LSWFL: Bridgetown Bulldogs crowned minor premiers

Southerners played their last football game of the season at the weekend to finish 6th on the ladder, suffering a 78-point loss to powerhouse team Bridgetown Bulldogs, the 2023 minor premiers.

Unfortunately for the home side, the Bulldogs were in peak condition, dominating across the field.

The Southerners’ defenders had a tough time on Sunday, with the league’s leading goal kicker Paddy Farrant booting 14 goals for the away-side — taking his season total to 100.

Bridgetown won the match 19.9 (123) to 7.3 (45).

Despite the final score Southerners started well, with a strong defence and midfield but found themselves 13 points behind going into quarter-time.

It was in the second quarter Bridgetown asserted their dominance, with Farrant feasting on ample supply from the midfield.

The score was 11.4 (70) to 2.2 (14).

Both teams demonstrated fantastic skills in the final two quarters however, the margin proved too great for Southerners to overcome, allowing Bridgetown to score 8.5 (53) in the second half to 5.1 (31).

Ben Cabassi, Jack Hick, Seaton Thompson and Cameron Hort all scored for the Southerners, while Thompson, Cody Jasper, Mathew Fox, Timothy Martyn, Casey Vandersluys and Edward Baker were among their best.

Bridgetown’s best included Patrick Farrant, Jayen Farrant, Reece Waters, Brett Wilson, Matt Wheatley and Callum Jupp.

Bridgetown will now have a bye before taking on Kojonup on August 27 in the second semifinal. The winner will go into the grand final on September 9, while the loser will get a second chance in the preliminary final.

Imperials’ loss to Kojonup at the weekend means they will take on Deanmill next weekend in the first semifinal at Pemberton Oval. One team will be eliminated, while the other will advance to the preliminary final.

Boyup Brook also played their last game at the weekend against Deanmill to finish 5th on the ladder, despite scoring a one-point win on their home turf.