FOOTBALL: Experienced players stepped up to the plate in the Bunbury Bulldogs’ pre-season grand final win over Carey Park at Hands Oval on Saturday.
In a low scoring affair, played along the wing with a high amount of stoppages, a trio of ex-Subiaco players in Marc Re, Jordan Adamson-Holmes and Ryan Sheehan all joined forces to help the Bulldogs overcome Carey Park with relative ease finishing the game 5.5-35 to 2.7-19.
The first five minutes of the game was played in Bunbury’s forward half with Carey Park struggling to get the ball out of their defensive 50.
Persistent work from Grady Byrne, Clint Garlett and Sheehan around the 50 meter line provided Bunbury forward Re with the first two goals of the night.
Michael McMillan and Liam Stewart worked hard for the Panthers in the first half but Carey Park couldn’t convert, going into the second half trailing by 14 points without a goal on the board.
Bunbury continued their strong press in the second half but Carey Park broke through for their first goal off the boot of McMillan.
Jacob Williams dominated the ruck battle for Bunbury and the Bulldogs soon found a way to snag another major courtesy of Adamson-Holmes.
Hard work around the packs from Dylan Garlett allowed Viv Blurton to kick truly for Carey Park which kept them in touch until Clint Garlett and Shane Taylor were able to put the game out of the reach of the Panthers.
Bunbury were lucky to even be on the field after Collie withdrew from the match because it clashed with their major fundraiser.
But the Bulldogs had the last laugh taking their pre-season grand final winning total to six, the most of all South West Football League clubs.
Bunbury took home the $1300 prize for the win courtesy of Hungry Jacks.
The colts’ invitation game held prior to the league match was a different story with Carey Park claiming a 26 point victory over Bunbury.
Teams will now be gearing up for their first matches of the regular season which will kick off this weekend.
