SWFL 2022: Busselton Magpies fly high in 55-point victory over Harvey Bulls for top-two finish

A dominant display from the Busselton Magpies has guaranteed them a spot in next weekend’s qualifying final after smashing the Harvey Bulls by 55 points.

The Magpies and the Bulls battled it out for a qualifying final spot against Bunbury at Sir Stewart Bovell Park on Saturday with both teams looking for their 12th victory of the season.

From the outset, both teams were quick to put the pressure on each other and scramble for the ball.

Although Busselton managed to drive the ball forward, they were kept to minor scores in front of goal.

Harvey managed to respond with two behinds of their own to bring the scores level but managed to take the lead with a goal via Emma Faulkner.

Despite it looking as though the contest would enter a stalemate, Busselton fought back to take back the lead with two late majors from Christie Daniels and Emma Borinelli to lead 2.2 (14) to 1.2 (8) at quarter time.

Keen to build momentum, Busselton quickly drove the ball forward early in the second quarter with Daniels adding a second goal to her tally.

Although Harvey fought hard and put the pressure on the Magpies, they struggled to convert as Busselton extended their lead further with goals from player-coach Rennie Meadmore and Daniels.

Despite strong efforts from the likes of Krystal Carter, Sierraleone Simpson and skipper Rachel Shepherd, the Bulls were kept scoreless for the second term with the Magpies leading by 25 points at half time.

Busselton’s domination continued into the third term with yet another fast start with the likes of Katie-Jayne Grieve and Gemma Wharton getting plenty of possession in the midfield.

But the Bulls managed to find a way to keep the Magpies relatively quiet, keeping them to a goal via Katisha Barrett and several minor scores.

Despite their best efforts, the Bulls were once again kept scoreless for the term to trail 6.8 (44) to 1.2 (8) at the final change.

The final quarter was one-way traffic for the Magpies as they once again managed a fast start and quickly drove the ball forward with Barrett scoring her second goal of the afternoon.

As the Bulls began to fade, Busselton continued putting the exclamation mark on the win with Daniels booting her fourth goal and Beth Beckett pulling off a mic-drop with a late goal to seal the win 9.9 (63) to 1.2 (8).