SWFL 2023: Deja vu as Busselton knock off reigning premiers Augusta-Margaret River for Busselton Toyota Cup

A sense of deja vu fell over Gloucester Park as Busselton kicked off their 2023 SWFL season by knocking off reigning premiers Augusta-Margaret River to win the first Busselton Toyota Cup match.

Augusta-Margaret River and Busselton went head to head under the lights during the opening round of the SWFL season on Saturday.

Both sides were firing out the gate, putting plenty of pressure on each other while trying to build up an early lead.

While the Hawks managed the first goal of the night, Busselton managed to find a quick response with a goal of their own.

In the midst of the high pressure contest, scoring opportunities hit a lull with Busselton managing to pull themselves in front through a flurry of minor scores before their second major of the night brought the margin up to 11 points by quarter time.

Not wanting to give up easily, the Hawks amped up the pressure early on in the second term, with Matthew Bannister managing to break through with a goal to shave the margin down to just five points.

But just as the Hawks thought they were back in close contention, Busselton pulled back in front with a goal via Jaxon East.

As the contest reached a stalemate, both sides brought a lot of physicality with plenty of hard tackles laid and bodies flying through the air in contests.

As Beau Morgan managed to bring the Hawks back in close contention once again, Busselton’s Kester Decke responded late to keep the Magpies in front 4.7 (31) to 3.5 (23) at half-time.

Following the main break, the high-pressure contest continued with Busselton off to a favourable start with an early goal.

While the Hawks managed to respond with a major of their own, Busselton’s Jon Meadmore stepped up and laid some strong tackles with many of his teammates following suit at the Hawks’ scoring end.

The margin was ultimately shaved down to its lowest point of the game at just two points before the Magpies started taking control with successive goals from Jackson Arbon and Brodie Howell.

In the midst of plenty of back and forth, along with a little bit of push and shove between rivals, the Magpies held on to lead by a single goal at the final change.

As Busselton looked to swoop in on the win during the final term, Augusta-Margaret River found themselves struggling to get in front of goal.

Despite the Hawks managing to inch their way back to a single-digit deficit, Busselton scored a late goal from Beau Chinnery, securing the win 9.12 (66) to 7.11 (53).

Busselton skipper and 150-gamer Ethan Bowman was named the best on ground for the match, winning himself the game ball before being lifted off the ground alongside 100-gamer Mitch Tenardi.

Jake Dugan was also named among Busselton’s best for a strong performance in the backline, along with East, who managed three goals for the night, and Liam Creighton.

Morgan was the sole multiple goal-kicker for the Hawks with four majors, Tom Shanahan was impressive on debut in the green and gold, while the likes of two-time Hayward medallist Simon Moore and James Purvis were also named among the Hawks’ best.