SWFL 2022: Carey Park and Eaton Boomers prepare for another classic after two close encounters last season

If Carey Park and Eaton’s two showdowns from last year are anything to go by, fans are set for a thriller between two SWFL sides on the rise at Kelly Park on Sunday. The Panthers got the best of the Boomers in 2021, winning by seven and 14 points in their two match-ups last season, but Eaton had their chances to win both games. The Boomers actually recorded more shots on goal than the Panthers, but inaccurate kicking saw them lose 9.6 (60) 7.11 (53) in round two and 11.8 (74) to 8.12 (60) in round 11. Panthers coach Brett Maguire said he expected nothing short of a classic when they meet on the weekend. “For the last couple of years we have been two sides who are evenly matched in terms of where we are on the ladder,” he said. “We are two clubs who have had a similar timeline, we have had some success and we have had some tough times. “I think that at the moment the sides are evenly matched in their style of play and playing groups, and that leads to good, tough and even game.” A lot has changed since last season, with the Boomers currently in fourth on the ladder after they took out last year’s wooden spoon. Maguire said Eaton were impressive on the two occasions he has watched them this year, and said they were a hardworking team who “had a fair crack”. “Ultimately, that has made them very competitive against some of the top sides, so they are obviously doing a lot right,” he said. “We would be silly to go in expecting it to be an easy game.” The Carey Park coach believes his side are also on the rise, having lost only to the top three sides in Bunbury, Augusta-Margaret River and South Bunbury. The Panthers were within 10 points of the stacked Tigers at three-quarter-time at the weekend before being torn apart by the home side in the final term. Maguire said he hoped his team would take confidence from being able to take it up to South Bunbury. “In the past we have not been able to match it with the top sides, so it was pleasing,” he said. “We were challenged early in the first half and found a way to hang in and hang tough. “I think a bit of out experience and know-how to get a result was exposed a little bit. “We are starting to slowly believe we can mix it with the top end, so now it is just a matter of doing it week-in, week-out.”