Busselton knocked out

The Eaton Boomers are just one win away from the grand final after defeating Busselton by 41 points in terrible conditions at Payne Park on Sunday.

With rain falling most of the day the surface of the oval turned into a sea of mud and water and the Boomers used their superior wet weathers skills to win 10.11 (71) to 4.6 (30).

One of the biggest stories of the day came before the first bounce with power full forward Jake Ferrier ruled out for the Boomers through injury, meaning former Magpie Leigh Kelly became Eaton’s main target up front.

But, for the second week in a row, Kelly started the game in the ruck, with first choice ruckman Brendon Page starting at full forward along with a host of smaller Boomers.

With the wet conditions hampering the skill level of the game, Busselton were unable to produce the run and carry game they employed last weekend to defeat Carey Park.

Both teams had their fair share of the ball but it was Eaton who used it better across the four quarters to come away with the win.

The Boomers’ attack was led by half-backs Chris Atthowe and Kane Bloxsidge, who at times looked like they were playing in different conditions to the rest of the players on the ground as they hit targets with precision to drive their side forward.

Eaton’s Josh Bowe played fearlessly for the favourites, attacking through the middle throughout and often taking the game head-on to inspire the rest of the midfield contingent.

The Magpies arguably had the better of the second and third quarters but were unable to get reward for effort on the scoreboard, kicking 2.5 for the two periods.

Captain Dan McGinlay had a final to remember, playing extraordinarily for the entire game and trying his hardest at the start of the last quarter to will his team into next weekend.

Nathan Bradbury also continued his fantastic finals series, looking a class above most throughout the game and making sure Busselton did not lower its colours without a fight.

Boomer Kelly had a day to forget, failing in front of goals numerous times to kick just three behinds and Eaton will hope that proven goal kicker Ferrier is fit for next weekend’s preliminary final with Bunbury.

The Boomers went into the last change with a 29-point lead and could have won by more in a dominant fourth quarter but could manage only 1.7 to finish the game.

The Boomers will take confidence going into next weekend’s clash while Busselton will rue missed opportunities in what could have been one of the upsets of the season.

Scoreboard

Eaton Boomers 4.4 6.4 9.4 10.11 71 def Busselton 2.0 2.3 4.5 4.6 30

Goals:

BOOMERS- Ja. Cormack, M. Battaglia, K. Butcher, C. Atthowe, J. Bowe, Jy. Cormack, D. King, R.Lilly, B. Page, K. Bloxsidge.

MAGPIES - J. Eastwell, A. Fraser, N. Bradbury, T. Iaonnou.

Best:

BOOMERS- C.Atthowe, J. Bowe, K. Bloxsidge, M. Battaglia, K. Butcher, W. Oelsnik. MAGPIES - D. McGinlay, N. Bradbury, T. Iaonnou, J. Arbon, K. Hams, M. Hislop.

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