SWFL 2023: Scenario-based football planning and execution pays off for Busselton during epic grand final win

Busselton league coach Daniel Delaney is the type of person who does not leave anything to chance. Whether it’s team selection, weather conditions or finalising what time his men will arrive for a game, the Magpies boss and his staff have scenario-based details covered. So when Mother Nature decided to provide a 32km/h north-westerly breeze — along with biting showers and gusts up to 50km/h — during the closing stages of Sunday’s gripping grand final against Carey Park at Payne Park, Delaney believed his players would be up to the challenge of defending their slender three-quarter-time lead against the howling breeze favouring the Herbert Road end. After surviving multiple attacking raids deep in their defensive half during time-on, the Magpies prevailed 8.13 (61) to 8.10 (58), in a titanic encounter. The Panthers won the toss but elected to kick against the wind to hopefully utilise its benefits in the final term. Predictably, Busselton dominated the game early, with the additional wind ensuring every kick travelled an additional 20m from its ideal target. For all of their dominance, the Magpies were unable to convert on the scoreboard as much as they would have liked — and to compound this, a late goal to Rory O’Brien kept the Panthers in touch before quarter-time. The Panthers played some of their best football in the second term, with Sydney Stack and Cooper Sparks doing plenty of damage in the corridor as conditions began to intensify. In the second half, tackles were fierce, contests were unforgiving, free kicks were plentiful and every good deed resulted from hard work. Mitch Howlett kicked truly midway during the final term to put the Magpies back in front, setting up a frenetic final 12 minutes of play. With time running out, the Panthers had multiple opportunities to hit front, however, luck eluded them in all instances. Sparks received the Pike Medal for his stellar four-quarter performance and when he was presented with it, he was quick to praise the Magpies’ impressive season. As horizontal rain lashed down on the premiership dias, Delaney was in awe of what his players, staff and club committee had achieved. “To the black-and-white army, thank you very much,” he said. Before the post-game presentation, the Busselton boss warmly embraced Carey Park coach Frank Italiano on the members’ side wing, with their close friendship resuming following a three-hour pause.