SWFL 2022: Two goals in time-on of final quarter propels Bunbury to Peter Betti Cup triumph

After leaving the light on for Donnybrook during the middle stages of Sunday’s gritty Peter Betti Cup clash at Payne Park, Bunbury decided the Dons had overstayed their visit and needed to head home.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs faithful, this decision occurred at the 21-minute mark of the final term, with two goals in time-on ensuring the home side prevailed 10.13 (73) to 10.7 (67).

And the player who kicked the sealer was none other than former league skipper Brad Blake — who played his first league game this season following a hip injury.

At half-time of the women’s game, observant Bulldogs supporters noticed Blake warming up with his teammates, with the majority having a spring in their step from that moment on.

This early optimism filtered through to Bunbury players, who peppered their forward line in the opening term — however had only 2.6 to show for all of their hard work.

The Dons, who knew a victory in enemy territory would do wonders for their top-five hopes, were forced to hang tough at times during the second and third terms — however they were always able to string a few goals together which kept them in the contest.

Then in the final quarter, with light fading and emotion reaching fever-pitch, things began to click for Donnybrook.

Taking the game on and able to generate deep forward entries, the Dons booted three goals in the opening eight minutes, with the pick of the goals an electric snap from veteran Shane Cristaldi, which produced a roar of endorsement from everyone wearing navy blue and white.

Cristaldi’s goal put the Dons within one point of the Bulldogs, before a quick-thinking Beau Luzi replied to help the Bulldogs regain a tidy seven-point buffer.

However the Dons were not finished, with a goal at the 20-minute mark from Archer Coates giving his side their first lead of the match, which was fitting at the time, given their unrelenting pressure.

Aware time was running out, the Bulldogs found an extra gear in the dying minutes, with their champions — led by Jesse Gribble, Patrick Farrant and Blake — able to make a difference when it was needed.