Despite finishing the regular season second on the South West Football League ladder, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault’s 2016 campaign was ended on Saturday night, a fortnight before the grand final.
It took a goal to Reece Blechynden after the siren to lift the fifth-placed Harvey Bulls to victory and helping them knock a higher-placed team out of the competition for the second time in two weeks.
Both sides nailed three goals in the opening term and just as Harvey looked to gain the upper hand in the second term, a late goal to Eli Smith kept the Lions in the hunt.
Three goals in the third term saw Harvey lead by 13 points at the final change but with second left on the clock, it was HBL who had hit the lead.
Blechynden marked truly and settled his nerves to kick the winner for the Bulls after the final siren had sounded to give the Bulls a memorable 9.5.59 to 8.9.57 win in the South West’s first ever regular season Saturday night final.
The goal brought pandemonium from the Bulls players who quickly formed a group hug to celebrate their second preliminary final in as many years.
For the Lions there was heartbreak with a three point loss to Collie in week one of the finals and the two point defeat at the hands of Harvey cruelly ending their league premiership dreams.
The news was better for the Lions in the reserves and colts competitions with both sides winning their semi finals to gain a berth in the decider.
The HBL reserves were too strong for Eaton 15.6.96 to 12.10.82 while the Lions’ colts got over Bunbury 10.8.68 to 5.6.36.
On Sunday, South Bunbury will face Collie at Hands Oval to decide who will automatically earn a place in the 2016 South West Football League grand final and who will get a second chance against the rampaging Bulls.
Andrew Elstermann
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
