SWFL 2023: Harvey Bulls overcome slow start to defeat Bunbury for eighth consecutive win

Harvey Bulls have continued to prove themselves as a major threat for the finals after overcoming a slow start to knock off Bunbury Bulldogs for the second time this season, defeating them by 23 points. During the South West Football League women’s Gather Round at Collie Recreation Ground on Saturday, the Bulls and the Bulldogs went head to head. While Harvey were quick to mount the pressure on Bunbury, who boasted less personnel than the Bulls, the Bulldogs kept the Bulls in their forward 50. After the Bulldogs initially managed two behinds, Abby Gellard broke through with a late goal to give the Bulldogs a solid eight-point lead at quarter-time. The Bulls looked to respond during the second term, with Megan Minton drawing first blood for the Bulls before the contest turned into a fight for territory as the misty rain started to set in. While Bunbury held on to lead by two points at half-time, it did not take long for the Bulls to take the lead with an early goal via Trinity Brown in the third term, eventually followed by a second goal from Minton. Despite Harvey extending their lead, Bunbury continued to fight hard in the wet conditions, providing plenty of defensive pressure. However, it was not enough to stop the Bulls from charging to victory, with 50-gamer Emma Faulkner booting two goals during the final term to seal the 5.1 (31) to 1.2 (8) win. Carey Park have been deducted four premiership points after allegedly fielding an unregistered player during their 12.8 (80) to 0.2 (2) win over Collie Eagles in round 14 at the Collie Recreation Ground. SWFL general manager Jason Crowe told the Bunbury Herald the Panthers were appealing the decision. This point deduction has had a dramatic impact on the race for fifth spot, with Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault now two games clear of both six-placed South Bunbury and the Panthers. Despite struggling to line up accurate shots on goal early, HBL were quick to build up a lead against South Bunbury during their Gather Round match. In the midst of several behinds kicked, it wasn’t until late in the term when the Lions managed some majors via Tegan Kennett and Aryna Pickston, while South Bunbury struggled to get the ball forward. Both sides mounted the pressure on one another as the Tigers looked to seize an opportunity to score, but the Lions extended their lead out even further with a late goal via Mahkenna Chapman pushing the margin out to 26 points by half-time. Chapman’s goal became the final major score made for the match, with both sides kept to scoring behinds throughout the second half in the midst of a high-pressure contest. While South Bunbury prevented themselves from being kept scoreless with a behind during the third term, they found themselves continually overwhelmed by strong defence by the Lions, who went on to win 3.11 (29) to 0.1 (1). Eaton have continued to lift themselves from the bottom of the ladder, knocking off Dunsborough 4.2 (26) to 1.3 (9). Despite being down on personnel, the Sharks brought the fight to Eaton with scores level at a point each at quarter-time. However, Eaton would go on to take control from the second quarter, with Melissa Garlett kicking two goals in the second term, followed by further goals via Brooke Newman and Ebony Dowson during the second half. While the Sharks brought plenty of intensity with tackles and high pressure from Shelby Foster and Olivia Caldow, and was rewarded for effort in the final term with Maya Goudard converting from a 50m penalty, Eaton held strong to win by 17 points. Busselton closed out the round by showing no mercy to the Collie Eagles, smashing them by 108 points and keeping the Eagles scoreless once again. As the rain and cold set in, Busselton were quick to establish dominance and take control of the contest from the outset, with the likes of Maddy Obal and Rennie Meadmore dominating possessions. While Collie tried their hardest to keep up, Busselton were just too good, with Emma Borinelli booting a career-high six goals and the likes of Katie-Jayne Grieve and Phoebe Harris also impressive on the field.