First-half frenzy seals game for Pies

A reinvigorated Busselton Magpies could not be stopped by visitors South Bunbury at Bovell Park on Sunday, defeating the Tigers by 33 points

With both sides coming off big defeats in the previous round, and both sitting at the bottom end of the league ladder, it was expected to be a fierce clash.

The Pies came out firing in the first term, keeping South Bunbury scoreless.

The return of 2015 premiership player Daniel Mcginlay has been a welcome addition for Busselton. After a few seasons in Manjimup, Mcginlay made his mark early in his second game back in the black and white, kicking both first-term goals for the Pies.

The intensity and physical grunt was there from both sides, but Busselton dominated possession.

It was a worrying sign given last week’s goalless outing from the Tigers resulted in the resignation of coach David Obal.

However, near misses from the Pies in the forward 50 meant the match wasn’t out of reach for the Tigers.

The second quarter marked the arrival of Busselton’s livewire forward Jed Kemp in the game.

When Kemp is on fire, it is usually a good day for the Pies.

While his first attempt was a misfire, he made up for it moments later and split the posts.

Kemp was soon back in the action and converted again.

It looked like it may be deja vu for the Tigers, but Josh Padlie got his hands on the footy and scored his side’s first goal late in the second term. Hopes of a comeback were fleeting, though, with Busselton defender Thomas Begley smothering a kick into the Tigers’ 50.

He sent the ball flying back to Busselton’s forward line, where it landed in the hands of Reegan Mrsich, who kicked a monster goal from outside 50 to put the home side in front 6.5 (41) to 1.2 (8). The third term was a better contest, with each side adding three goals to the tally.

Pies speedster Bailey Sanford could not be stopped as he blitzed his way through the midfield and into the forward line.

Sanford’s three goals for the quarter came from great defensive work from his side, including Cameron Embry, who smothered a kick from South Bunbury’s Glen Harries as he tried desperately to get the ball out of Busselton’s attack. Harries took his revenge when he ran down Embry and caught him holding the ball. This gave his side a boost, with South Bunbury scoring the next two goals before forward Kelvin Lawrence added to their confidence by strolling into an open forward 50 and booting home a major.

The second-half surge from South Bunbury continued into the fourth term, with Brent Latch and William Clemett getting their names on the scoreboard.

But, it was too little, too late, with the match decided early on and dominated by Busselton’s high possession style of play.

South Bunbury were able to redeem themselves slightly as the match went on and in the end they were defeated 10.12 (72) to 6.3 (39).

The Magpies now look forward to the Busselton Toyota Cup against arch rivals the Augusta Margaret River Hawks.

Bouncedown for the derby is 2.30pm on Sunday.