Bunbury leaped back into the top five after recording a workmanlike 15.6 (96) to 12.8 (80) win over a decimated Augusta-Margaret River on Sunday at Payne Park.

On a day when the Bulldogs faithful celebrated the careers of Brad Blake (200 games) and Matt Partridge (150), Jamie Nani’s side also added to the memorable occasion.

Following a brief challenge by the reigning premiers early in the second term, lethal Bunbury youngster Peter Woods turned the game upside down.

With breath-taking skills and an insatiable desire to spur his side on, the Hawks were powerless to stop Woods, who booted two goals in five minutes to put the home side well on top.

The initial foundations laid down by the Bunbury youngster were followed through by his teammates, who piled on a further four goals to put the Hawks in a spot of bother at half-time.

However, even with 11 prime movers unavailable for duty, Matt Jamieson backed his men in to get themselves back in the contest.

Five third-quarter goals had Hawks supporters daring to dream in the outer, as hopes of the ultimate come-from-behind win surfaced like a beacon on Koombana Bay.

In the three-quarter time huddle, Nani urged the Bulldogs to revert back to what worked well for them in the first half, as the opportunity to reward Blake and Partridge for their years of service was staring them in the face.

The Bulldogs’ response was swift — three goals in the opening eight minutes which put Augusta-Margaret River out of business thereafter.

During Bunbury’s post-game awards presentation, club president Tom Busher praised Blake and Partridge for their contribution to the Bulldogs, reminding the room how both men started their careers when losses were frequent and good times were seemingly a light at the end of a long tunnel.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Harvey Bulls spearhead Brad Holmes booted his 1000th career goal in league football during his side’s 9.8 (62) to 7.8 (50) home win over the Dunsborough Sharks, while Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault defeated Collie Eagles 13.8 (86) to 5.11 (41) up the hill in Matt Blackford’s 250th game for the Eagles.

A day earlier, a goal after the siren from Josh Bowe propelled Eaton to a stirring win, 12.9 (81) to 11.10 (76) over Carey Park at Glen Huon Reserve, while South Bunbury outlasted Donnybrook 14.4 (88) to 10.7 (67) at VC Mitchell Park.