with the State Country side, and along with Ryan Ekert who kicked five goals against the Lions in Creighton’s absence, will provide a handful for the backline of the Tigers, headed by Tom Gorter who is having a great season.
Earlier in the season, Busselton defeated the Tigers at Sir Stewart Bovell Park by 22 points, while they have also won six of the last ten contests between the two sides. A Busselton victory will give the Magpies the minor premiership, and a ticket to the second semi final at Bovell Park, while a win to the Tigers will keep their chances of finishing on top of the ladder alive.
In the run home, Busselton travel to Collie in round eighteen to take on the Eagles, before having the bye in round nineteen and finishing at home against Donnybrook. South Bunbury have three remaining matches, all at Hands Oval, against Harvey Bulls, Bunbury and Harvey Brunswick Leschenault.