THE Eaton Boomers cruised to their second grand final appearance in as many years on Sunday when a second half onslaught saw them topple the Bunbury Bulldogs in a preliminary final clash.
After an entertaining first half Eaton’s fitness and leg speed proved too much for the Bulldogs as Bunbury was kept goalless in the second half after leading at half time.
Ten unanswered goals to finish the game were enough for Eaton to take home a 6.10.46 to 13.13.91 win.
Eaton began the game moving the ball with lightning pace as Josh Bowe kicked the game’s first major in less than 30 seconds.
But Bunbury managed to keep a cool head kicking the next two through Aidan Parker and Sam Miles.
Both sides were moving the ball fluently but it was off the back of first quarter efforts from Brad Blake and Myles Smythe that Bunbury took a one goal lead into quarter time.
The second quarter saw the back and forth tussle continue as Bunbury reached a 14 point lead before Eaton kicked two late goals to get within two points at the main break.
Eaton’s pace at centre bounce contests and their ability to keep running was a major difference in the second half.
Bowe, Chris Atthowe, Michael Battaglia and Jye Cormack proved too much to handle for the Bulldogs as running the ball from the middle came with ease.
Karl Collard was gifted the first goal of the second half with Jake Ferrier quickly following after a relayed free kick against Bunbury’s Ryan Sheehan.
Eaton ruckman Brendan Page was especially impressive in the second half.
His presence around the ground went unmatched by Bunbury’s taller players as he helped Eaton to a 19 point lead at the final change.
Bunbury needed the first goal to stay in contention and unfortunately came up short with Eaton kicking four goals to zero in the final quarter.
Bunbury couldn’t find any momentum in their game as Eaton’s Kieran Butcher and Gino Catalano both scored goals in the fourth while Ferrier posted two more majors.
Unfortunately for the Boomers the win came at a price with Andrew Smith going down with six minutes left in the game.
Smith was stretchered from the ground and looks unlikely to play in next week’s grand final.
It now becomes a matter of next man up for Eaton as they head into the biggest game of the season next week against South Bunbury.
