Plenty at stake for Pies and Panthers

It is often said that football can be a game of agony and ecstasy — two emotions felt by Busselton and Carey Park respectively last weekend.

Both sides meet on Saturday afternoon at Sir Stewart Bovell Park with plenty at stake.

The Pies did almost everything right against the Hawks, yet were denied by a late goal from Tom McDonald.

Trailing the Bulls for lengthy periods, the Panthers were forced to dig deep to get the four points, with the experience of Viv Blurton and Rory O’Brien telling in the closing stages.

With a finals berth at stake, the Panthers know that they must keep winning in order to keep their aspirations alive.

At 2-5, the Pies appear to be up against a finals berth, however for them to have any chance, they must start peeling off consecutive wins.

John Baggetta’s unbeaten Lions can take another significant stride towards September when they travel to an out-of-sorts South Bunbury at Hands Oval.

The Lions have been in stellar form so far in 2019, although they were forced to work hard for the points against the Collie Eagles.

Despite the close call, Baggetta said he was pleased with how his men executed under pressure and was confident they would continue to play a solid brand of football.

Although it was a tough afternoon at Payne Park for the Tigers, they showed several positive signs under new coach Stephen Bilcich.

Bilcich is under no illusions about the task in front of him and said he is committed to building a strong game plan.

In somewhat of a surprise to the majority of the SWFL community, reigning premiers Donnybrook found themselves outside of the top five by the end of round seven.

The reigning premiers travel to Harvey on Sunday and know they must beat the Bulls in order to keep up with those above them on the table.

The Dons, who have been playing some good football, stuck with the Boomers for long periods at Glen Huon Reserve, but were unable to go with them in the final quarter.

Although defeated, Dons big man Nicholas Martin continued his stellar run of form and should play a pivotal role against a Harvey Bulls side that did everything but win against Carey Park.

Despite plentiful possession, physicality and heart, Craig Nicholls’ men had no victory to show for their outstanding effort.