Tigers defeat Bulls

South Bunbury will meet the Collie Eagles in this year’s South West Football League Grand Final, after defeating the Harvey Bulls by 42 points in Sunday’s preliminary final at Hands Oval.

The Tigers took an early lead and with the exception of a slight challenge early in the second term, never really looked threatened by the Bulls on their way to the 10.7 (67) to 3.7 (25) victory.

After a dominant first term, the Tigers were put under pressure in the second quarter by the visitors, but the Bulls gave the momentum back to the Tigers, with ill-discipline costing them two goals on the verge of half-time.

The main break only served as a chance for the Tigers to freshen up and continue their onslaught, keeping the Bulls scoreless in a dominant third term.

South Bunbury were on top in most areas of the game, but dominated around the contests, with Craig Hutcheson doing a good tagging job on Bulls co-captain Josh Krispyn, while ruckman Tom Harper worked well with midfielders Matt Giacci and Kyle Hams to give their forwards first use.

The Bulls tried to mount a fight back in the last term, but a lack of rotations after they lost Andrew Rake and Jakob Tartaglia to injuries before half-time, meant their side was tired and failed to keep up with the running Tigers.

Tigers coach Mark Docking said he was pleased with his side’s ability to turn their form around after last week’s loss.

“The guys were pretty pumped for the occasion today and were not satisfied with their performance from last week,” he said.

Docking said the efforts of his senior players in Giacci, Hams and Dylan Harper was a big factor in the win.

“We challenged those guys (our leaders) and that is why we have them at the club,” he said.

The Tigers looked to have gotten through the game without any serious injuries, with Damon Bull returning from a week’s break and Ryan Bennell coming into the team to play up forward.

The Tigers will now face the Collie Eagles on Sunday.

Bunbury won a thriller against South Bunbury to advance to this year’s South West Football League Colts Grand Final.

The Bulldogs won 9.10 (64) 8.10 (58) against arch-rivals South Bunbury, holding on in a tense last terms when neither side kicked a goal.

Bunbury burst out of the blocks early, kicking four goals to two in the opening quarter, before South Bunbury clawed their way back to be three points up at half-time.

The third quarter was as tense as ever, with both teams fighting it out, before a goalless last quarter had Bunbury miss ample opportunities to seal the victory.

It was a big turnaround for the Tigers, who lost to Bunbury by 65 points in the qualifying final.

Sebastian Dixon and Kade Wallrodt both kicked three goals each for the Tigers, while Brayden McGoward booted three for the Bulldogs.

Bunbury will now face reigning premiers, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in Sunday’s grand final at Hands Oval.

The Eaton Boomers have the chance to defend their premiership, after defeating Carey Park by 43 points in the qualifying final.

Neither side started well and it was not until the third quarter when the Boomers kicked six goals to none were they able to set up the 14.9 (93) to 6.14 (50) win.

Boomers ruckman Jason Smith was the best on ground, dominating in the ruck while also taking a number of big grabs around the ground.

The Boomers could not get their running game going until the third term, when they shook off the under-done Panthers and set up their preliminary final victory.

Caius Harrison booted four goals for the Boomers, who had 10 individual goal kickers throughout the game.

The Panthers tried hard to come back in the last term, but the efforts of Jai Grantham and defender Jason Martinson were not enough to get them across the line.

The Boomers will face Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in the grand final.