SWFL 2023: South Bunbury earn rematch against Busselton after beating Bunbury in reserves preliminary final

South Bunbury’s hiccup against Busselton in the second semifinal left their hopes of a reserves premiership hanging precariously. Fortunately for the Tigers, who went through the home-and-away season undefeated, they used their finals double chance to great effect, outlasting Bunbury 9.10 (64) to 9.1 (55) in Sunday’s reserves preliminary final at Kelly Park. In a high-octane contest, South were more calculated with the ball when it mattered, although the Bulldogs gave them a mighty fright in the dying minutes. Both sides went goal for goal during the first half, with the Tigers holding on to a six-point lead at the long break. Crucially, a late goal at the end of each quarter for the Bulldogs indicated they were in prime position to run out the game strongly against highly-fancied opponent. Despite quality defensive efforts from Max Bilcich, Liam Renton and Adam Mills, the Bulldogs momentarily lost their way early in the final quarter — with the Tigers motoring out to a 28-point lead at the 10-minute of the term courtesy of Guy Piggott, which appeared to have sealed the game. Defeat is never an option for Mark Docking’s Bulldogs, and heeding this mantra, they piled on three goals in six minutes to trim the margin to nine points. Although time looked to be their enemy, Bunbury had their chances in the final minutes, however, the endeavour was nullified by the no-nonsense Tigers, who well and truly earned their rematch against Busselton on Sunday at Payne Park.