Lions storm home to down Bulldogs

Harvey-Brunwick-Leschenault produced arguably their best last quarter of the season to defeat Bunbury by 22 points at Payne Park on Sunday.

The Lions came from 17 points down at three-quarter time to record the 14.10 (94) to 10.12 (72) triumph — their fifth win of the year.

It took until the six-minute mark of the final term for HBL to hit the front through skilful goalsneak Luke Skehan and they never looked back to hand Bunbury their third consecutive defeat.

In more bad news for the Bulldogs, ruckman Jacob Williams suffered a suspected hamstring injury.

Skehan was outstanding for the visitors with five majors while WAFL premiership utility Scott Delmenico, half-forward Lukas Teague and skipper David Newman all played a part in the Lions’ resurgence.

Hayward Medallist Jesse Gribble was Bunbury’s best and dominated through the centre of the ground.

His brother Trent was also impressive while Levi Rohan helped fill the void left by influential big man Jordan Adamson-Holmes.

Young utility Brad Blake showed he will be a player of the future and found plenty of the ball.

The home side were out of the blocks quickly, scoring the opening three majors of the game.

HBL got within a goal with two majors in quick succession, but the Bulldogs finished the quarter the way they started to open up a 23-point lead at the first change.

It was a far improved effort from the visitors in the second quarter, with forwards Teague and Shannon Sabourne beginning to have an impact as their side reduced to margin to 16 points at half-time.

The third term was a low-scoring arm wrestle with neither side putting their stamp on the match and 17 points separated the two sides at the final change.

The visitors were off to the perfect start in the last quarter thanks to sensational long-range goal from youngster Ty Armitage.

It was the first of five majors on the trot for HBL, with skipper David Newman slo t ting one through from 40m to stretch the margin out to 14 points midway through the final term.

David Butler’s effort on the run gave Bunbury hope but when Chris Strano kicked his second goal for the term, Bunbury’s fate was sealed.