Damian Lee (left) and Ollie Ryan combine to win back possession.
BUSSELTON has moved to equal-top of the South West Football League ladder after a dominant 126-point win over Donnybrook on Sunday.
The 25.15 (165) to 6.3 (39) victory was by far the Magpies biggest of the season and provides the club with a welcome percentage boost.
The victory moves Busselton up to second, only behind Eaton on percentage, with the weekend win increasing the club’s percentage from 100.27 to 116.39.
“Percentage wasn’t spoken about before the game, but it was good to get such a big win,” Busselton co-captain Sam Shepherd said.
“Ultimately, percentage could be the difference between finishing in second or third place at the end of the season.”
Power forward Leigh Kelly was at his dominant best on Sunday, kicking seven goals to take his season tally to 38.
Louis Davies, Matt Green and Damian Lee each kicked three goals for Busselton, while Shepherd noted the performances of both Kelly and Davies, plus midfielder Dan McGinlay.
He also made mention of youngster Ollie Ryan, who kicked a goal in just his second SWFL league match.
A trait of Busselton’s season so far has been an inability to put sides away once in front, with many of their wins being by relatively small margins.
That was finally rectified in the win over bottom-placed Donnybrook, with the Magpies kicking five, six, seven and seven goals across the four quarters.
“We were happy to put four quarters of football together, which was our aim,” Shepherd said.
“It’s the first time this season we’ve done that, normally we’ve just played one or two good quarters.
“We were pretty good across the ground on Sunday, there is not much to fault.
“The one area we will always look to improve on is consistency.”
Shepherd said he was also pleased with where the team was placed at the halfway point of the home-and-away season.
“We wouldn’t mind one more win on the board, but we’re pretty happy with where we’re at,” he said.
The reserves also moved into equal-top spot on the ladder after a 24.10 (154) to 4.4 (28) win, while the colts were challenged early but won 12.14 (86) to 4.6 (30) to remain just one win from fifth place on the table.
This weekend sees Busselton host Bunbury on Saturday night.
