By Blair Burns
Pearcedale has bounced back from last week’s six-goal loss after the Dales held off Crib Point away from home to win by 20 points in MPFNL Division 2.
A seven-goal haul from star forward and former SANFL star Brett Eddy led the way for Pearcedale, while young gun Cruiz West continued his impressive form with three goals.
Crib Point’s Daniel Farmer did everything he could to get his side over the line; kicking five goals and being named his team’s best player.
The Dales have been hammered by injuries in the past couple of weeks losing Ben Duncan (ACL) and Luke Settineri (concussion) in round five, with Archie and Jack McGuiness also joining them on the sidelines after suffering head knocks last weekend.
Pearcedale coach Peter Bastinac said it was good to grind out the win in a tight game.
“This week we had to bounce back and consolidate our spot in the top five, and I was happy we did that in the end,” he said.
“It was a bit of a battle up until half time, but then we steadied; we always have a good battle against Crib Point out there, they seem to bring their best footy for us.”
While the final scoreboard shows a 20-point win to the Dales, it wasn’t always that easy as they battled in the first half.
Crib Point started from the opening bounce and raced out to a nine-point lead at the first break, and despite the visitors fighting back in the second, the Magpies still had the lead at half time.
“There were some things (in the first half) which were uncharacteristic for us, so I just emphasised the fact that it was an important game for our season,” Bastinac said.
“We needed to sharpen up in all areas, our pressure wasn’t up and we were making bad decisions.”
Pearcedale now cements itself in third position on the ladder, behind Devon Meadows and Frankston Bombers.
Ryan Bastinac had 26 disposals, while Huw Jones had a huge game in the ruck with 54 hitouts and 16 disposals.
Despite kicking poorly for goal, Devon Meadows remained too strong for Seaford on the weekend, winning by 32 points.
Joel Hillis (28 disposals, two goals); Dean Kent (33 disposals, 15 marks) and Nick Battle (31 disposals, one goal) were dominant in the win.
In other games, Bonbeach was far too strong for the winless Hastings as the Sharks won by 67 points, while Frankston Bombers dominated against Tyabb with an 87-point victory.
Rye had an important win over Somerville, the Demons capitalising on their opportunities to win by 16 points, while a seven-goal bag from Anthony Beale helped Chelsea thump Karingal by 76 points.
MPFNL DIVISION 2
CRIB POINT 4.4 6.5 9.5 11.8 (74)
PEARCEDALE 3.1 6.3 11.7 14.10 (94)
Crib Point Goals: Daniel Farmer 5, Liam Tyrrell 2, Lee Sheehan, Will Stewart, Ryan Tzeremes, Noah Wisken.
Best: Daniel Farmer, Will Stewart, Kane Tyrrell, Aden Phillips, Ryan Smith.
Pearcedale Goals: Brett Eddy 7, Cruiz West 3, Jordan Bastinac 2, Luke Daniel, Bailey Gent.
Best: Brett Eddy, Luke Daniel, Huw Jones, Bailey Gent, Shane Davidson.
SEAFORD 1.1 3.3 3.5 5.8 (38)
DEVON MEADOWS 2.4 3.10 7.13 9.16 (70)
Seaford Goals: Benjamin Carroll, Lachlan Osborne 2, Peter Goulas.
Best: Ryan Jacobs, William Kennedy, Damien Rayson, Tom White, Benjamin Carroll.
Devon Meadows Goals: Jack Wilson 3, Joel Hillis 2, Nick Battle, Alex Canal, Owen Hillis, Ky Williams.
Best: Joel Hillis, Jack Wilson, Ryan Koo, Ky Williams, Nick Battle.
OTHER GAMES – R6: Bonbeach 17.13 (115) def Hastings 7.6 (48), Frankston Bombers 17.20 (122) def Tyabb 5.5 (35), Chelsea 18.15 (123) def Karingal 7.5 (47), Rye 12.6 (78) def Somerville 8.14 (62).
LADDER: Frankston Bombers 24, Devon Meadows, Pearcedale 20, Seaford, Bonbeach, Chelsea 16, Crib Point 12, Somerville, Rye 8, Tyabb 4, Hastings, Karingal 0.
FIXTURE – R7: Chelsea (6) v Tyabb (10), Crib Point (7) v Somerville (8), Devon Meadows (2) v Frankston Bombers (1), Hastings (11) v Karingal (12), Pearcedale (3) v Rye (9), Seaford (4) v Bonbeach (5).
