THE Harvey Bulls are set to play September football for the first time in the South West Football League after cruising to victory against top-three side Carey Park on Sunday.
The inaugural finals berth comes off the back of a superb showing in which the Bulls applied mountains of pressure on the Panthers and were first to the ball at almost every contest.
Carey Park started the game well kicking the first major through Cody Haub, but momentum changed suddenly and the Panthers were unable to regain it for the remainder of the game.
Josh Krispyn put in a stand-out performance for the home side even after copping a nasty hit early in the second quarter that saw him sit on the bench until the beginning the third.
But Harvey’s early pressure and ability to move the ball into space were superior from the opening.
Tremayne Briggs, who showcased a best on ground performance, was damaging around the field as Harvey booted four goals to Carey Park’s two in the first.
With Andrew McDougall, Kyle Hickman and Kelly Grieves dominating in the back half for the Bulls, they were able to stretch the lead further in the second term.
The Panthers managed to boot two goals of their own coming off some hard work from Graham Jetta in the midfield, but the Bulls showed a number of forward options can kick goals.
Daniel Davis, Lachlan Sharpe and Abe Davey all posted majors in the quarter while David Faulkner and Joseph Rognetta looked dangerous.
The third term saw the Bulls to a comfortable lead despite a late burst from the Panthers.
Briggs continued to dominate while Grieves calmly kept the ball out of Harvey’s defence.
But despite having momentum for most of the quarter, Harvey allowed Carey Park a minor surge in the later stages.
Matt Cavedon was moving the ball out of defence for the Panthers while Liam Stewart continuously ran down the wing.
But Harvey managed to keep Carey Park to just one goal during the attack and take a 30-point lead into three-quarter-time.
The final quarter saw the Bulls run the game out – stacking on five goals to Carey Park’s two.
Davis continued his forward line dominance while Krispyn gave one last attack to see his side to a comfortable victory.
Harvey will now turn its focus to their first ever elimination final against Augusta-Margaret River at Payne Park this Sunday.
Photos by Andrew Elstermann.
