Eagles, Bulls win in first week of finals

The Collie Eagles will take on South Bunbury for a spot in this year’s SWFL grand final, after defeating Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault today by three points at Hands Oval.

The Eagles held off the fast finishing Lions, who kicked the only two goals of the last quarter, to win the qualifying final 10.10 (70) to 11.1 (67).

Jumping the Lions in the first quarter, the Eagles quickly grabbed a lead, but forward Jay Walton booted four goals to mount a fight back for Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in the second quarter.

The Eagles then dominated the start of the third quarter, but failed to put it on the scoreboard by kicking 2.6.

But with five minutes to go in the term, both sides traded back-to-back goals, giving Collie a 15-point lead at the final change.

No side scored for 16 minutes in the last quarter, with the deadlock broken by Lions youngster Brayden Harris who kicked a goal courtesy of a 50m penalty.

When Dylan Heasman booted his second late in the final term it looked as if the Lions would over-run the Eagles, but the underdogs held on to claim victory.

The second semi-final will be a derby between the Lions and the Harvey Bulls after the latter defeated Bunbury by 29 points at Payne Park.

The Bulls started slowly but came away with a 8.15 (63) to 5.4 (34).

Harvey defender Matt Robson did an excellent job on Matt Martin, who kicked just one goal as the Bulldogs were eliminated from the finals series.

Jacob Pickett offered plenty of pace for the visitors, while Dean Miller, Michael Genovese and Josh Krispyn were all in the Bulls’ best.

Bunbury teenager Harry Creasey kicked the only two goals of the opening quarter, but finished the game on the bench after suffering a shoulder injury in the second term.

In the reserves, the Eaton Boomers will take on Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in the second semi-final after defeating Carey Park by 44-points.

Bunbury downed South Bunbury by 12 points, meaning they will take on Carey Park in the first semi-final.

The Bulldogs also won the qualifying in the colts against South Bunbury, defeating the Tigers 15.14 (104) to 5.9 (39).

While the elimination final between Augusta-Margaret River and Busselton went into extra time, with the Hawks winning 10.14 (74) to 9.14 (68).