It took Baldivis a half to get going but a massive third quarter saw the league leaders run out comfortable winners over Waroona in their round seven clash at Parnell Street Oval on Sunday.
Inspired by club legend Mat Thomas’ 200th game, the Demons took it up to the top-of-the-table Brumbies across the first two quarters, but Baldivis piled up 12 second-half goals to three to finish the game 9.10 (64) to 16.19 (115) winners.
Ben Higgs was the driving force in his first game for Baldivis, putting in a massive game to spur them over the line.
The former Claremont reserve tallied a whopping seven goals and kicked a further eight behinds on the back of 15 scoring shots, while taking 17 marks and amassing 22 disposals.
His big day out in full forward paved the way for his team, but they were forced to earn the win after Waroona started in good touch.
Rhett Mason’s continued strong form helped Waroona stay in touch with a Baldivis side that failed to make the most of its opportunities early, as both teams booted a pair of goals in the first.
But the second quarter saw the underdogs take control as they nailed four goals to the Brumbies’ two, dashing out to an 11-point lead at half time.
Unfortunately for the Dees, any hopes of an upset they harboured were crippled when Baldivis broke away with a huge third quarter.
The Brumbies booted nine majors in the penultimate term, while keeping Waroona to just two as they took a commanding 34-point lead into the final quarter.
From there the visitors were able to extend the margin to 51 points, as they picked up their seventh straight win to stay undefeated.
Baldivis coach Craig Hamersley commended Higgs’ efforts on the day, saying he provided a fresh dynamic to the Brumbies forward line.
“All of our forwards can kick goal but we’ve never really had a big target like Ben, so it kind of straightened us out in our approach,” he said.
“To have someone like that up front eases the strain on some of our other guys, and allows them to play their natural game a bit more.”
Hamersley was also left rapt with his side’s response in the second half.
“Credit to Waroona, they really took it up to us early, but I was stoked with the way our boys came out firing after half time,” he said.
“To raise the intensity the way they did is pretty encouraging.”
Baldivis will front up against Centrals as they look to stay unbeaten next weekend, while Waroona face another tough test against an in-form Pinjarra.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
