Lions lose a tight affair

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault dropped to third on the SWFL ladder following a stunning one-point loss to Busselton at Brunswick Oval on Saturday. Despite leading by 17 points at quarter time, the Lions appeared to lack their usual potency and were eventually run down by the Magpies, who refused to give an inch. Lions coach John Baggetta was extremely disappointed with his side’s out of character performance. “It was probably the worst game of football that I have ever been involved in as a coach,” he said. “Take nothing away from Busselton. “They applied themselves with effort throughout the day, but it (the game) was pretty much a non-event. “It was lacklustre, uninspiring and I said to the players after the game that they should be ashamed. “If I were a paying spectator, I would have asked for my $13 admission back.” Even prior to the start of the game, the Lions boss felt something was a little different as his side warmed up, but was adamant the Magpies were still the better side on the day. “At half-time, my exact words to them — and it was not worth yelling or screaming — that they were not going to win the game in the manner in which they may have thought. “But they just had to make sure that the next time they came back into the rooms, that they had their noses in front. “Then they could just have a shower and get out of there. It was a simple message at half-time because you could see — even though we were in front — the game was going nowhere and somebody had to win it.” Baggetta is confident that his men will bounce back against the Harvey Bulls on Saturday, as he felt the performance was unlikely to be replicated by such a talented group. “Like I said to the group, you do not just lose your ability overnight,” he said. With the victory, the Magpies remain in second spot and will host league leaders Bunbury at Sir Stewart Bovell Park on Sunday.