SWFL 2022: 2021 runner-up Busselton to host finals drought-breakers Harvey Bulls in elimination final

The first final of the South West Football League for 2022 will be a match-up between a runner-up seeking redemption and a drought-breaking underdog looking to prove they are not there to make up the numbers.

Busselton will host the Harvey Bulls in the elimination final on Saturday afternoon at Bovell Park as both teams strive to keep their season alive.

For Busselton, the 2022 finals series provides them with a chance to redeem themselves after falling short last year.

The Magpies will be full of confidence and the knowledge they have the capacity to go deep into the finals after making the 2021 grand final from fourth on the ladder — the same position they finished this year.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are returning to the SWFL finals for the first time since 2017 when they fell five points short of eventual premiers Bunbury in the preliminary final.

Harvey finished eighth in 2021 and started the season with an ominous record of five losses and two wins before winning seven of their last 11 matches to finish in the top five.

The Bulls coincidently faced the Magpies in round 22 at Bovell Park and earned themselves a spot in the top five with a two-point win, 7.4 (46) to 6.8 (44).

Busselton were locked in fourth for large parts of the season but dropped three of their last four games to close out the year.

In their first clash of the year, Busselton convincingly beat Harvey on the road 10.14 (74) to 5.4 (34) with Liam Creighton kicking four.

The Magpies will host the Bulls at 3pm on Saturday with the winner to play the loser of Sunday’s match between South Bunbury and Bunbury.