SWFLW 2023: Depleted Dons hold on, Bulls and Lions hold rivals scoreless, Carey Park-Eaton called off early

Despite playing the game with no interchange bench for the majority of Sunday’s clash against South Bunbury at Hands Oval, Donnybrook held their nerve, prevailing 4.3 (27) to 2.3 (15). Former South Bunbury spearhead Bethany Bond started as the only player on the bench, however a significant foot-based injury to Abbey Westra inside the opening term resulted in Bond coming on and completing the match. After being helped off the ground by coach Maxwell Jetta — who also was the team’s runner and trainer — Westra made her way along the boundary line to the portable rooms during the second term. Led by Jessica Verbrugge and Lacey Holdsworth, the Dons were able to find an added level of grunt in the forward line, which served them well in the dying minutes. The match was not without controversy, with a series of contentious decisions going against the home side in the second half. The Harvey Bulls appear safe in second spot, following their 10.7 (67) to 0.0 (0) victory over the Dunsborough Sharks at Dunsborough Playing Fields. With too much potency in the corridor and up forward, the visitors broke the game open early, with Caitlyn Shales (five goals) and Krystal Carter prominent. Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault also enjoyed their afternoon at Brunswick Oval, blanking Collie Eagles 9.16 (70) to 0.0 (0). The Lions, who have sewn up fifth spot, will face a do-or-die elimination final against Donnybrook on September 1 under lights. On Saturday at Kelly Park, Eaton defeated Carey Park 2.3 (15) to 1.2 (8), with the match called off at three-quarter-time due to an already-depleted Panthers side having run out of players due to multiple injuries suffered during the game.