LSWFL: Kojonup underpin status as premiership favourites with 35-point win over second-placed Deanmill

Kojonup underpinned their status as Lower South West Football League premiership favourites with a 35-point victory over Deanmill in a top-of-the-table clash at Kojonup Sporting Complex on Saturday. Despite another eight-goal performance from Hawks’ spearhead Jordan Strahan, the Cougars used their own offensive firepower to win a high-scoring contest 18.14 (122) to 13.9 (87). Kyron Hayden, formerly of North Melbourne and Subiaco, and Country Championships All Stars selection Harry Taylor slotted three goals apiece for the winners, with Lee Lucev, Matthew Marinoni and Jamaine Weazel contributing two apiece. The result snapped a six-game winning streak for Deanmill, who tasted defeat for the first time since April. Also on Saturday, reigning premiers Boyup Brook were all but eliminated from the finals race on the back of a 74-point defeat to Southerners at Boyup Brook Oval. The fourth-placed visitors ensured they moved three wins clear of the fifth-placed Roos by producing a dominant performance which saw them run out 21.11 (137) to 9.9 (63) victors. Even three big wins in their final three games of the season and other results going their way would likely not be enough for Boyup Brook to break into the finals places due to the sizeable gap in percentage between them and the top four. Spearhead Ashley Wallam played something of a lone hand for the Roos, slotting seven of their nine goals on the day, while Ben Cabassi (six goals) and Callen Sprigg (four) did the damage in attack for the winners. Bridgetown did not have Sunday’s clash with Tigers at Bridgetown Sports Oval entirely on their own terms but still managed to run out 42-point winners. Behind by four points at the main break, the Bulldogs responded by producing a second half which saw them stack on seven goals and hold their visitors without one to lock away a 10.10 (70) to 4.4 (28) victory. This weekend will see Imperials host Kojonup at Manjimup Recreation Ground and Brigdetown head to Pemberton Oval to play Southerners on Saturday before Deanmill come up against Boyup Brook in Deanmill on Sunday. Tigers have a bye.