PFNL 2018: Mandurah rue slow start as Centrals grind out a victory

Centrals took a 30-point lead into the first change and threatened to run away with the game, but Mandurah dug in after quarter time forcing the Blues to earn their first victory 11.7 (73) to 15.11 (101).

Toby Gianatti was in stellar form paving the path for Centrals through the middle early, as they piled on five goals to the Mustangs’ none in the first quarter.

The early blitz would prove to be the difference in the end, despite Mandurah winning the second and third quarters to cut the lead to just 15 points at three-quarter-time.

A big finish might have willed Mandurah over the line, but Centrals showed their class to hang on and take home their first win of the 2018 season.

Gianatti finished among the Blues’ best, alongside ex-East Fremantle player Thomas Bennett and Grant Dunn, who each nailed three goals.

Michael Stevens was one of the shining lights for the Mustangs with a five-goal bag, while young gun Matthew Bennell booted three.

Zeno Valenti and Lachlan Bray also impressed for the red and white, while Daniel Adair found his way into the side’s best in his 100^th league game.

Mustangs coach Mat Aitchison stuck firm to his high-standards philosophy in the wake of the loss.

“We’re disappointed, particularly in Danny Adair’s 100^th, that a bad start cost us the game in the end,” he said.

“It’s a tough one because obviously the boys worked really hard after that to be competitive, but we can’t be happy with results that aren’t wins.

“We can’t look back on the past and say ‘well, we were more competitive’ and be happy with that, we have to look at what we want to achieve and ultimately that’s winning games.”

Centrals will look to make it two in a row when they travel to take on Waroona this Sunday.