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SWFL 2023: Epic battle between undefeated Donnybrook and Busselton to headline Anzac Round

Carly LadenSouth Western Times
Busselton's Austin Styles tries to hold off Donnybrook's Cahill Beggs.
Camera IconBusselton's Austin Styles tries to hold off Donnybrook's Cahill Beggs. Credit: Carly Laden/Bunbury Herald

As the South West Football League gears up for its annual Anzac Round, two top contenders are set to put their undefeated streaks on the line in what is set to be an epic battle.

Donnybrook, who will return from having two weeks away from the field, will host Busselton at VC Mitchell Park on Saturday.

The Dons go into the match with a 2-0 record, sitting in third place on the ladder behind the Magpies, who are perched atop the ladder on a 3-0 record following their 27-point win over Dunsborough last weekend.

Another team looking to continue their undefeated streak is Carey Park, who will be going head to head with Augusta Margaret River under the lights at Kelly Park.

Carey Park sit behind Busselton on percentage with a 3-0 record after pulling off a 13.13 (91) to 7.6 (48) win over Collie last weekend, while the Hawks, who sit in sixth place with a 2-1 record, prevailed over Harvey Bulls by eight points in the wet.

While the Panthers managed to pull off a more convincing win in their first match since the Easter bye, coach Frank Italiano and his young squad will be put to the test when they face off against the reigning premiers.

On the other hand, the Hawks will be keen to continue building form and develop a winning streak on the back of strong performances by the likes of Lincoln Adams, Steven Payne and Simon Moore.

Augusta-Margaret River's Steven Payne.
Camera IconAugusta-Margaret River's Steven Payne. Credit: Carly Laden/South Western Times

Meanwhile, Collie Eagles will be looking to bounce back and continue chasing their first win of the season when they host Bunbury at the Collie Recreation Ground.

Collie struggled to overcome a slow start against Carey Park last weekend, while Bunbury will be looking to build momentum after holding off Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault by 15 points to record their first win of the season last weekend.

The Eagles’ defenders will need to find a way to shut down Bunbury’s forwards, after the likes of Matt Martin and Hayden Yarran dominated the scoreboard last weekend on the back of solid midfield performances by Jethro Barraclough and Denholm King.

Bunbury's Hayden Yarran celebrates a goal.
Camera IconBunbury's Hayden Yarran celebrates a goal. Credit: Carly Laden/South Western Times

On Sunday, it will be a big battle between former colleagues as Julian Burgess goes up against his former assistant coach Daniel Wiseman when South Bunbury take on Dunsborough at Hands Oval.

While South Bunbury will be keen to continue building up a winning streak and shake off what transpired at Glen Huon Reserve last weekend, Dunsborough will be out to continue to prove they will not be pushovers following a fiery effort against Busselton last weekend.

The contest could bring forth a feast of epic clashes among big names such as Jeremy Goddard, Jace Cormack, Tom Gorter and Jesse Crichton for the Tigers, and the likes of Patrick McGinnity, Nicolas Reid and Max Paterson, along with the ever-looming possibility of an appearance by former West Coast Eagle Chris Masten.

Elsewhere, Eaton will continue looking to build momentum after giving South Bunbury an almighty scare when they take on the Harvey Bulls in their second home match in a row.

Harvey's Andrew Haydon.
Camera IconHarvey's Andrew Haydon. Credit: Jon Gellweiler/JLG Photographics

While Eaton made a vast improvement on previous outings, they will be facing an interesting challenge against the Bulls, who will be hungry to redeem themselves from falling short against the Hawks last weekend.

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