Panthers end Bulldogs run

Four goals in time on in the third quarter set up Carey Park’s 19.10 (124) to 15.4 (94) upset win over the previously unbeaten Bunbury at Kelly Park on Sunday.

In a dour first half both teams kicked four goals with the breeze and two into it with the Panthers holding a narrow three point lead at the long break.

Panthers newcomers Reece Richardson and Jordan Aitken both had majors on the board while Arron Hill did not waste the opportunities that came his way with two handy goals.

Aidan Parker, who went into the game having kicked as many goals for Bunbury as he had for Subiaco (22), had three on the board ten minutes into the second term as the Bulldogs converted a 14-point deficit at quarter time into a five point lead.

However the Panthers bounced back off the back of standout play from ruckman Michael Robinson who gave his followers drive, resulting in majors to the clever Hill and promoted 2013 Reserves Player of the Year Michael McGarry who booted the first of his five for the day.

There was no sign of the avalanche of Carey Park goals to come as Bunbury goaled twice in the first four minutes of the second half to one by Hill.

A clever goal from McGarry and an inspiring 60m bomb from Panthers skipper Matt Martin fired up the home side as they took control of the midfield.

With reliable Bunbury defender Matt Cullen off the field Martin kicked three goals for the quarter which proved invaluable as the Panthers stretched the lead.

Then came the match winning blows as an accidental soccer to Jake Watts was followed by goals to Martin and to McGarry all in the space of two minutes for the Panthers to lead by 40 points at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs started the final term with a rush and a goal within 19 seconds but dangermen McGarry and Hill bounced straight back within a couple of minutes.

The game became a free flowing affair with goals raining down from both sides.

The Bulldogs added seven with Parker taking his tally to eight while Gribble added two to make it a three goal game but the Panthers kept adding a major here and there to secure a very valuable four points.

The result leaves Bunbury, South Bunbury and Eaton separated by just two points at the top of the South West Football League ladder and sets up an exciting race to the finals with all three sides set to play each other once more in the regular season.

Scoreboard

Carey Park 4.3 6.6 14.8 19.10 124 def Bunbury 2.1 6.3 8.4 15.4 94

Goals:

PANTHERS - M. McGarry 5, A. Hill 4, M. Martin 3, B. Lawler 2, D. Roche, R. Richardson, J. Watts, J.O’Mara, J. Aitken.

BULLDOGS – A. Parker 8, J. Gribble 3, S. Miles, R. Sheehan, C. Thomas, B. Blake.

Best:

PANTHERS – M. Robinson, M. McGarry, B. Lawler, V. Blurton, L. Omara, R. Hutchinson.

BULLDOGS – J.Gribble, S. Miles, A. Parker, L. Giblett, S. Miles, C. Lamonica.

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