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Lions look to clinch a spot in the finals

Justin FrisSouth Western Times
Carey Park’s Beth Schilling outpoints Courtney Bayliss at a stoppage. Both the Panthers and Bulls can end opposition finals hopes on Sunday.
Camera IconCarey Park’s Beth Schilling outpoints Courtney Bayliss at a stoppage. Both the Panthers and Bulls can end opposition finals hopes on Sunday. Credit: Jack Gibellini

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault is in prime position to stamp its ticket into the 2019 finals series, with the Lions travelling to bottom-placed Carey Park on Sunday.

The Lions survived a pulsating clash against the Collie Eagles on Saturday, where they squeezed home by a point.

That victory means that Busselton, a side out of the top four for the first time this season, could miss the finals after a blistering start.

In order for the Magpies to have any chance, they must defeat the red-hot Harvey Bulls at Sir Stewart Bovell Park on Sunday and hope the Panthers do them a favour at Kelly Park.

Defeating the Bulls is an unenviable task at the best of times, considering the even spread of talent across their playing group.

Busselton’s form slump towards the end of the season has been puzzling, as they are more than capable of matching it with the competition’s elite.

With so much riding on the clash, younger Magpies players will need to follow the lead of senior players Rennie Sansom, Estelle Dragstra and Angela Williamson.

All of the Bulls’ threats will need to be checked closely, as allowing any of them time and space is purely courting disaster.

Although the Lions appear to be favourites on paper against the Panthers, Lions coach Tristan Maslin is a man who takes nothing for granted.

At Glen Huon Reserve on Saturday, South Bunbury will finalise its finals preparations when they take on the Eaton Boomers.

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