The Baldivis Brumbies escaped a serious scare from Centrals to keep their undefeated record in tact with a one-goal win at Baldivis Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors started the game strong and ended it even stronger, but the league leaders responded when it mattered most to grind out a 7.16 (58) to 8.4 (52) win.
Kieran Lansdell’s American football background came in handy for the home side, as he tallied a bunch of contested possessions in the wet conditions to help see Baldivis to the victory.
But those wet conditions couldn’t stop Centrals from starting the game on fire, as they came streaming out of the gates in Daniel Wilson’s 250th game.
The visitors tallied four goals in the first quarter to the Brumbies’ one as hard work from Toby Gianatti and Grant Dunn resulted in a pair of goals for both Paul Mugambwa and Thomas Bennett.
But despite being down to just two rotations at half time, the wounded Baldivis responded with the rain helping them get on top of the contest.
The Brumbies kept their guests goalless in the second and third quarters to storm to a 16-point advantage at three quarter time.
The forecast was grim for a Centrals side trying to jump back into the top five, but they came out swinging in the fourth to put Baldivis to the test.
Unfortunately for the Blues it was a case of so close but yet so far as their fourth term charge fell six points short.
Gianatti was a force despite the loss, while Wilson finished with one goal in game 250.
Lansdell got the nod as Baldivis’ best, with the win taking the Brumbies to a perfect 8-0 on the season while Centrals move to 3-5 and reside in sixth.
The Brumbies now turn their attention to South Mandurah with a trip to Falcon Oval looming ahead.
“South Mandurah are one of those teams that look like they’ll eventually knock off one of the top sides, so we’ll need to bring a pretty solid brand of footy to avoid that being us,” Baldivis coach Craig Hamersley said.
“We’ve got a few niggling injuries at the moment so if we can get to the bye in two weeks undefeated we’ll be really happy.”
Meanwhile, Centrals will hit the road for their third straight game away from home, and will need to conjure a mighty performance to top the red-hot Rockingham Rams.