SWFL: Bunbury and Busselton set to face off in clashes with big implications for league and women’s ladders

Bunbury and Busselton will face off in a pair of South West Football League clashes at Payne Park on Sunday, which will have significant implications on the upper reaches of the league and women’s ladders. The Magpies currently own top spot on the league table with nine wins from their 10 games, ahead of the third-placed Bulldogs, who have played one game less than both the Magpies and second-placed South Bunbury but have suffered only one loss themselves. The reverse fixture between the sides in round four at Sir Stewart Bovell Park saw Bunbury hand Busselton their only loss of the season, holding on to win a three-point thriller. In the women’s competition, the reigning premiers Bunbury have made an imposing start to the 2025 season, conceding only 61 points through their seven consecutive victories to sit atop the ladder with an imposing percentage of 586.89. The third-placed Magpies, who have a 6-2 win-loss record, will be out to snap a three-game losing streak to Bunbury, which includes last season’s grand final and their clash earlier this season. On Saturday, South Bunbury will play at their home of Hands Oval for the first time in more than a month when they take on Dunsborough. The Tigers last played at the venue against Eaton in round seven and had a bye the following week but were then forced to play three consecutive away games as the ground underwent preparations for the historic AFL game between North Melbourne and West Coast Eagles. In the round’s other games, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault will play Collie at Brunswick Oval and Carey Park will come up against Augusta-Margaret River at Kelly Park on Sunday, after Harvey Bulls host Donnybrook at Harvey Recreation Ground on Saturday. Donnybrook will be coming off a big win after outlasting a spirited Eaton outfit at Glen Huon Reserve on Sunday by 46 points. A tough day looked to be in the offing for the Boomers when they conceded a run of nine unanswered goals through the first, second and third quarters, only for small forward Jacob Pickett to spark them to life with a run of four majors of his own in the third term. Having had what was a sizeable lead significantly trimmed back, the visitors were able to respond with a four-goals to two final term to ensure they came out 13.14 (92) to 7.4 (46) victors. Eaton, as well as the women’s sides of Harvey Bulls, Donnybrook, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault, and Carey Park, have a bye.