SWFL Match Report: Bunbury v Donnybrook

An inspired Bunbury produced the upset of the season in outclassing Donnybrook by 40 points at Payne Park on Sunday.

Liam McGuire, in his first South West Football League game of the year, proved the difference - kicking six goals in the Bulldogs' Peter Betti Cup win, 14.12 (96) to 7.14 (56).

The Dons' loss to the competition's bottom side could have long-term ramifications. Chris Sheehan did not return from a knee injury in the opening minutes and Curtis Guglielmana was helped from the ground after suffering a serious-looking ankle injury late.

Bunbury belied both the ladder and form guide in leading for most of the game and withstanding long periods of pressure.

The Bulldogs' defence, marshalled by captain Codey Hay, played with energy and restricted the Dons' ability to kick easy goals.

McGuire kicked three goals for the Bulldogs in each of the second and fourth quarters to make the Dons pay for not taking their chances. Several of Bunbury's young stars also came into their own, including Xavier Williamson - who kicked two first-quarter goals - Harry Creasey, Connor Mahony and Connor Walker.

Jason Brennan was lively up forward for Donnybrook and set up two first-quarter goals for his team but Bunbury hit back strongly, booting the last three majors of the term to lead by 14 at quarter time.

Donnybrook dominated much of the second quarter but kicked only five behinds, while McGuire took advantage of opportunities to kick the only three goals of the term and extend Bunbury's lead to 31.

Josh Buckley kicked the first goal of the third term to snap a run of nine straight Donnybrook behinds before Brennan added another to further narrow the gap.

Brad Blake crumbed a goal from a tight angle to steady the game for Bunbury, which meant Donnybrook could only reduce the margin by nine points despite another strong quarter.

Goals to Robbie Cross and Luke Murphy in the opening minutes of the final term brought the visitors back into the game but Bunbury showed grit to fight back again.

Two more goals to McGuire cancelled out Donnybrook's efforts before Tyler Bennell added another.

Guglielmana's injury, plus late yellow cards to Hayden King and Luke Dale for a scuffle, meant the Dons finished without any available interchange players.

Bunbury took advantage of that to inflate the margin, with McGuire fittingly adding his sixth in the final seconds.