SWFL Match Report: Busselton v Carey Park

In what many saw as a preview to this year's grand final, Busselton edged out Carey Park by five points in a thriller at Sir Stuart Bovell Park on Saturday.

So tight were the defences in the opening term that only a single behind was scored by each team, with the Panthers rolling through on the siren but unable to claim victory as the Magpies won 9.10 (64) to 8.11 (59).

Steve Cameron, who played a useful game for the Magpies, led smartly and goaled early in the second, while veteran Sam Shepherd strolled into the square for the second a minute later.

The Panthers steadied and Michael McMillan, finding good form in the second half of this season, goaled from a long way out for the Panthers' first major 10 minutes in. The Magpies looked as if they were about to break away, with Dan McGinlay and Chris Kane at their top and defenders Lance Lucas and Brad Kearney reading the ball well as the cornerstones.

Graham Jetta, Kieran King, Jake O'Mara and McMillan kept the Panthers well and truly in the game - with McMillan's second goal, from a free late in the quarter, leaving a six-point deficit at the long interval.

The Magpies dominated the third quarter, booting five goals to lead by four goals at the final change.

Brent Hall showed his strength with two goals.

And Adam Booth continued his fine form of recent weeks, with his disposals always on target.

Highlight of the quarter was when he had a mark on the wing next to the Busselton dugout and was told to go for Hall, who was in the square. Booth kicked long and Hall led strongly, marked and goaled.

As Nathan Bradbury marked over a defender and stretched the lead to 29 points, there was no sign of the drama to come.

The Panthers applied plenty of pressure while the Magpies were missing the hard-working Kane, off with a leg injury. Points followed before Clinton Garlett goaled to keep the Panthers alive.

Other weekend results put Busselton on top of the ladder and Panthers third- both look well-placed to play off in September.