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Attack fires in Busso title win

Headshot of Justin Fris
Justin FrisBusselton Dunsborough Times
The Magpies were all smiles after getting over the Bulldogs in Saturday’s decider.
Camera IconThe Magpies were all smiles after getting over the Bulldogs in Saturday’s decider. Credit: Justin Fris

Busselton claimed the 2020 South West Netball Football League premiership after a hard-fought 61-49 win over Bunbury at the Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday night.

Ultimately, the experience of WANL veterans Maia Bratton and Lisa Millman proved priceless for the Magpies, but the Bulldogs gave them an almighty fright.

In the opening quarter, it appeared as though the Magpies would run away with the match, such was the slick nature of their offence. With Taneika Handley (centre) and wing attack Phoebe Pethybridge providing incredible drive in the mid-court, Bratton and goal attack Courtney Webb were fed plenty of quality balls.

Such was the imposing nature of Bratton’s reach in the goal circle, she was able to land a vast array of shots from any distance or angle.

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Not content to have all of the fun, Bratton also routinely moved up court and found plenty of paths for Webb to capitalise on.

However, the Bulldogs, who have enjoyed a fantastic season under playing coach Sarah Leitch, quickly flipped the script.

Aside from generating a number of turnovers, the defensive duo of Sophie Proudfoot (goalkeeper) and Hailey Burrows (goal defence) began to double-team Bratton, along with disrupting the Magpies’ overall rhythm.

At the other end, supreme Bulldogs goal shooter Shantelle Tassone hit a blistering purple patch and in the blink of an eye, the Bulldogs were up 38-32.

But the injection of Lisa Millman into the Magpies’ front end swung the game into their favour for the remainder.

In a lethal sequence of events, the Magpies went on an 11-0 run, before a late Bulldogs goal against the grain alleviated some of the damage.

However with Millman cohesively weaving in and out of traffic, the Bulldogs’ defence began to wilt as both Webb and Bratton’s deeds in the circle ensured their side savoured the joy that comes with winning a premiership.

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