A powerful performance from Brett Peake was just one of many highlights in Bunbury's demolition of Collie at Payne Park.
The Bulldogs held second spot prior to the clash, and were likely to soar during the finals series.
Collie, however, has experienced a regrettable season filled with injuries and losses.
The Eagles, to everyone’s surprise, gained momentum and got the upper hand after the opening bouncedown.
They headed towards the forward 50 and set up Austin Kent to nab the game’s first goal.
Soon after, Collie waned as Bunbury’s all-star midfield picked up the pace.
Following Cameron Lamonaca’s first of two goals for the game, Peake capitalised on a lucky bounce before running towards an empty goalsquare and converting.
Collie lost its edge during the term, as Bunbury’s rising star Malik Davis slotted his first of five goals.
After Peake kicked his second, he was given a 50-metre penalty thanks to a late tackle from Collie’s Talan Michael.
The star forward then slotted his fourth, putting his side in front by 31 points at quarter time.
Collie began the second term similarly to the first, as star player Joel Houghton booted his first of five goals.
Although Collie’s stars were in top form, Bunbury’s midfielders continually found free players up forward.
Fans erupted when Peake slotted his fifth, before Bradley Blake and Jesse Gribble converted Bunbury’s eighth and ninth goals.
The Eagles eventually broke through Bunbury’s backline, allowing Houghton to boot two more.
Eagles Blair Malatesta and Samuel Salmeri then found enough space to kick one each.
However, as the quarter drew to a close, Collie’s chances of a second-half comeback rapidly diminished.
Peake established himself as a Hayward Medal contender, kicking his sixth and seventh goals to move Bunbury further in front – 13.5.83 to 6.5.41 – by half time.
The reigning premiers’ top-notch performance pleased the fanbase.
In the second half, interest switched from the scoreline to Peake’s tally.
After the forward slotted his eighth, Lamonaca and Davis booted one each.
Goals to Kane Bumann and Davis extended Bunbury’s overwhelming margin to 68 points (18.10.118 to 7.8.50) by three-quarter time.
Collie’s plan to bolster its backline faltered, as Bunbury once again went on the attack.
Goals to Davis and Matt Martin were quickly followed up by Peake’s 10th and 11th .
Teammates swamped Peake after he kicked his 12th for the game and 61st for the home-and-away season.
He hit the top of the South West Football League’s leading goal-scorers list, edging out South Bunbury forward Leigh Kohlmann by one.
The crowd then erupted as Codey Hay slotted a well-timed snap kick during his 250th game.
The Bulldogs wrapped up the regular season with a 26.14.170 to 8.9.57 win.
Determined to clinch back-to-back premierships, the team will prepare for its qualifying final showdown against third-placed Eaton Boomers this weekend.
South Bunbury nabbed its 11th win of the season with a 12.13.85 to 10.12.72 result against Busselton at Bovell Park.
Having led throughout most of the season, Donnybrook picked up the minor premiership on Saturday afternoon.
Going down 11.11.77 to 9.14.68 to the Dons, Carey Park finished its 2018 campaign in seventh place.
The Boomers slotted into third with a commanding 16.26.122 to 10.12.72 win against wooden spooners Harvey Bulls.
The Augusta-Margaret River Hawks made their presence known with a 12.10.82 to 9.6.60 victory over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault.
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