SWFL 2022: Big win over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault could see Busselton Magpies into top-three

Busselton will know a percentage-boosting win over the struggling Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault on the weekend could see them in the top three on the SWFL ladder. The Magpies head into the clash in fourth, but trail Bunbury by percentage alone — a remarkable turnaround after losing four of their first five matches to start season 2022. Since their round five loss to Carey Park by just 14 points, Busselton have won six games from seven starts, including the impressive scalps of Bunbury and Augusta-Margaret River in their last three outings. The Magpies are now a massive chance to finish the season with a flurry due to not having to face the top three sides again for the year. Meanwhile, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault have been humbled in recent weeks after a purple-patch in the middle stages of the season. HBL beat Harvey, Collie and Eaton and drew with Carey Park over four consecutive matches from round seven to round 11, but have been convincingly beaten in their last three games. And things are only expected to get harder for the Lions, with the recent losses of midfield stars Joshua Underwood and Brendan Tingey set to put them on the back foot for the rest of the season. But HBL will take confidence into the weekend knowing they took it up to the Magpies last time they met, with the Lions going down 12.6 (78) to 10.5 (65) in round four in Busselton in what was then their most impressive showing for the year. The match will start at 3pm on Saturday at Brunswick Oval.