SWFL 2017 rd 4: Collie Eagles dish out another loss for the Bulldogs | photos

The loss is the Bulldogs' first at home.

The Eagles were forced to fight for the lead after a disappointing first term that saw Bunbury come out on top.

It was a low-scoring opening quarter with just three goals between the two sides.

Joel Houghton scored the Eagles only major, the first on the scoreboard for the day and also the first of many for the outstanding Collie forward.

Matthew Martin and Brett Peake scored two very quick goals in return between them to excite the crowd before the first siren sounded.

The score stood at 2.1.13 - 1.3.9 to the home side at the first break.

Collie coach Clint Swallow expressed his feelings loud and clear to the losing Eagles, unhappy with his boys' lack of discipline and high number of mistackles.

Whatever Swallow stirred up in the team worked, with the Eagles exploding in the second term to score four straight goals, thanks to the efforts of Houghton and Jayce Fontana sealing two each.

A lack of discipline from Bunbury's Hayden Hancock saw him give away a free kick in the goal square following one of Fontana's goals. Houghton lined up right in front to seal his third, the Collie crowd firing up as many players came together to shirt front one another.

Bunbury worked hard to even the playing field with Martin and Peake scoring another goal each before the half time siren.

The margin was just one point, the Eagles in front 5.5.35 - 5.4.34.

The Bulldogs came out for the second half strong with another goal from Peake, only to be returned by four goals from the Eagles - one from Fontana and the other three impressive majors from Houghton.

Mathew Michael helped the away side from the backline with outstanding defensive marks that kept Bunbury from scoring.

Both teams looked hungry for the ball and their discipline began to lack, seeing a number of 50m penalties awarded for and against both sides.

A couple of behinds and another goal from Fontana saw the Eagles get up to a 27 point lead at three quarter time, ahead 10.7.67 - 6.4.40.

Not backing down yet, the Bulldogs came back in the final term with improved kicking to targets and three impressive goals.

But Collie stepped it up as well, with goals from Rhys Chappell and Blake Shanahan.

Houghton kicked another two majors in the final minutes, finishing with eight of his team’s 14 goals.

The Eagles celebrated their third win for the season when the final siren rang, claiming victory over the Bulldogs 14.10.94 – 9.6.60. 

The loss is the second in a row for Bunbury, who look to improve next week as they prepare to take on the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Lions.