Magpies keep Eagles goalless to remain in finals frame

Busselton kept their slim finals hopes alive after claiming a convincing 65-point win against the Collie Eagles at the Collie Recreation Ground on Sunday.

The Eagles were kept to their lowest score ever as they went down 10.13 (73) to 0.8 (8) to the Magpies.

In the testing conditions, Busselton went with the wind in the opening quarter and kept the home side to only two inside-50s for the entire quarter but were only able to open up a 14-point lead going into the first break.

The Eagles were dealt a huge blow into the second quarter when they lost Matt Blackford to a hamstring strain and Chase Griggs to an ankle injury, leaving them with just two men on the interchange.

Magpies captain and vice-captain, Aidan Fraser and Jackson Arbon, led the away team in the second quarter but where only able to kick one goal, keeping the Eagles in the game.

Coming out a new side after half time, the Eagles piled on the pressure in the early stages of the third quarter and scored three behinds and they looked to be back in the game.

But that all come to a screaming halt when Jed Kemp scored his second goal of the game, opening up the flood gates for the Magpies who went on to score five goals in the third quarter.

Teke Vernon and Adam Bignell did not give up and scored goals for the Eagles.

But then it started to rain heavily in the final quarter and Busselton’s talls, Steve Cameron and Tom Fleming stood strong against the depleted Eagles backline to kick two more goals and seal the game.

Scoreboards

Busselton 2.2 3.5 8.10 10.13 73 def Collie Eagles 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.8 8

Goals: Busselton – J. Kemp, T. Fleming, S. Cameron, R. Arbon 2, A. Fraser, M. Tenardi.

Best: Busselton – J. Arbon, J. Ness, M. Tenardi, S. Cameron, J. Kemp, J. Meadmore. Collie Eagles – T. Vernon, A. Bignell, M. Michael, R. Chappell, J. Roney, K. Fleay.