The Busselton Magpies survived a last-quarter scare from Harvey-Brunswick-Leschanault to win 8.8 (56) to 7.5 (47) at Brunswick Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The home side set the tone for the match, kicking the opening goal as heavy rain set in.
But this would be HBL’s only major score for the first half, with Busselton kicking 5.4 (34) by the main break.
Slippery conditions lead to heated clashes in the third term, as both teams scrambled for contested ball.
Tensions rose throughout the match, as Busselton’s Kester Decke and HBL’s Zavier Williams got involved in fierce contests on the ball and away from it.
The home side brought the crowd to life in the third quarter, kicking 3.2 (20) in the final minutes, chasing down the Magpies.
But it was not enough to catch the visitors, who remain undefeated this season.
Busselton lost by the same margin — nine points in their previous game against Carey Park.
Busselton’s Jaxon East and Dylan Patterson were stand-outs, kicking three and four goals respectively.
HBL’s Jarrod Humphries was stellar, kicking two goals including one stunning take from out of the pack.
On Saturday, an undermanned Harvey Bulls outfit fell short to an accurate Carey Park 14.2 (86) to 9.8 (62) at Kelly Park.
Carey Park led from the outset to build up a solid lead in the opening quarter, but the Bulls rallied in the second term.
While Tyson Powell burst out the blocks early in the third term to put the Bulls in front, the Panthers responded quickly to bring the scores level.
Although the Bulls put up a tough challenge during the third quarter, the Panthers held strong to come away with the four-goal win.
In the women’s competition, Harvey Bulls continued pressing their case as strong finals contenders near the midway point of the season with a 7.16 (58) to 2.0 (12) win over Carey Park, while the HBL women’s side was on the receiving end of a 8.11 (59) to 0.1 (1) demolition by Busselton.