SWFL: Finals race settled but shape of ladder still in flux ahead of last round of home and away season

The five teams who will contest the South West Football League finals have been decided ahead of the last round of the season, but their finishing positions are still in flux. Busselton are in top spot on the ladder but are only marginally ahead of second-placed South Bunbury on percentage, with the gap between the sides equating to about two Tigers’ goals. The Magpies will close out their home and away campaign against Donnybrook — who were eliminated from the finals race with a shock one-point loss to Collie on Sunday — at Bovell Park on Saturday, while the reigning premiers will take on fifth-placed Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault at Hands Oval on Sunday. Further down the ladder, Carey Park’s 36-point victory over HBL on Saturday and Bunbury’s 10-point loss to the Tigers on Sunday saw the two teams trade places on the ladder. The red-hot Panthers are now up to third on the back of seven consecutive victories, while winning only four of their last 10 contests has seen Bunbury drop to fourth. But the gap in percentage between the sides is negligible, meaning the one who records a greater margin of victory at the weekend will likely earn an all-important double chance in the finals. Carey Park will come up against eight-placed Collie at Collie Recreation Ground on Saturday, while Sunday will see Bunbury host ninth-placed Eaton at Payne Park. Dunsborough will play Harvey Bulls at Dunsborough Playing Fields on Sunday in a clash which could have implications for the shape of the women’s ladder. Ladder-leaders Bunbury, fourth-placed Donnybrook and fifth-placed HBL are all locked into their positions, but the second-placed Bulls could slip to third if they lose their clash to the Sharks and third-placed Busselton defeat the Dons. Augusta-Margaret River and Carey Park’s women’s side will have a bye.