Martin can improve: Nani

BUNBURY coach Jamie Nani believes powerful forward Matt Martin can get even better, after he led the Bulldogs to victory in the Dale Alcock Homes South West Football League Pre-Season Carnival on Saturday.

The Bulldogs were the stars of the weekend, defeating Carey Park by 43 points and last year’s grand finalists, the Collie Eagles, by 23 points to finish as one of two undefeated sides of the competition.

Bunbury finished with a better percentage than the Harvey Bulls, who also won both their games at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

Martin dominated the two games, kicking 11 goals at Payne Park in an impressive display.

Nani said despite Martin being the stand-out forward over the past two seasons, there was still improvement in him.

“He is in his mid 20s and should start to really dominate footy,” Nani said.

Nani said the wins would give his players confidence heading into Round One, but did not read too much into the two victories.

“At the end of the day we did not field our full side and I am sure the other teams didn’t as well,” he said.

Nani said he was pleased with the younger players after an impressive performance.

“Aidan Clarke was very good,” he said.

“I was really happy with how the boys moved the football.”

Nani said the Bulldogs used three ruckmen throughout the two games and believed recruit Ryan Frost would be a handy inclusion.

At the Harvey Recreation Ground, the Bulls went through undefeated, starting the day with a 7.4 (46) to 4.4 (28) win over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault.

The Lions backed up straight away against the Eaton Boomers, kicking with exceptional accuracy to win 12.1 (73) to 7.4 (46), before the Bulls handed the Boomers a 5.7 (37) to 4.5 (29) defeat.

At VC Mitchell Park, Donnybrook, South Bunbury and Augusta-Margaret River shared honours, with each team winning one game each.

The Hawks defeated the hosts 6.3 (39) to 3.2 (20), before being thumped by South Bunbury 8.10 (58) to 2.1 (13). Donnybrook then finished the day with a 10.5 (65) to 4.3 (27) win over the Tigers.