SWFL women’s: South Bunbury survive spirited Dunsborough to win elimination final by seven points

South Bunbury knocked a spirited Dunsborough out of the South West Football League women’s finals in Friday night’s thrilling elimination final. The two teams came into the clash on opposite ends of the form spectrum, with the Tigers having tasted defeat only once since May and the Sharks stumbling into their first senior finals appearance having lost eight of their last 11 games. But the underdogs defied pre-game expectations to push the favourites all the way at Kelly Park, with the game tied as late as the fourth term. In the low-scoring contest, a brilliant goal from Dunsborough’s Maya Goudard at the top of the final term tied the scores, leaving extra time looking like a distinct possibility. But a behind from the boot of Taylah Cruttenden gave the Tigers the lead back before a brilliant Mikayla Balloch set shot from deep in the pocket all but sealed the Tigers’ progression to the semifinals. Their side went on to win by seven points, 3.2 (20) to 2.1 (13). Cruttenden stood out with her speed and evasive skills all night for the winners, while ruck Zoe Huggett and captain Kiarni Stevens stood tall when the game was there to be won. The Tigers registered the first goal of the night only seconds into the contest, with their first clearance ending up in the hands of Kaitlin Eades, who found enough space to roll home the opener. But with a big and parochial contingent of supporters having made the trip to cheer them on, the Sharks proved they were up for the fight. They were led around the ball by captain Shelby Foster and their defenders with some desperate efforts. The second term largely followed the same pattern as the first but the Sharks led narrowly at half-time after Foster marked inside-50 and was collected late. She converted after being marched to the goal square. Not long after the resumption, the Tigers reclaimed the lead with a goal set up by a great passage of play, with Jada Scott gathering a loose ball and turning her opponent before Adi Griffith burst clear of a chaser and calmly applied the finishing touch. After both teams failed to capitalise on some scoring chances later in the third term, Goudard tied the scores with a magnificent solo effort at the start of the last quarter, finding her way around multiple defenders and skidding the ball across the goal line.