Pies ready for Panthers

The Busselton Magpies will be out to spoil the party in Richard Barnard’s 300th SWFL game on Saturday against Carey Park, a second win in a row would consolidate a top five position.

The Pies flew home to snatch the Busselton Toyota Cup from the Augusta Margaret River Hawks by 24 points last Saturday at Gloucester Park.

Busselton has not finished in the top five since winning the premiership in 2015 and a comprehensive win over last placed Carey Park would go a long way to ensuring they return to finals in 2020.

In a best-on-ground performance last week, Busselton captain Jackson Arbon stamped his authority on the league in his typical bulldozing style with a head to head clash against former Sandover Medallist Rory O’Brien shapes as the defining contest on Saturday evening.

Hard running from Ethan Maguire, Mitch Tenardi and Austin Styles fueled an inspired second half for the Pies last week on the way to a 14.6 (90) to 9.12 (66) win and Busselton coach Dave Lewis lauded his team’s accountability and resilience which will be vital against the Panthers.

“We were under the pump but we didn’t panic and the boys showed some real resilience. It doesn’t get much better than that,” he said.

“I thought we were able to even up the contest. They were feeding the ball back and sideways but once we took care of that in the second half we got on top and our midfield was fantastic.” Busselton now look to consolidate their position in the top five against the winless Carey Park.

The Panthers were competitive at times against the Bulldogs last week, but coach Richard Barnard lamented their second-half fade-out.

“We are a team where when we do things right, it looks really good,” he said.

“And the guys are doing their best to carry out the game plan.

“Sometimes though, it is just about execution. We try to take the game on and not fold numbers back.

“But with big reward comes big risk.”

Bounce-down is at 4.40pm, with the match streamed online.

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