Round 7 saw finals contenders Bridgetown and Southerners clash for the second time in 2025, with the Bulldogs victorious in the first game by 13 points. Back on home soil for the rematch, Bridgetown were looking to solidify their position in a tight race for the top four.
The first quarter saw two quality sides go at it, with the home side getting marginally the better of it, with a 3 point lead courtesy of the 4.2.26 to 3.5.23 scoreboard. The Bulldogs had skipped to a mini break during the quarter after back to back goals from Josh Power and Brett Wilson, but Alex Cabassi booted two of his own in succession to ensure the contest was evenly poised at the first change.
Bridgetown kept the pressure on in the second quarter, with two goals to Brodie Grant either side of one from Seaton Thompson for Souths, again seeing the Bulldogs out to goal and a half lead. Ben Cabassi added his second for the game to peg things back, before Will Masters replied and Wilson kicked his third for the half. Following back to back goals to Alex, then Daniel Cabassi after a strong contested mark, the lead was once again back to just 2 points, before James McAlinden put the Bulldogs 8 points up at half time, 9.3.57 to 7.7.49.
For the home side, while Brett Wilson kept the scoreboard ticking over, Kyle Wilson was outstanding in defence and proved the end of several Southerners attacking forays. For Souths, Tyson Jacob and Taj Barnsby were both prominent, while Ben Cabassi was looking for opportunities to join their attacks from the midfield.
Southerners made the early running in the third term, with Cabassi (Alex) kicking his 4th, before Nick Sarsero put them in front. Wilson (Brett) replied with his 4th to wrestle the lead back, before Tom Collins and Cabassi (Ben then Jack) kicked three in succession to put some space between them and the home side for the first time in the contest. Masters kicked one late, to leave the match finely poised at the final change, the home side trailing 12.4.76 to 12.9.81.
The margin hovered in the sub 10 point range for much of the last, but with time starting to slip away, it seemed Southerners were just able to answer whenever required and maintain their slim advantage. That was until Matt TIlbee inserted himself strongly into the contest with a powerful mark and goal, his second for the quarter, put the home side in front. Now Southerners found themselves needing to force the pace as the clock became their enemy. Following a Bulldogs turnover and some space opening up, Tom Vowles had what seemed to be the final say in the contest with only minutes left and Souths needing two goals to win.
Southerners attacked again late, with several forward entries being chopped off, before some tired marking left space for Daniel Cabassi to mark unattended. To the relief of the home fans, the siren sounded, meaning even a goal would see Bridgetown home by a point. As it was, the kick registered a minor score by the finest of margins and left Bridgetown as 6 point winners.
Southerners’ Nick Sarsero flies high, as Mitchell Shields also tries to mark. Alex Cabassi and Kyle Wilson both bravely arrived at the contest from the front of the pack, indicative of the willingness of players from both sides to put their bodies on the line.
Fresh off a commanding win at home against Kojonup, Deanmill travelled to Boyup Brook on Saturday to take on the 2024 Premiers for the second time this season. In Round 1, the Hawks got the jump on the Roos, who worked their way back into the game at stages, but ultimately couldn’t undo the damage of a costly first quarter. It would therefore have been to Mat Michael’s frustration that the quarter time scoreboard saw the home side trailing, 2.3.15 to 4.1.25. The Hawks are making a habit in 2025 of putting pressure on opposition teams early, so in Round 7 it is no longer a surprise to come out to find them with their game face on from the first bounce.
After a six goal second term from the Hawks, the half time score board saw the home side down, 3.5.23 to 10.4.64. It was an eerily reminiscent scoreline to Round 1’s major change, which saw read 3.6.24 to 9.5.59. In the earlier clash, the Roos outscored their visitors 12 goals to 11 in the second half to cast some doubt on the result at times. On Saturday there was no such second half resistance as the Hawks kicked away with another 13 goals to 5 to claim an 89 point victory. Joshua De Campo led the way for the Hawks, along with Blake East and Brock Tempra who saw plenty of possession and kept the Roos under constant pressure. Jordan Strahan was once again hard to stop in the forward line, muscling his way to 7 goals for the day and 26 for the season, in the process drawing level with Ashley Wallam. The pair now trail Lee Lucev, who had a remarkable day out against Imperials. Cooper Sparks was again lively and Jaxon Cahill continued to stake his claim as one of the most important recruits of 2025.
For the Roos, Wallam booted 4 of his side’s 8 goals to continue his excellent form, while Talan Michael and David Cowan worked hard to try and get the game going back in the home side’s favour.
The Hawks’ win further jumbles the make up of the LSWFL ladder at this early stage of the season, with their own form seeing them beat both last year’s Grand Finalists, yet drop consecutive games to Bridgetown and Southerners.
In the other Saturday game, a depleted Imperials ran into a rampaging Kojonup, keen to return to the winner’s list after last week’s loss at Deanmill. The home side made an early statement of intent with an eight goal first term, going to the first change with the scoreline 8.3.51 to 0.0.0. A three goal second term for the Cougars saw the half time lead blow out to 74 points, with Imperials yet to hit the scoreboard. As tough as the half time scoreboard was for Magpie fans, it still gave no indication of the carnage to follow.
The likes of Clancy Norrish, Brad Ashton and Geoff Pethick were busy for the home side, and then there was Lucev. The sharp shooter was having a day out in front of goals, while the likes of Travis Abbott (4 for the day), Jamaine Weazel (4), Pethick (3) and Sam Jackson also kept the scoreboard ticking over.
The third term saw the home side pile on 10 goals, blowing the margin out to 130 points at the last change, 21.10.136 to 1.0.6. Another 9 in the final term saw the Cougars run out winners 30.17.197 to 1.1.7, with Lucev booting 12 goals, to take his season total to 30 and the top spot in the chase for top goal scoring honours.
While it was a tough day for Magpies’ fans, they have shown glimpses of their best throughout 2025 and head to Nannup next week for a clash with Boyup Brook. Tom Danks worked hard for the black and whites, while Tim Mayers and Jordan Johnson were also amongst their sides’ best.
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