Heavy rain puts teams to the test

In some of the wettest conditions seen in some time, Carey Park have come from behind to defeat Busselton at a waterlogged Kelly Park on Sunday afternoon, in round fourteen of the Dale Alcock Homes South West SWFL premiership season.

Although the League probably had the best of Sunday’s weather, 31.6mm of rain fell on the ground from the commencement of the Colts match and the ground had multiple large pools and mud everywhere, after very heavy rain and even hail fell in the Colts, Reserves and Women’s fixtures, which saw both the Colts and Reserves temporarily halted under the lightning policy.

It was evident early that scoring was going to be not only difficult but at a premium, and it took more than seven minutes for the opening score, Brodie Howell kicking the ball off the ground in the goal square to give the Magpies the first goal.

Reece Payne had a set shot from 40m out that just clearing the outstretched hands of the Busselton defenders to level the scores after twelve minutes as the rain continued to fall. A late goal to Leo Guthridge put Busselton three points in front at quarter time.

The margin was extended early in the second with Jozef Parkinson, who played a great game, kicked Busselton’s third goal, extending the margin to nine points.

Busselton were dominating possession with play in their forward half but Carey Park repelled attack after attack in the treacherous conditions, sometimes in the most unlikely of ways.

It wasn’t pretty, and no one came off the ground clean as the ball went from puddle to puddle inside the Magpies forward line. As is always the case, after dominating possession, the Panthers found a clearance and went coast to coast to record a rare goal, with Harry Jones getting boot to ball in the square to reduce the margin to three points at half time.

Jones was lively in the third term, snapping a goal from deep in the pocket to give the home side the lead, as the Panthers started to dominate possession. Eventually that domination resulted in a goal to Brady Lenaghan who gave the Panthers a nine point lead.

It proved almost impossible at the start of the last as Jones goaled again, and when Eli Hill scored a major at the eight minute mark, the margin extended to 21 points. Conditions were so difficult that neither team managed to score for the remainder of the match in some of the most trying condition seen at Kelly Park in many years.

Jamahl Mulholland played and excellent game for the Panthers, while Jozef Parkinson appeared to be everywhere for the Magpies.

Both teams will have massive matches next Saturday, with Carey Park hosting Bunbury, while Busselton will host Harvey Brunswick Leschenault. Both teams will be relieved to know the early forecast is for fine weather.

Carey Park 6.6.42 def. Busselton 3.3.21