Some outstanding individual performances highlighted Pinjarra’s scratch matches against metropolitan-based clubs Trinity and Whitfords at Sir Ross McLarty Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The results were mixed for the reigning Peel Football and Netball League players, with the Tigers going down to Trinity in a game of two 20-minute halves before bouncing back with an impressive second half leading them past Whitfords.
Who impressed
Trevor Johnson
Johnson saw a bunch of the footy mopping up at half back and his clean disposal helped the Tigers clear it out of their defensive half on a number of occasions. He led the charge when Pinjarra was under siege against a pressing Trinity side, and weathered several storms in the process.
Blake Lee
Sadly missed last year’s premiership campaign with injury, but the midfielder didn’t shy away from the contest laying a number of tackles and applying pressure across all four halves. The return of Lee adds extra defensive pressure to an already stacked Pinjarra midfield.
Brennan Gillam
Booted three goals for the day and was the class the Tigers needed during many of their forward 50m entries. Gillam found himself on the end of a number of passages kick-started from the Tigers’ back line, and made the most of his opportunities. Also showed some grit when he chased down a Trinity opponent to earn a holding the ball free kick, which resulted in a Dean Beswick goal.
Takeaways
- Robert Beswick led the way for a Tigers midfield missing star players Rohan Kerr, Rory O’Brien and Mackenzie O’Brien, highlighting the depth Pinjarra has running through the guts.
- Outside of the second half against Trinity, Pinjarra was able to defend superbly despite finding themselves under siege in patches through both games. Trevor Johnson and Brendon Coxon made in impact in the back six.
- Dean Beswick spent most of the game time up forward, which may become a regular occurrence given the Tigers bid farewell to forwards Riese Wilkey, Jeffrey Carter and Kaine Ah-Chee in the off-season.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
