Being over 20 points down at three quarter time the Harvey Bulls came out firing in the final quarter and took the win out from underneath the Collie Eagles, pushing them to the bottom of the ladder.
The Bulls started round seven of the South West Football League off slow with the Eagles dominating most of the game.
Harvey Bulls coach Brendon Jones said that despite the team’s injuries they were still able to capitalise and kick several goals in the final quarter to get on top.
“We started pretty slow and it took us awhile to get into the game and then we suffered two or three injuries, we got behind about five or six goals and to the boys credit they just fought it out to the end and then got a bit in the last quarter and we were able to get on top and capitalise,” he said.
Collie started the game right with three goals from Blake Shanahan, Matthew Blackford and Blair Malatesta, while the Bulls only managed one major from their full forward Ryan Nye.
Unfortunately Harvey’s main goal kicker didn’t play out the match with an injury in the first half.
“We had our full forward Ryan Nye do his hamstring,” Jones said.
In the second quarter the Bulls sustained more injuries with Reece Blechynden hurting his ankle and Rhys Anzellino breaking his collarbone.
“So for the last half we were down to just 19, with one on the bench,” Jones said.
Collie Eagles coach Seth White said his team also suffered some injuries.
“We suffered an injury before the game in the warm up and another one just before half time,” he said.
By half time the Eagles were up by 33 points with the score being 8.10 (58) to the Bulls 3.7 (25).
In the third quarter there were many goals kicked by Kyle Hickerman, Ryan McKinlay and Jaxon Pitts from the Bulls and Michael Florio from the Eagles.
At three quarter time the scores were 11.11 (77) to 8.7 (55).
It was a thrilling last quarter with the Bulls taking the lead with just five minutes to spare.
By the final term the Bulls had kicked several goals, making up the 22 point margin and both teams were going head to head.
The Eagles couldn’t hold their own and the Bulls eventually started taking the lead, kicking five goals in the last quarter.
When the siren sounded at the Collie Recreation Ground the Bulls had won by a close nine points. The final scores were 13.9 (87) to 11.12 (78).
It was a thrilling last quarter with the Bulls taking the lead with just five minutes to spare.
“We dominated the first half and the Bulls picked up that momentum in the last quarter and we just couldn't catch up. Some of our best players on the ground were Adam Bignall, Paul Rinder, Joel Leeson and Chase Griggs,” White said.
Jones said having won the game it will give the team the belief that they can win tighter games.
“I think our midfield just worked tirelessly all game so it was a great effort. I thought Ryan McKinlay down back was solid all day and stopped a huge amount of goals and our ruck man Rob Loton did fantastic in the ruck as well as Eli Smith and our young wing man Jaxon Pitts,” he said.
“We’ve lost two or three games by under a kick so to win that one and it being a close game I think it will give the boys the belief that we can win those tight ones.”
Harvey Bulls will compete against Bunbury on Sunday June 10 in round eight at PC Payne Park, Bunbury at 2:30pm.
“Bunbury is obviously going to be a hard game but we are back at home so I think if we apply the same pressure and effort we will give ourselves every chance,” he said.
The Collie Eagles will go up against Harvey Brunswick Leschenault on Saturday June 9 at Brunswick Oval, Brunswick at 4:40pm.
