The Pinjarra Tigers turned a four-goal slump at half time into a 21-point victory with an emphatic second half against South Mandurah on Sunday afternoon.
The Falcons held a 38-point lead before Pinjarra had even registered their first goal, but the Tigers responded by keeping South Mandurah to just one goal in the second half as they ran away with a 11.15 (81) to 9.6 (60) win in captain Dean Beswick’s 100th game.
Souths spearhead Brad Holmes was on fire in the opening half, booting four of his five goals as the Falcons stormed out of the gates with the game’s first six majors.
The reigning premiers were left gobsmacked when they went the whole first quarter without registering a goal, and Holmes bagged the first two of the second quarter to push his side’s lead out to 38 points.
It was unfamiliar territory for the Tigers, but it did little to phase them as they steeled themselves for a second half assault thanks to goals from Rory and Brock O’Brien just before half time.
Pinjarra would go on to boot eight of the game’s last nine goals with Mitch Brown and Kieran May heavily involved in the forward half of the ground with four and two goals respectively.
But the Tigers were perhaps most impressive at the defensive end, restricting South Mandurah to just one goal in the final two quarters, which came as Holmes’ fifth on the day.
They trailed by nine points at the final change but a four-goal barrage in the final term did enough to secure Pinjarra their fourth win on the season.
Tigers coach Troy Vidovich lamented his side’s slow start, but credited their ability to fight back and overcome the Falcons’ challenge.
“Obviously you never want to start a game down 40 points, but for the boys to fight back and get a win was great for the group,” he said.
“We made a couple of changes in the second half and they paid off, so to know you can make these in-game adjustments and the players can get the job done is encouraging.”
Josh O’Brien was among Pinjarra’s best after keeping his solid form alive with a strong display, while Brendan Coxon did an admirable job on Holmes in the second half.
Andrew Haydon put in a stellar performance for the Falcons, while Jake Sutton and Brodie Hobson were also among their best.
The Tigers will look to make it three straight wins when they take on Mandurah in round seven, while the Falcons host Centrals.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
