It was a tough loss for the Busselton Magpies, the team played a strong game, but a goal-less first quarter was too hard to come back from HBL’s seven goal lead.
At first it looked like it could have been another wipeout for the Magpies, the team struggled to keep the ball inside their forward 50 and were outplayed by HBL who dominated the ball in the first quarter.
The Magpies tried hard to maintain possession and missed several shots at goal, but HBL proved too strong and were able to get the ball back inside their forward 50 with ease.
HBL were on fire during a hard and fast first quarter kicking goal-after-goal to take the lead 7.4 (46) to Busselton’s 0.2 (2).
The Magpies weren’t going to let HBL get away with an easy win and came out strong in the second quarter dominating the game and maintaining the ball inside their forward 50.
After a couple of failed attempts for a goal the Magpies were rewarded with their first major of the game taking them to 1.4 (10) points on the scoreboard.
A clever mark by James Daykin took the Magpies straight back into their forward 50, but HBL got possession and booted the ball back to their 50.
Heavy defence by Busselton saw HBL miss a shot at goal and the Lions struggled to kick between the posts after their successful first quarter.
Strong play by the Magpies saw them get their second goal taking them 2.4 (16) and while HBL fought back, Busselton were dominant and kept the ball inside their forward 50.
HBL retaliated but so did the Magpies and a free kick outside the goal posts saw them land their third goal for the game and quickly gain pace on the top of the ladder team.
Busselton’s hard work and determination paid off and they were rewarded with two more goals before the end of the second quarter taking them to 5.5 (35) at half time against the Lion’s 7.5 (47).
Going into the second half of the match, HBL were not going to let the Magpies get any closer on the scoreboard and took possession of the ball driving it back into their forward line.
Magpies still determined tried to get the ball back to their end but struggled to maintain possession inside their forward 50.
A lucky mark by Regan Bell outside of the Lion’s goal post stopped them from scoring but it did not stop HBL from kicking another successful goal taking them to 8.5 (53).
The Magpies, desperate for a win, managed to get the ball back inside their forward line and strong play saw them kick their sixth goal for the game and backed it up with another one immediately after the ruck, taking them to 7.5 (47).
The Lions were always one step ahead of the home side and kicked their ninth goal for the game pushing their score more out of reach for Busselton to get ahead.
The Magpies struggled to maintain possession with the big mighty boots of HBL kicking the ball outside their forward 50 anytime they had a shot at goal.
HBL led 10.6 (66) ahead of Busselton’s 7.5 (47) going into the last quarter.
A determined Busselton seemed dominant at the start of the last quarter but a missed opportunity for a much needed goal resulted in a point.
A spooked HBL were not going to give up their winning streak and took the ball back inside their forward 50 and were successful in scoring another goal. Busselton were not going to give up that easily and were able to kick their eighth goal for the game taking them to 8.5 (53) but HBL struck back.
The Lions backed a goal with another one after Ryan McKinlay took a mark directly in front of the goal posts. The game ended with the Magpies 9.7 (61) to the Lions 15.6 (96). The score was not indicative of how Busselton played but unfortunately the Lions showed why they are number one on the ladder.
