The Pinjarra Tigers caught a glimpse into what their future looks like with a handful of youngsters putting in strong performances to see them cruise past Mandurah on Saturday night.
Jaidon Kearing, Ryley Cooper, Riley Vidovich and Nixon Purser all showed good signs in patches across the four quarters, as the reigning premiers came away with a 10.5 (65) to 22.10 (142) win.
But while the younger brigade showed their poise at the league level, it was the Tigers’ experienced players that had them motoring from the get-go.
Brennan Gillam sparked a run in the first quarter that allowed Pinjarra to immediately stamp their authority on the Mustangs, with his three goals in the opening term seeing the Tigers out to a six-goal lead at the first break.
Vidovich didn’t take long to find his first goal at the league level booting the fifth of the day, but Mandurah’s James Spark nailed his side’s first after the siren to give them something heading into quarter time.
Efforts from Matthew Bennell and Michael Mulcahy helped Mandurah match it with Pinjarra at two goals apiece in the opening half of the second term, but Joel O’Driscoll blew the match wide open again when he slotted three consecutive majors – one coming off a beautiful spoil and follow-up kick from Kearing.
However, Mandurah managed to claw some of it back with Stuart Puls snaring a pair of late majors heading into the half.
A classy goal to Mitch White at the start of the third got Mandurah fans out of their seats, but strong form from Aron Greenham and Brock O’Brien allowed the Tigers to regain control.
Bennell put a pair of goals through against the flow of play for the Mustangs late in the third, but another to Gillam sapped any chance of a miraculous upset.
Tempers flared in the fourth quarter when Mandurah’s Brandon Morrison was shown a yellow card after laying a late bump, but the energy went out of the game when Stephen Martin and Purser both booted truly for the Tigers.
But Mandurah wasn’t without its bright spots, as Lachlan Bray joined Mulcahy and Bennell as their shining lights, while Jay Walton played a solid game.
The victory keeps Pinjarra just two points behind the top-spot Baldivis Brumbies, who picked up a win over Waroona on Saturday.
Pinjarra’s quest for first place continues when they host Halls Head next week, while Mandurah will look to break a 13-game cold streak when they travel to Waroona for a battle of the bottom two.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
