SWFL men’s: Harvey Bulls bruising season comes to an end with 96-point loss to Collie

Harvey Bulls’ bruising South West Football League season came to an end at Collie Recreation Ground on Saturday with a 96-point thrashing at the hands of Collie. The ninth-placed Bulls came into the clash sitting ahead of the last-placed Eagles, who had lost their last 14 games, but were never in a one-sided contest, suffering a heavy 16.13 (109) to 1.7 (13) defeat. The Bulls finished 2024 with a 4-14 win-loss record but struggled mightily in the second half of the season after parting ways with coach Kurt Haunold and losing stars Jordan Strahan, Cooper Sparks and Zak Pretty, winning only one of their final 10 games with an average losing margin of 91.7 points in their nine defeats. Heading for half-time trailing by 51 points after an eight-goal to none first half, the visitors showed some spirit in a one-goal apiece third term, but the hosts blew out the margin late with seven unanswered goals in the final quarter. Collie captain Talan Michael was brilliant in his 150th league appearance, slotting three goals, while spearhead Jayce Fontana booted five in the big win. Riley Vidovich kicked the only goal for the Bulls, with Aaron Jovanovic, Jacob Pickett and Evan Hill named in the best players.