Mostly useless stats: Bunbury’s new look side, Busso’s last survivor and more ahead of the preliminary final

Busselton A foundation club, the Magpies have played in 13 preliminary finals in their history, but their record is not flattering. They’ve won just five of their games at this stage of the finals, while remarkably half of their eight defeats have been at the hands of Carey Park. Thankfully for them, the Panthers missed the finals and instead they face the Bulldogs, who they last met in a preliminary final in 2012. On that day, Leigh Kelly kicked four goals as they won 15.9 (99) to 13.6 (84). While Dan McGinlay, who played on that day, has featured for them this year, Jon Meadmore is likely to be the only Magpie to have played in both the 2012 and 2021 preliminary finals. They would go on to win the premiership that year, but on their second attempt — requiring a grand final replay to beat Collie Eagles. More SWFL: Bunbury Bunbury’s incredible and sustained period towards the top of the ladder means this weekend will mark their fourth preliminary final appearance in five seasons. They have also won all of their past three, including last year’s comprehensive victory against Collie. But incredibly, the side that faced the Eagles at this stage last year could have 11 changes from the one that plays Busselton on Sunday. That’s only four less changes than Busselton would have made from their last preliminary final appearance, six years ago. The two sides have met just twice at this stage of the finals, in 2012 and 1998, with the Bulldogs winning the first of those meetings.