Magpies inch ahead of Lions to claim victory in Anzac round clash

The Busselton Magpies have ended their losing streak, beating the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Lions in the Anzac round clash at Sir Stuart Bovell Park on Saturday night.

The Magpies produced a 12.6 (78) to 10.5 (65) win over the Lions in a back and forth battle of the ball that had both teams working to the final siren.

The black and whites were led to victory by Beau Chinnery, who kicked six of side’s 12 majors for the night, along with Nathan Arbon who contributed another three goals.

Head coach Daniel Delaney said he was proud of the team’s effort, despite making 10 changes to the squad.

“We’ve got guys in Perth, some at a wedding and injuries and so we’ve brought in three young guys for their first league game so it’s good to see the depths of the side,” he said.

“It’s not often you have to make that many changes but it was a real gritty win and it’s good to get back on the winners’ list.”

Busselton was quick to get ahead in the first term, with back-to-back goals granting them a healthy opening lead but a quick snap from Lion’s top scorer Jarrod Humphries proved HBL we up for the fight.

The Lions often found themselves scrambling for the ball while their opponent’s clean and concise ball movement allowed them to produce a 12-point lead coming into the first break.

The second quarter featured heavily in the Magpies forward half, but a late goal from Humphries assured the Lions were not giving up, maintaining the 12-point difference at the main break.

Things geared up in the third term when the Lions came bursting on to the field with a speedy and unanswered three goals to see them take the lead for the first time all day.

The action remained in the Lions’ den for the majority of the term as they searched for their first win of 2022, but the Magpies were sure to swoop in and reclaim power with three goals.

Both sides appeared to have tired when taking on the final quarter, as play became noticeably more sloppy on all fronts. The Lions’ frustration then came to a head when Sebastian Dixon was sent off the field with a yellow card.

Nonetheless, the sides continued to go back and forth in a scoring frenzy, HBL producing another two goals in hopes to get ahead but the black and whites answered back with two of their own to seal the win.

Busselton Magpies

4.1

7.3

10.4

12.6

78

Harv-Bruns-Lesch Lions

2.1

5.3

8.3

10.5

65