Fiery feuds marred an otherwise enthralling clash between South Bunbury and Busselton in round nine.
For the Tigers, the match was seen as the perfect occasion to farewell star player Kyle Hams.
Tipped to overpower the Magpies without hesitation, Hams and his side were spurred on by a rapturous crowd at Hands Oval.
It was Busselton, however, that took full advantage of the wind in the first quarter.
The visitors made themselves known, controlling possession and finding free targets around the ground.
The Tigers’ defenders valiantly tussled with the Magpies’ collection of forwards.
With play residing on the wings and in the centre of the ground, both sides failed to score throughout most of the first term.
South Bunbury came close to nabbing a mark within its forward 50.
The crowd jeered as Busselton defender Jon Meadmore was given a free kick for being pushed in the back.
Minutes later, the Magpies booted their first attempt out on the full.
Delivering an impressive snap kick in front of goal, Tiger Jack Deschamp broke the drought towards the end of the first quarter.
Busselton’s momentum early in the second quarter was short lived.
Luck swung in South Bunbury’s favour after Magpie Zac Pethybridge committed a high tackle on Guy Piggott.
Hoping to extend his side’s lead, Piggott kicked two behinds in quick succession. Piggott’s shots made for two of the team’s seven near misses in the second term.
The Magpies brought the margin back to three points, before Tiger Leigh Kohlmann kicked his first goal close to half time.
Soon after, Busselton’s Mitchell Tenardi clinched his side’s second to keep them in the contest.
As the quarter drew to a close, Magpie Cameron Embry fought with Tigers Craig Hutcheson and Sam Graham.
Both sides then engaged in a major tussle as the siren sounded, with all players forcefully separated by the umpires.
Following a quarter of slow, reserved play from both sides, South Bunbury held onto a 3.7.25 to 2.2.14 lead at half time.
Hitting his stride in the third quarter, Graham kicked the Tigers’ first goal for the term shortly after bouncedown.
Straight after Magpie Liam Creighton’s set shot from 45 metres out, Kohlmann kicked his second to extend the home side’s margin.
South Bunbury’s star player then assisted in setting up teammate Jed Montgomerie in front of goals.
The Tigers were on a roll, as Busselton struggled to keep the ball out of their opposition’s forward 50.
With his side securing a 28-point lead at three-quarter time, South Bunbury coach David Obal asked for another five goals in the final term.
While Tenardi and Jackson Arbon’s efforts kept Busselton fans engaged, South Bunbury forwards Piggott and Montgomerie quickly responded in kind.
Sayln Stein joined South Bunbury’s group of goalscorers, before Joshua Embry kicked Busselton’s sixth for the game.
Kicking his fourth goal in the final minute, Kohlmann put the final nail in the Magpies’ coffin.
The Tigers now sit third on the ladder after their 11.13.79 to 6.6.42 victory at home.
In other results, Donnybrook held onto top spot with an 11.10.76 to 9.8.62 win over second-placed Carey Park.
The latest showdown between Collie and Bunbury saw the Eagles come from behind to lead at half time and at the final change.
The Bulldogs then clawed their way back to secure a 12.13.85 to 12.6.78 victory.
The Harvey Bulls’ season has gone steadily downhill, made worse by their 16-point loss to Eaton Boomers.
Eaton sits just outside the top five following the 17.19.121 to 15.15.105 result.
On Saturday, Augusta-Margaret River delivered a 10.16.76 to 6.11.47 win over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault at home.
Read more: