Round 4 Tyrepower Manjimup League Wrap

Round 4 of the Tyrepower Manjimup LSWFL League competition came to a close with a game of football that if you haven’t watched, do yourself a favour and access on YouTube sooner rather than later. 2024 Premiers Boyup Brook travelled to Bridgetown, where the improved Bulldogs were looking to once again test their 2025 credentials after impressive wins against Southerners and Deanmill, alongside a close loss to Kojonup. 

Boyup Brook entered the contest with a 1-1 record, though a similar theme impacted both their previous matches. Down by 38 points and goalless at quarter time against Deanmill, it proved too much of a mountain to climb. A week later the Roos found themselves 26 points down and goalless at quarter time against Imperials, though in Round 2 they were able to claim the 4 points.

Given their inability to hit the scoreboard in first quarters so far in 2025, Roos’ supporters would have loved seeing David Cowan kick their first, 4 minutes in. After multiple forward line stoppages, Cowan broke free and kicked a classy snap on his left. Minutes later Cowan took a strong mark 60 metres from goal and sent a long kick to the teeth of goal. Mat Michael marked in the pocket and kicked truly, giving the Roos’ the fast start they hadn’t managed in their opening two games. Brett Wilson answered with a mark and goal of his own for the Bulldogs only a minute later and inside the first 10 minutes it was clear supporters were in for a contest.  

Boyup Brook then upped the anti, banging on another 4 before the first change. Matt Thompson kicked his first for the day, Cowan added another 2 to go to a the first change with 3 to his name and Ashley Wallam added one with a superb left foot snap directly from a boundary throw in. The pressure being applied by the Roos was leading to turnovers in dangerous parts of the ground, best highlighted by a superb intercept mark from Mitchell Hallett that set up Cowan’s 3rd. 

When Mat Michael kicked his 2nd of the afternoon early in the 2nd Quarter, it was a danger signs for Bridgetown. Will Masters got one back for the hosts after a down field free kick, but Cowan kicked his 4th for the day five minutes into the quarter to see Boyup Brook up by 37 points. 

With Alex Stuart off the ground injured and Matt Tilbee absent for the clash, Bridgetown struggled for balance and had to re-arrange the magnets to compete in the air and stop the rampaging Cowan. Just as it looked like the assignment might be getting too difficult, the Bulldogs banged on 3 goals in 3 minutes to roar back into the match. Brodie Grant started the run with a goal from a free kick, before Masters kicked another, after a superb lead up mark after an out of character clanger from Cowan on the wing gifted Bridgetown possession. Josh Power then muscled his way to a centre clearance to set up Jesse Rose for a strong contested mark and goal. After another couple of goals apiece, the Roos went to half time with an 18 point lead, 10.2.62 to 7.2.44.

The rain set in during the 3rd Quarter and the game became a much more cagey affair. The scoring slowed, but the contested nature of the game went up another notch again. Tayte Craven kicked a running goal, before Reece Ralston put in his claim for Goal of the Day, with an outstanding snap after powering his way out of a tackle with a deft bit of footwork. Almost unbelievably given the obstacles in front of them, Bridgetown had narrowed the margin to 3 points at the 10 minute mark.

Cowan ran onto a loose ball and banged through his 5th to give the Roos some respite, but after a 10 minute arm wrestle, Power took it upon himself to play on after a mark and launch a long bomb to narrow the margin again. Wallam answered with one of his own and saw the Roos lead by 12 at the last change. In amongst the mayhem, Thompson had launched himself for a Mark of the Year contender. Anyone thinking they could catch their breath for the last quarter, was wrong, but also in for roughly 30 minutes of high octane football. 

Thompson had 2 for the day at this point, with Cowan and Wallam the Roos’ most consistent avenues to goal. He added a 3rd early in the quarter to extend the Roos’ lead to 18, before Callum Jupp kicked a rare goal from the back half. 

Ben Musitano again exemplified the Roos’ pressure with an intercept mark that set up Thompson for his 4th and 12 minutes in, we still had an 18 point Boyup Brook lead. After the rain and physical nature of the contest, players would have been digging deep at this point. The problem was, as players tired, Thompson wasn’t getting any smaller. Only minutes after his 4th for the game, he kicked his third in half a quarter after a powerful one handed mark. Wallam followed soon after for his 4th, raffling a mark that Thompson almost claimed. 

We’ve seen it time and time again in football. When the game calls for it, the elite players step up and grab the moment. With the margin back out to 30 points and time running away, Brett Wilson picked up a handball in the centre square from the next clearance, accelerated away and took two bounces before kicking an outstanding goal on the run. Wilson was involved again barely a minute later, this time playing on after a free kick and hitting Power on the chest. Power goaled and we were back to 18 points in the blink of an eye. 

Now it was Thompson’s turn. After almost claiming a mark that went to ground by millimetres, the ball found its way back to him seconds later and he kicked his 6th. Cowan did his best Peter Wilson 1992 impression, which hit the goal post, before Grant nailed one at the other end and again narrowed the margin. But Thompson was determined to have the final say. From the resulting clearance, Thompson provided a strong contest that left a loose ball for Musitano to run onto and claim his first for the day. It was just reward for Musitano who had provided strong run all day. Little over a minute later Thompson kicked his 7th for the game and 5th for the quarter to end the contest once and for all. 

The triple threat of Thompson, Cowan who ended with 5, and Wallam with 4 proved decisive, while Musitano, Ben Thompson and Talan Michael were excellent for the visitors. For the Bulldogs, Masters led an even spread of goals with 4, while Wilson, Craven and Power were outstanding contributors. Boyup Brook again showed they will be contenders in 2025, while there was a lot to like about the Bulldogs performance and some tall talent to come back into the side.