Bulls strike down reigning premiers

The reigning premiers went down to this season’s top team in an action-packed day in the WKFL on Saturday.

Last year’s premiers, Bidyadanga Emus, were undefeated until the end of round 4, but have lost every game since, suffering a 46-point loss to the Broome Bulls this round.

The Emus kicked just one point in the first quarter, but were competitive for much of the rest of the match.

The Bulls played a tough game of football and a six-goal final quarter would seal their sixth win of the season.

Robert Crawford followed up last week’s nine-goal performance with five goals this round and was once again among the team’s best.

Hayden McLeod and Jai Russell also stood out for the Bulls, while Wesley Wickham, Dane Roberton and Selwyn Hunter impressed for the Emus.

The Derby Tigers edged the Peninsula Bombers by seven points in the second match of the day, after being down by 11 points at half time.

Rhonen Maher booted five goals for the Tigers, with David Cox kicking four for the Bombers in a tough, close encounter.

Aaron Kitching and Gerrick Weedon were also the best on ground for the Tigers and Laurence Victor and Boston Djiagween stood out for the Bombers.

In another of the weekend’s close encounters, Looma bounced back from a close loss last week to defeat a solid Towns side by four goals.

Towns came out strong, kicking four goals in the first five minutes of the game, but Looma fought back to go into half-time with a four-point lead.

Towns were still in it at three-quarter-time after Jawan Madden kicked a goal after the siren, but Looma pulled away and kicked three goals to one in the last quarter.

Looma head coach Bernie Pindan said he was happy his team had bounced back after a strong start by Towns.

“I told the team at quarter-time to wake up ,otherwise Towns would run away with the game,” he said. “I’m happy with how the team went but I think we struggled with our run and carry so we’ll be focusing on that.

“It was a good team effort and I’m proud we got the win.”

Jahni Isaac, Keanu Skeen and Remahli Skeen were the best on ground for Looma, with Damien Crispin, Bailey Spowart and Shae Butler impressive for Towns.

Round 8 begins on Saturday with action at both Derby Oval and Haynes Oval.