It was another heartbreaker for the Augusta Margaret River Hawks League side this weekend as they clashed with an in-form Bunbury Bulldogs at Gloucester Park on Sunday.
Despite a passionate and supportive home crowd cheering them on, the Hawks failed to capitalise on the stunning display shown two rounds prior against South Bunbury and suffered their second loss in as many weeks.
Bunbury coach Jamie Nani said his team was happy to come away with a win in Margaret River, which he said was a notoriously tough contest for his team.
“We always say when we go down to Margaret River that we start two or three goals behind, so our aim in the first quarter was to go out hard and really stamp our name on things early,” he said.
The Bulldogs did just that, kicking five goals to the Hawks’ two in the first quarter before Augusta Margaret River found some legs in the second term.
“I think the Hawks second quarter was outstanding,” the Bunbury coach said of the effort.
“They attacked that quarter the way we did the first, and it showed.”
The scoreboard began to balance as Augusta Margaret River kicked another three in the second quarter, bringing the half time difference to just seven points for the visitors.
The Hawks managed to keep Bunbury completely scoreless in the second, laying down a challenge for the remainder of the game as the teams headed into the changerooms for the major break.
We always say when we go down to Margaret River that we start two or three goals behind, so our aim in the first quarter was to go out hard and really stamp our name on things early.
- Bulldogs Coach Jamie Nani
By the end of the third quarter the Bulldogs had begun to pull away, another four goals adding to their tally while the Hawks stayed close with two of their own.
The Bunbury kicking machine did not let up in the final quarter, another three goals for the visitors to match the three Hawks goals to block the home side from edging close as the siren loomed.
Coach Nani said the Bulldogs’ focus was on finishing in the top three, and that with the current position at third on the ladder, would look to maintain their form.
“I think we have a good chance to do what we’ve set out to do this year, if we can continue what we have achieved so far and keep the energy up for the rest of the season there’s a great shot at the finals for us.”
“We are just happy to collect the points for the win at this stage, it was a tight game which in the end I think we got over the line with thanks to sustained energy and consistency.”
Final Scores Augusta Margaret River Hawks 9.7-61 to Bunbury Bulldogs 12.11-83.
AMR Goal kickers: Max Paterson (2) Jacob Oakes (2), Seve Grantis (2), Jacob Payne, Jack McMahon, Jackson Ellis.
Best on ground: Jacob Payne, James Price, Seve Grantis, Cam Melvin, Mitch Lynn, Steven Payne
Bunbury Goal kickers: Braiden McMullen (4), Brett Peake (4), Asten Preedy, Matthew Martin, Aidan Clarke, Patrick Farrant.
Best on ground: Blair Della Franca, Patrick Farrant , Travis Justins, Braiden McMullen, Jordan Falco, Cddey Hay.