PFNL 2018: Baldivis hold on to top spot with impressive win over Centrals

Coach Craig Hamersley labelled the performance one of the ladder leaders’ best this season, as a dominant third quarter led his Brumbies past the Blues 13.10 (88) to 15.15 (105).

The visitors had the early jump in what promised to be a thrilling affair between first and third place heading in, as they piled up four goals in the opening quarter.

Majors to Centrals’ Callum Collard, Jacob Martinez and Paul Mugambwa kept the Blues within a goal at the first break.

The deadlock refused to separate in the second, with the scores getting even tighter as Collard and Lee Murray both booted a pair of goals to bring the hosts within a point at half time.

But Baldivis found a rhythm that helped them take control coming out of the long break, piling up five goals to Centrals’ two as Brendan Tingey, Emmanuel Collard and Kyle Smith helped them to a 23-point lead heading into the fourth.

The home side fired back with Daniel Wilson notching two of their four goals in the final term, but it wasn’t enough to extend their win streak to nine as Baldivis snapped the hottest run of form from any team this season.

Tingey received top best on ground votes for his efforts, while Blaine Johnson led the way with four goals.

More PFNL:

Collard snared his own four-goal bag for the Blues, while Christopher Lee got the nod as their best.

Hamersley said the display was one of the best he’s seen from his 2018 group, and heaped praise on his on-field leaders in the wake of the win.

“I thought our chemistry across the board, particularly between the coaching group and the players, was fantastic,” he said.

“To see guys like Collard, Tingey and Dann all making on-field adjustments and fixing things that need to be fixed mid-game is exactly what we need.

“It’s probably the first game all season we’ve had everyone on the same page.”

The victory sets up what promises to be the game of the year next week, as Baldivis takes on the second-placed Pinjarra in a battle that will determine who takes out this year’s minor premiership.

Hamersley said his side would look to stay “tuned in” to their structures ahead of the clash, but conceded it would be a huge game for both clubs.

“That week off you get for finishing first is a huge thing in this league, so we know this is going to be a big day and we know both us and Pinjarra are going to throw everything we’ve got at each other,” he said.

“But having said that, we need to recognise we had some great success with the structures we used over the weekend and just look to stick to them during the week.”

Baldivis’ clash with Pinjarra will be held at Baldivis Oval this coming Saturday, 2.30pm.