Boomers in an upset

Eaton Boomers coach Brett Maguire was a happy man come late afternoon at Glen Huon Reserve on Sunday after his depleted team stormed from behind to overrun reigning South West Football League premiers Bunbury 15.9 (99) to 12.10 (82) in an early season shock.

Reporting wholesale player losses including “King Boomer” Chris Atthowe and premiership players Jace Cormack Tyler Patteron, Michael Russell and Michael Battaglia, Maguire bravely commented a few weeks back, “This is a rebuilding year for us.

“We have moved on. We cannot get lost in what we haven’t got.”

And after a 5.3 (33) to 1.3 (9) first quarter walloping “knowing” heads were nodding – who would believe the Boomers would be competitive against the likes of former fairest and best Travis Gray, dual Hayward Medallist Jesse Gribble and big gun Brett Peake.

However with a couple of young Boomers stepping up, punters began to take notice as Eaton closed the gap from 33 points to just 12 points with Bunbury’s Mark Longbottom strong across the middle in turning back the Boomers’ attacks.

The Bulldogs opened the gap back to four goals before a couple of late majors by Matt Smith and Michael Thompson kept the Boomers in touch with lanky duo Josh Branchi and Brendan Page putting in the big strides.

Then suddenly it happened.

Burly Brandon Jetta, renowned for his safe hands used them to snatch the initiative and a swag of scintillating marks in a majestic 10-minute blitz to add to his three goals with four fourth quarter majors.

Skipper Rohan Lilly kicked the goal of the day from an acute angle in the pocket to put the Boomers in front by four goals and boost their confidence .

Best for the Boomers were seven-goal hero Brandon Jetta, Graham Jetta, Heath Ryder and Branchi while Longbottom, Travis Justins, Zane Rigby and Jackson Oliver were standouts for Bunbury.