OFA 2025: Hayward and Smallwood bag four each as Bulldogs clinch six-point victory to move game clear on top

Gnowangerup won a tight top-of-the-table battle with Jerramungup in round nine of the Ongerup Football Association’s league competition on Saturday.

Four goals apiece from Murray Hayward and Connor Smallwood ensured the Bulldogs remained in top spot ahead of their nearest rivals, taking the spoils in Gnowangerup 12.12 (84) to 12.6 (78).

Although the Bulldogs were never headed, they held just a one-point lead at quarter time after both sides had booted four majors.

They edged ahead by half-time to lead by six points, but the Eagles closed the gap to four points with a stubborn third quarter that kept the Bulldogs goalless.

Both sides let rip as the clock ticked in the last term, kicking five majors apiece but the Bulldogs added four behinds to the Eagles’ two as they claimed a six-point win to move four points clear on top spot.

Topping up the Bulldogs’ haul were Cody Harris, Tyler Caldwell, Timm House and Lewis Davis who each kicked a goal.

Dylan Williams kicked three for the Eagles and had help from Riley Holden, Toby Brown and Thomas Schmidt, with two each while Connor Hawkins, Brendan Lee and Alex Baum also got on score sheet with singles.

Smallwood, House, Marley Phillips and Bodean Morton were terrific for the home side while Hawkins, Lee, Ben Hislop and Tate Barrett were solid contributors for the Eagles.

In the other contest, Lake Grace-Pingrup showed Newdegate no mercy with a 124-point thrashing.

The Bombers won 22.19 (151) to 4.3 (27) in Lake Grace.

A red-hot start set up the dominance for the home side, with six goals in the first term and another six in the second.

The Lions trailed by 62 points at half-time and despite the best efforts of Matthew Dykes, Riley Bridger, Michael Hams and Hamish Medway the margin only grew with the visitors managing just 1.2 in the second half.