Pinjarra moved into top spot for the first time this season and star Brumbies midfielder Eddy Dann was reported for striking in a fiery clash at Baldivis Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Dann was booked by the field umpires for striking Tiger Rob Beswick as tempers flared at three quarter time, but Pinjarra kept their composure and made a statement with an 8.7 (55) to 16.5 (101) win over the ladder leaders just two weeks out of finals.
The match was booked as the game of the year heading in, but it failed to live up to expectations for fans as Pinjarra’s midfield dominance was a catalyst for the reigning premiers.
Beswick, Rohan Kerr and brothers Rory and Josh O’Brien put in stunning efforts to quell an extremely talented Baldivis engine room, as they got the best of star mids Brendan Tingey and Emmanuel Collard.
Their electric midfield play paved the way for the visitor’s forward line to cause headaches for the Brumbies defenders, with Leroy Jetta having a field day in the win.
The Tigers booted the first six goals of the day, including a four goal to zip first quarter that helped them set the tone.
Callan Eddy opened their account with an accurate set shot from distance and Mitch Brown also got on the board in the first as the premiership fancies used the switch to perfection.
The second term was Jetta’s time to shine, as the former AFL talent nailed four goals in the term to see the Tigers out to a 38-point lead at the half.
A physical and intense affair led to tempers flaring several times in the third, particularly when Aaron Bowers got tied up with Pinjarra’s Brock O’Brien off the ball.
But Rory O’Brien remained the difference as he created goals for teammates Brown and Jetta with a pair of perfectly delivered inside 50m entries.
A melee spilled out when Dann was booked for striking Beswick and shown a red card at the end of third, which came as the result from an incident involving the Baldivis mid and Pinjarra forward Brennan Gillam.
But the sting went out of the game in the fourth term, as Pinjarra cruised to the victory.
The loss ousts Baldivis from top spot for the first time since the opening rounds of the season, while the Tigers look primed for another deep finals run after extending their win streak to five consecutive victories.
The Brumbies will face another tough test next week hitting the road to take on South Mandurah, while Pinjarra go up against cellar dwellers Mandurah.