Blistering third quarter delivers Bunbury 10-point win and Nani Family Cup over Carey Park

Bunbury beat Carey Park 14.6 (90) to 12.8 (80) at Kelly Park on Saturday in a game where momentum shifted in dramatic fashion multiple times. The win delivered the Nani Family Cup back to the Bulldogs after they lost it last year for the first time since 2015. Competition leading goal kicker Joel Houghton once again proved he is ahead of the pack for good reason with a game-high four goals for the visitors. This was the eighth time this season Houghton has scored four or more goals as his season tally sits at 63 — 19 more than his nearest rival. Bunbury’s Jett Woods was productive with the boot, scoring three majors while Dylan Heasman put through two. Carey Park’s Harry Jones, Jack DiLallo and Rory O’Brien all kicked multiple goals for the game as well. The game began with two goals from the Panthers, but Bunbury quickly caught up and scored 25 unanswered points before Carey Park kicked their next major. Despite a 13-point deficit, Carey Park hit the ground running in the second term scoring the only three goals of the quarter. By half-time, the scoreline had turned eight points in their favour. The third quarter was when Bunbury really put their foot on the gas, bagging eight goals. Although Carey Park kicked the first goal after the main break, they were then overrun by the Bulldogs. The visitors had two runs of 25 unanswered points in the third quarter, reclaiming the lead and pushing the margin to 30 points. While the score was daunting — and only made worse with Bunbury kicking the first major of the last quarter — the hosts kept Bunbury at bay, not letting them score again and slotting four goals of their own before full-time. Despite the late surge, they fell 10 points short. The win leaves firmly in Bunbury in second on 44 points with 11 wins. They are three wins behind South Bunbury, but have a game in hand. Carey Park are now fourth on 32 points, above Augusta Margaret River on percentage and ahead of both sixth and seventh by four points.