SWFL 2023: Busselton bounces back against South Bunbury with 29-point win, Donnybrook’s Lisa Worsfold retires

Busselton have proved they can get the job done without several members of their leadership group, bouncing back from their round 16 loss with a convincing 4.12 (36) to 1.1 (7) win over South Bunbury. While Rennie Meadmore, Katie-Jayne Grieve, Emma Borinelli, Maddy Obal and Mia Dronow were unavailable due to a State game in Perth, Busselton went into their highly-anticipated contest with South Bunbury ready to shake off their first loss of the season. Although the first half was closely contested in a high-pressure contest, two quick goals from Sienna Thompson and captain Katisha Barrett early in the third term helped the Magpies get themselves on the winning path. While South Bunbury continued to hold their own against the table toppers and kept the Magpies goalless for the final term, they struggled to get the ball forward in the midst of hard-hitting tackles and interceptions by Busselton. Harvey Bulls celebrated Emma Faulkner’s 50th game in style and extended their winning streak to 10 in the process, defeating an undermanned Donnybrook outfit 7.12 (54) to 2.4 (16) at Harvey Oval. In the midst of a tough contest, the Bulls shook off the Dons to build up a solid lead throughout the first half, all while keeping the Dons goalless. While the Dons found their footing during the second half with goals via Courtney Zappara and Chelsea Hutchinson, it was too little too late as the Bulls held strong to win by 38 points, with Caitlin Shales kicking a game-high three goals. Along with Faulkner being chair-lifted from the ground by her teammates, the Bulls and the Dons celebrated the achievements of Lisa Worsfold, who made the decision to hang up her footy boots in a full circle moment playing against the club she got started with in 2018. A six-goal haul from Daisy Rigby helped Bunbury give themselves a huge percentage boost after keeping Eaton scoreless at Payne Park, winning by 71 points. While Eaton put the pressure on throughout the first half, they struggled to get in front of the Bulldogs to get points on the board. Bunbury put their foot down during the second half, booting seven goals to set themselves up for the win, all while stifling Eaton’s opportunities. Along with Rigby’s skilful performance up forward, Kloe Bassett, Ruby Mahony and Indiana West were named among Bunbury’s best, while Chloe Seaman, Ebony Dowson, Brooke Hansen and Halle Phillips stood out for the visiting side. Despite having a smaller squad on the field, Carey Park bounced back from their round 16 loss to South Bunbury with a 3.5 (23) to 1.2 (8) win over Dunsborough Sharks. In a tight contest, both sides mounted pressure on one another, but the Panthers would break through to kick a goal in each of the first three terms. While the Panthers were kept to scoring two points in the final term and the Sharks managed a goal via Lonita Mann, Carey Park remained composed to hold off Dunsborough and win by 15 points. Holly Bilcich, Gemma Hill, Ruby Goddard and Gabrielle House were among the best for Carey Park, while Shelby Foster, Brigitte Morgan, Olivia Caldow and Mann stood out for the home side.