FOOTBALL: The South Bunbury Tigers have fired a warning shot to the rest of the competition with an 85 point demolition of the Busselton Magpies at Hands Oval on Sunday.
The Magpies were kicking with the breeze in the first quarter and had plenty of the ball but good defensive pressure from South Bunbury caused them to rush plays and kick inaccurately.
The Tigers on the other hand got off to a flyer with an impressive goal from Brynn Francis handing South Bunbury a 3.4.22 to 0.4.4 lead at quarter time.
In the huddle Busselton coach Greg Hodson urged his team to settle.
“You have had good pressure but missed some opportunities,” he said.
“I hope you have got the messy play out of your system and you have some good, clean football left in their.”
But the pain continued for the visitors as the Tigers pilled on another four goals with Wes Lammie dominating the ruck battle and kicking truly in front of goal.
Busselton’s Mason Hislop ran out of his skin through the midfield in an attempt to spur on his side but late goals to Leigh Kohlmann and Adam Harper blew the margin out to 37 points at the half.
Busselton came out with fresh resolve in the second half and Aidan Fraser pulled off two blinding marks in as many minutes diving left and right – a performance the best slip fielder would be proud of.
More goals to Francis and Kohlmann blew the margin out to 55 and it wasn’t until half way through the third quarter that Busselton posted a major thanks to Fraser.
The wind became stronger as the afternoon progressed and this was evident with South Bunbury scoring four straight behinds to go into three quarter time with 9.14.68 to 1.6.12 lead.
South Bunbury kicked the first four goals on the final term with help from Shaun Crane and Brett Robinson before the teams traded more points in the run to the final siren.
South Bunbury’s 14.16.100 to 1.9.15 victory comes as a big blow to the fourth place Busselton and serious improvements will need to be made if they wish to contest the finals.
Round 12 delivered a number of surprising results including the previously undefeated Bunbury falling to Carey Park 19.10.142 to 15.4.94, Collie 6.8.44 drawing with Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 5.14.44, Harvey scoring a big win over Donnybrook 15.19.109 to 3.5.23 and Eaton defeating Augusta-Margaret River 12.12.84 to 6.10.46