Dom Hardy’s late goal sealed the deal for Pinjarra as they took a 12-point win over ladder leaders Baldivis in a top-two clash at Sir Ross McLarty Oval on Saturday night.
The versatile forward’s snap around the body – the only goal for the entire fourth quarter – went through to give Pinjarra a two-goal lead with less than three minutes on the clock, one they wouldn’t relinquish until the final siren sounded to give them a 7.9 (51) to 5.9 (39) win in wet conditions.
But while Hardy’s heroics iced the victory for the Tigers, it was a masterclass performance from Brock O’Brien that fueled the side’s four-quarter effort.
The former East Fremantle best and fairest was outstanding in his role across half back, constantly cutting off Baldivis attacks and tallying a huge number of intercept possessions to keep the Brumbies at bay.
Pinjarra had the hot hand early when Leroy Jetta made the most of his first opportunity in an oval that resembled more of a mud pit to see the Tigers to the early lead.
Minutes later Rob Beswick streamed through the middle of the ground to hit Mitch Brown on the chest in the 50m arch, and the key forward made no mistake as he notched the day’s second goal.
But as is expected of the competition’s top team, Baldivis fired back through the boot of Callum Black before a Ben Higgs major on the siren saw the Brumbies to within a goal at quarter time.
The game had plenty of feeling in it with tempers flaring around the ground, but it was O’Brien and Kieran May’s composure at half back that helped Pinjarra steady with goals to Jetta and Brennan Gillam.
The home side looked ready to run away with it before Baldivis arrested some of their momentum, with a late goal to Zak Quigg cutting the margin to 11 points at half time.
What was already a slugfest became even more bogged down when the rain started to fall in the second half, but Blaine Johnson breathed life into the contest when he nailed the first goal of the third term to bring Baldivis within five points.
Brumbies captain Emmanuel Collard impressed on the night but was kicking himself when he missed the chance to goal in the third, but fortunately for the visitors Higgs nailed one to keep the score within a goal at three-quarter-time.
But all scoring came to a halt in the final term, with Pinjarra keen to ride the contest out with their slim lead.
The game was hanging in the balance with only a goal separating the two with five minutes remaining, but a loose ball inside the Pinjarra forward line gave Hardy all the opportunity he needed to put the game to bed.
The win brings the Tigers within two premiership points of top spot, and assures them second place for at least another week.