Cowaramup Bulls Gold and Hawks Red 11s met for the second time this year at Cowaramup Oval on Saturday.
It was a game that had been much anticipated after their extremely hard-fought contest earlier in the season, and the match lived up to the hype.
When they last played, Hawks Red came out on top, and the Bulls players were determined from the beginning and got off to a much better start with the wind.
Mitch Jolliffe scored the opening goal of the game after a great intercept in front of goal, and Avion Packer followed that with a big left foot running goal just before quarter time.
But, much like the last time they played, momentum shifts were the name of the game. In the second quarter, Hawks Red hit top form, powered by the super-quick skills of Leroy Anderson and Andy Noble through the centre, and all of that team's fleet-footed running brigade.
The Red team made the most of their dominance to impact the scoreboard, and it was only several great defensive efforts by Kai Luttrell and Kai Flynn that kept Hawks Red from piling on the goals.
Hawks Red also had the best of the third quarter and would have had their noses in front at three-quarter time.
While the wet weather and wind made executing skills tricky, Cowaramup Bulls seemed to hold their marks better in the final quarter, and again the momentum shifted. Gilbert Fokkema kicked truly for Bulls and a late mark and goal by Mackenzie Weeks made the final score too close to call. Our best guess is a draw! Coaches awards for Bulls went to Alex, Kai and Mitch.
In the earlier 9s game Hawks Red combined beautifully to pile on the pressure. Jace Reynolds did some good work across half back for Bulls, and Ace Flynn ran all day and tried hard. Coaches awards to Jake, Harry, Rocco and Xavier.