SWNFL 2023: Reigning premiers Busselton Magpies swoop over returning Augusta-Margaret River Hawks

Reigning premiers Busselton Magpies have not missed a beat since the conclusion of the 2022 South West Netball Football League season, starting their 2023 campaign with a comprehensive 18-goal win over the returning Augusta-Margaret River.

The 2023 SWNFL season kicked off over the weekend, with Busselton travelling down the South West Highway to take on the Hawks on Saturday.

While the Hawks were firing from the first centre pass with a few early goals, Busselton fought back just as quickly to take the lead.

As the Hawks looked to swarm the Magpies in defence, Busselton opted for long passes to drive the ball down the court and build up a lead with goals from Lisa Millman and Jade Renkluaf.

Busselton backed up their efforts with strong defence, with Jenelle Pagan making some good interceptions and Sophie McFarland really putting the pressure on the Hawks’ shooters.

Both sides soon began scrambling for the ball as the pace began to pick up, but Busselton held on to lead 13-7 at quarter-time.

The rapid pace continued into the second term, with a few wayward passes causing a number of early turnovers.

Despite an early stalemate, Renkluaf slotted a goal to break the almost three-minute dry spell.

As the Magpies looked to extend their lead, the Hawks amped up the pressure with rebounds by defender Annabel Angland.

However, the Hawks soon found themselves overwhelmed as Busselton began putting their foot down to lead 26-11 at half-time.

Following the main break, Augusta-Margaret River returned to the court determined not to give up easily, quickly driving the ball down the court.

While Tegan Polain and Amy Smith managed some good feeds into shooters Kate O’Leary and Georgia Ride, Augusta-Margaret River found themselves at a wall with the defensive combination of Pagan and Rebekah Cook.

The two defenders proved a deadly combination in the defensive third and helped Busselton extend their advantage to lead 41-20 at the final change.

While the Hawks had a fast start to the final term with an interception off a Busselton centre pass, the Magpies showed them who was boss and sealed the win 51-33.

In other matches, Bunbury defeated Carey Park 54-36 at the South West Sports Centre, while the Eaton Boomers proved too good against the returning Donnybrook Blackwood Ravens, holding them off 55-48 at the Bridgetown Leisure Centre.