SWFL 2023: Bragging rights on the line in Busselton Toyota Cup between Magpies and Hawks

At 5-5 heading into Sunday’s mouth-watering derby against Busselton at Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Augusta-Margaret River aren’t where they’d like to be as a team. Hawks coach Matt Jamieson is well aware of this, however he believes his side can turn things around. “We will be pretty clear on what it will take to win the game,” he said. “I think it’s pretty evident for people now that we’re not at our best in terms of personnel. However, it’s given some guys an opportunity to get a taste of senior footy. “Like we said on the weekend — it was probably our worst performance in terms of the 10-goal loss, but it probably didn’t reflect certain periods of the game. “Some of our key indicators were OK, but there was a lack of experience and height up front and down back, which enabled Donnybrook to control the game for long periods.” Aside from victory, Jamieson and his seasoned leaders — Simon Moore, Stevie Payne, Lincoln Adams and Garry Moss — are keen for one significant to reign supreme against the Magpies and beyond. “We have got to enable the next wave of guys getting opportunities to feel comfortable out on the ground — so they don’t feel pressure, can play on instinct at times, along with doing their role for the team,” Jamieson said. “The boys will have a big say on that, as we will focus pretty hard on it over the next month on the track.” His side may sit 10-0 on top of the SWFL ladder, however Magpies coach Daniel Delaney expects the Hawks to fire from the opening bounce. “I like their list,” he said. “You don’t win back to back premierships without being a quality club. We won’t be taking anything lightly against AMR that’s for sure. “Every game is a final from now on, there’s no doubt about it, as it will determine where we finish.” Elsewhere on Sunday, Bunbury and Carey Park lock horns at Payne Park for the prestigious Nani Family Cup, a piece of silverware the Bulldogs have retained since 2015, while South Bunbury host the bottom-placed Collie Eagles at Hands Oval. On Saturday, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault and the Harvey Bulls square off for the Sam Strano Cup (formerly known as the Bottlemart Cup) at Brunswick Oval, along with Eaton doing battle with Donnybrook at Glen Huon Reserve.