Coming off a surprise loss to Eaton Boomers, Bunbury showed no mercy against Busselton in round two.
Fans on both sides turned out to PC Payne Park on Sunday afternoon, undeterred by the cold winds or buckets of rain.
The colts, reserves and women’s sides faced stormy weather. The league teams, however, expected even worse conditions.
Bunbury scored an early win shortly before bounce down; choosing to kick to the northern end of the ground after winning the toss.
The visitors would not go down without a fight and controlled possession throughout the opening minutes.
Winning their share of rucks, the Magpies’ players hit their stride almost immediately.
As Busselton’s midfielders pushed forward, Bunbury’s defenders struggled to clear the ball out of the Magpies’ forward 50.
Making the most of a free kick, Magpie Mitchell Tenardi kicked the first goal of the game in front of concerned Bulldog fans.
Fortunately for the home crowd, Bunbury’s Zane Rigby’s snap kick floated right into the hands of star Brett Peake.
Following Peake’s first goal of the clash, the Bulldogs regained their momentum.
Bunbury’s Travis Justins lined up for goal after taking a mark 40 metres out.
As Bunbury’s players celebrated Justins’ goal, Busselton’s fans felt the tables turn.
The Magpies made a last-ditch run through the midfield, before a high tackle on Bunbury’s Kai Luzi halted the visitors’ momentum.
As the wind picked up, frustrations were felt on both sides.
Seeing his team trail by six points at quarter time, Busselton coach Steve Lester was fired up.
His advice was simple – get the ball, control possession, and head straight for goal.
The Magpies threw everything at the home side’s defence early in the second quarter.
As Bunbury struggled to get the ball into its half, the visitors found free players in open spaces.
After Peake slotted his second, torrential rain led to slower play and increased errors from both teams.
Peake’s third came midway through the term. The forward soccered the ball through the posts after a lucky bounce in the goal square.
Busselton only managed two points in the second term. Bunbury, on the other hand, looked set to continue its dominance for the rest of the game.
Falling to a 4.1.25 to 1.3.9 deficit, the Magpies needed to reboot at half-time.
In the first minute of the third quarter, Peake continued his run and kicked his fourth for the game.
Steven Cameron answered Busselton’s prayers by kicking his first goal moments later.
Despite increasing its chances at goal, Busselton slotted several attempts through the point posts.
A golden opportunity from Aidan Fraser sailed across the face of goal and went out on the full close to three quarter time.
Mason Hislop slotted his first goal in the fourth quarter and kept hopes of a comeback from Busselton alive.
Spurred on by coach Jamie Nani’s advice at the final change, the home side seeked to put the game out of reach.
Peake kicked his fifth and sixth before Cameron slotted his second for the opposition.
Busselton’s cheer squad roared as Fraser kicked his first midway through the term.
The visitors’ fourth-quarter resurgence failed to prevent Bunbury’s Trent Gribble and Jordan Falco from kicking the last two goals of the game.
The Bulldogs fought off spirited opposition and wild weather to clinch a 9.5.59 to 5.8.38 win.
Round three will see Bunbury face off against Carey Park and Busselton go up against Eaton.
