A few weeks ago, Busselton coach Daniel Delaney said his side ideally would be 10-0 on top of the ladder heading into the second half of the season.
The Magpies players are clearly on the same page, given they are only one game away from their coach’s ideal marker.
With no lights available for use on Sunday at Brunswick Oval, viewing or playing in the Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault-Busselton clash was extremely difficult at times, despite the earlier 2.40pm start time, as the wintery conditions plunged the ground into an early darkness.
The Magpies prevailed 8.8 (56) to 7.5 (47) against the Lions, on the back of a stellar first half. Despite the close nature of the final score, they never seriously look like having the game stolen away.
At a soggy Dunsborough Playing Fields, Augusta-Margaret River secured inaugural southern derby bragging rights, after holding off Dunsborough 4.7 (31) to 2.7 (19).
Mitch Payne booted all four goals for the reigning premiers, who had a host of key players — including Beau Morgan and Jack Goyder — return for duty.
It was a rough Saturday evening at Kelly Park for the Harvey Bulls.
A ground where victories have eluded them in recent times, the Bulls fell 14.2 (86) to 9.8 (62) against Carey Park, who snapped a two-game losing streak.
Bulls coach Mark Pink could be forgiven for thinking someone in his side has run over a black cat over the past month, given the staggering list of injuries he has been forced to deal with.
Saddled with more injuries before the Panthers clash, Pink again looked to youth to assist him with youngster Cristian Tirli making his league debut.
Despite no shortage of adversity, the Bulls gave a good account of themselves for more than two quarters — even hitting the front early in the third term courtesy of Tyson Powell, who bagged four goals.
The young Panthers regained ascendancy in the opening minutes of the final term and put Pink’s men out of business for the remainder of the evening.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Donnybrook defeated the bottom-placed Collie Eagles 12.7 (79) to 7.11 (53) at VC Mitchell Park.