Harvey Bulls hopes third time’s a charm

For a third-straight year the Harvey Bulls have made the South West Football League finals and once again they will need to win three straight games to make the grand final.

This weekend the Bulls take on Augusta-Margaret River at the Harvey Recreation Centre in the elimination final on Saturday.

The Bulls head into the finals campaign in solid form and have a number of players at their best.

Midfielder Thomas Smith has been sneaking forward to kick goals, Brendon Jones has settled in his new position at half back, while Brett Lofthouse is being utilised as a swingman, playing in either defence or up forward.

But the Hawks seemingly have their number, defeating the Bulls by 24 points at Gloucester Park back in round 16.

If they are to overcome the Hawks, the Bulls will need to stop the midfield presence of the Payne boys – Steven, Jacob and Mitchell.

The trio has been in ominous form and has helped the Hawks to a strong back half of the season, which has seen them win their past seven games and storm into the top five.

The Bulls can take some confidence into the match, having beaten the Hawks in round seven by 67 points at the Harvey Recreation Ground.

Coach Paul Fimmano said he was “rapt with the season”.

“It is not just the league you look at, but our reserves have been competitive and the colts are getting stronger,” he said.

Fimmano said the local players had stood up this year.

“Look at little Jaxon Egan, he has been good,” he said.

“Then you look at Kyle Hickman, he is leading the ruck at 19.

“They are all not just playing, but they are contributing.”

Fimmano said he believed his team had the edge against the Hawks this weekend as they were in their third-straight elimination final.

“We know how to get ourselves up and I am confident in my boys,” he said.

The Bulls have won four of their past six finals, with each one basically an elimination final.

Fimmano said his side “embraced” finals and were not overawed.

“We have a lot of belief our style of football holds up in finals and there is a lot of proof,” he said.

Fimmano said having a key forward in Adam Boone would help them this season.

“Having a key forward as well as having the flexibility to move Lofty or (Darren) Rumble up there gives us flexibility,” he said.