By Blair Burns
Pearcedale has had a huge pre-season and is hoping 2025 can be the season where it all clicks, where it secures the double chance, charges deep into the finals and lifts the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League Division 2 premiership cup aloft.
Well, the Dales definitely took a step towards that dream as they defeated Devon Meadows on Saturday by 30 points.
Footy was back at Glover Reserve and the exciting contest between two premiership hopefuls began with an even first half with neither side prepared to give the other an inch.
It promised to be an intriguing clash after both sides played finals last season and were beaten by Somerville in the elimination final and semi-final respectively.
The Panthers had a six point lead at quarter time, before Pearcedale wrestled back a bit of momentum to lead by eight at half time.
The game was in the balance and it was looking like this opening encounter could be one for the ages but the Dales found a way to get on top around the stoppage and give their forwards some good looks.
Rising star Cruiz West was one of the focal points in the forward line as the young talent gave a glimpse of what he will bring to the league this season with four goals.
Pearcedale outscored Devon Meadows 42-20 in the second half to set the side up for the first of many victories in 2025, as they won 14.11 (95) to 9.11 (65).
Panthers’ coach Dean Kent worked relentlessly for his side kicking two goals and was one of their best while Cody Ray also kicked two majors.
Nathan Drew, Nick Battle and Lucas Thompson were some other strong performers in Devon Meadows’ 30 point loss.
West led the way with four goals while Luke Settineri (three goals) and the ever-reliable Brett Eddy (two goals) also kicked multiple majors.
Pearcedale’s Jack McGuiness made a successful return from injury being named in the best alongside Aaron Hosking and Luke Daniel.
In other games across the MPFNL Division 2 competition, Chelsea was too strong for Crib Point winning by 27 points thanks to a five-goal fourth quarter as Nicholas Stamatis (three goals) led the way.
Despite the loss, Crib Point twin brothers or the ‘Shepmates’ as they are better known, Miles (six goals) and Archie Shepherd (three goals) combined for nine of their team’s 10 goals on the day in an exceptional display of telepathic connection.
Frankston Bombers kicked straight with 17.9 to make light work of Bonbeach winning by 62 points at Baxter Park.
Jai Block had his kicking boots on with five goals to his name, while coach Jarrad Grant also kicked three in the victory.
Tyabb travelled to Hastings and an impressive first quarter from the visitors ultimately set up the 10 point victory as they made the most of the scoring end.
Rye was no match for Seaford and while kicking 3.10 didn’t help their winning chances, they were always up against it.
The margin was only 21 points at three quarter time and there was a glimmer of hope but Seaford put the foot down and boosted their percentage kicking 7.5 (47) to 0.1 (1) in the fourth term to win by 67 points – Seth Kelly (four goals) and Matthew Kennedy (three goals) were dominant in the forward line.
Somerville made light work of Karingal at home which was somewhat expected with poor kicking preventing them from boosting their percentage even higher as they eventually won by 51 points, 10.18 (78) to 4.3 (27).
Eagles’ captain Mason De Wit led from the front and kicked four goals in the team’s victory while vice-captain Luke Burton kicked two and was named the best player for the victors.
