The South Mandurah Falcons dealt Pinjarra their first loss of the 2017 campaign on the back of a four-goal haul from Luke Shepherd on Steve Bazzo Cup day on Sunday afternoon.
Shepherd booted three consecutive majors in the second term as his team stretched to a lead that the Tigers failed to claw back, finishing the day 9.15 (69) to 7.10 (52) winners.
Pressure on the ball carrier was the game’s key ingredient for both sides, with congestion making it hard for either team to tally a big score.
Pinjarra looked to have the early edge with a number of repeat inside 50m entries to start the game, but a failure to convert saw them lead by just a single point as each team went into the first break with one goal.
Shepherd was the difference in the second term, as the Falcons took their chances with the wind in what would eventuate to be the defining quarter of the match.
Their entry to the forward line sharpened with Keegan Power and Andrew Haydon working hard around the ground.
With the improved delivery to the forwards Shepherd was able to stockpile three of his four majors on the day and give the Falcons a 5.5 (35) to 2.5 (17) advantage at the half-time break.
Pinjarra’s Blake Lee was in impressive touch and continued to try and will his side into contention in the second half.
But it was Shepherd who booted the first of the third quarter, sparking a goal-for-goal run between the outfits.
Riese Wilkey hit back for the Tigers, only to have his straight shooting undone by a goal to Falcon Callum Dews.
Pinjarra responded through the boot of Trevor Johnson, but a goal just before the three-quarter-time siren to Souths’ John Bennell gave his side a luxurious 23-point buffer at the final change.
The fourth quarter began with some stagnancy before a late hit on a Pinjarra player saw a scuffle break out.
The flare of tempers led to two yellow cards (Brent Johnson, Shane Norris) and a red (Josh Reed) being shown to a trio of Falcons and a point-blank goal for Pinjarra’s Brennan Gillam.
The Tigers had a sniff but time was against them, and the Falcons were able to remain composed and finish the game in front.
South Mandurah now sits on a two-game win streak after a pair of losses to start the season, while Pinjarra moves a 3-1 record with its first defeat.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
