CAREY Park made a strong statement to the competition as a clinical second half saw them cruise past South Bunbury to notch a round one win.
After facing a tie game at half time, the Panthers kicked things into gear in the third quarter and never looked back, posting a 7.7.49 to 13.10.88 win over last season’s grand finalists.
South Bunbury began the game with ferocity, entering their forward 50 with regularity and zoning well to keep the ball in their half of the ground.
Damon Bull, Shaun Crane and Matt Giacci were getting first use of the ball at the midfield stoppages while Ben Jerez and Dylan Harper damaged on the outer.
They managed to bag the first goal of the game through Guy Piggot, but the opportunistic Panthers hit back through the boot of Matthew Martin cutting the lead to just one point at quarter time.
“We took some time to get going in the game but I was really pleased with the second half.”
- Carey Park head coach John Baggetta
The second quarter saw much of the same with a back and forth game resulting in scores being level at half time.
But the second half saw a new-look Carey Park team turn the heat up on the game.
Kieran King was especially damaging along with Graham Jetta who produced a possible three-vote performance.
Carey Park outscored South Bunbury four goals to one in the third thanks to majors from Kieran King, Sheldon Pickett, Jetta and Clint Yarran, gifting them a 49 to 31 lead at the final change.
In the last term, some brilliance from Martin saw Carey Park stretch their lead to 39 points at the final siren.
Martin kicked five goals in the last term to finish with six for the game, while Liam Stewart also chimed in for a major.
After the game, Carey Park coach John Baggetta said his side took time to adapt to the game, but were happy with the win.
“We’re really happy to put four points on the board in round one,” he said.
“We took some time to get going in the game but I was really pleased with the second half.”
Baggetta said it was pleasing to see his team was able to run out four quarters quite comfortably.
“It was good to watch the boys come over the top of them in the end,” he said.
“They’re a competitive side and it’s a good win for us.”
Next week Carey Park will face off against Busselton in an Anzac Day clash while South Bunbury will face Eaton on the Monday.
