Football: Battle of the big birds to the Pies

Busselton 17.6 (108) def Augusta-Margaret River 10.13 (73)

In one of the most keenly anticipated southern derbies of recent years, Busselton went a long way to securing third spot and the vital double chance when they finished over the top of their southern rivals Augusta-Margaret River at Sir Stewart Bovell Park on Saturday night.

Led by a scintillating five goal haul from Daniel McGinlay, the Magpies took the lead early in the second quarter and held the Hawks at arms length for most of the night, before kicking the final four goals of the match in a five-minute burst towards the end of the final term.

So much was at stake in this match, with a victory drawing the Hawks level on points with Busselton, the two sides danced around each other in the first stanza, flicking out tentative jabs while neither side was able to land body blows.

Busselton were running hard when in possession to create chances in an open forward line, while for the Hawks, Tim Noakes and Josh Morgan were also creating problems up forward.

Busselton shot out of the blocks in the second term, and it was McGinlay who set the game alight with two goals in the first minute.

When he kicked his third for the quarter on the run from 50m, the home side had a three goal lead and were threatening to run away with the match and they went into the long break on a high and with a 13-point lead.

Hawks captain-coach Luke Norman ended his night with a calf muscle injury in the first quarter, and with the prolific Ben Noakes clearly hampered by a hamstring strain, and young runners Tom Uhd and Jacob Payne rolling ankles, the Hawks were lacking pace.

They also didn’t help their cause with ill-discipline, having two players yellow carded and giving away two goals from relay frees or 50 metre penalties.

Busselton extended their lead to four goals with the first two goals of the third term, but the Hawks struck back with three of the last four goals of the quarter.

After trading early goals, the Hawks had a chance to cut the margin back to one straight kick with Justin Simmonds lining up from 40m following a strong grab.

However, before he had the chance to take his kick, the kick was reversed due to an off the ball indiscretion by the Hawks and the ball was spirited away to the end of the field for Busselton to score.

It was the final turning point of the match, with the home side kicking the last four goals of the match to record a deserved win.