MPNFL: Pearcedale secures first finals ticket since 2013

Coach Peter Bastinac reveals what it means for the Dales, fuelled by an exciting crop of youngsters and a former skipper on the comeback trail, to be back in finals.

Without fanfare, he slipped back into Pearcedale’s side last month.

And former club captain Glenn Anderson has quickly become a key figure in the Dales’ run to the MPNFL Division 2 finals.

Anderson, on the comeback from a broken ankle, kicked a goal and provided a strong target up forward as Pearcedale beat Chelsea by 13 points in Round 18 on Saturday to secure fifth spot, punching its first finals ticket since 2013.

“Glenn Anderson coming into our team has really helped our forward structure,” Pearcedale coach Peter Bastinac said after the game.

“He’s been really important.”

In a virtual elimination final, Pearcedale got the jump on Chelsea, surging to a 22-point lead at the long break.

Glenn Anderson has been a terrific inclusion.

Ryan Bastinac (centre) on Saturday.

Kicking with a strong wind in the second quarter, the Dales made their winning move through goals by Jordan Bastinac, Cruiz West, Anderson and Luke Daniel.

West kicked two goals in the term, including one which appeared to be a pass to a teammate that caught the breeze and swung through the big sticks.

Chelsea made a late charge in the final quarter but Pearcedale held on, 13.10 (88) to 12.3 (75).

“Obviously there was a lot on the line for both teams and I think both teams played accordingly,” Bastinac said.

“It was a good game. I thought we controlled the game and then it got a bit tight in the last quarter.

“It was a good finish from our boys.”

Exciting Dales youngster Robbie Arnott capped a best-on-ground display with a goal, providing dash and dare on a wing and up forward.

“He’s just getting better and better each week, he’s a ripper,” Bastinac said of Arnott.

Pearcedale captain Jake Frawley led by example with another influential display, while the Dales’ midfield of Jordy Bastinac, Kaolan Thornton and Archie McGuiness combined well.

Big improver Nathan McKenzie was another to spark Pearcedale.

“Yeah, the boys are in good form,” Bastinac said.

West was outstanding with five goals, while Ryan Bastinac, playing his second game back after six weeks out with an ankle injury, got through unscathed.

“Physically he’s getting better each week,” Bastinac said of his son Ryan.

“He’s pulled up really well. It’s all positive.”

For Chelsea, champion Todd Gardiner tried hard along with Bradley Clark, Nicholas Stamatis and Simon Mitchelhill.

The Seagulls, after such a promising season, wound up in sixth spot.

But for Pearcedale, finals fever has returned for the first time in almost a decade.

“It means a lot mate,” Bastinac said of making finals.

“Because they’re such a young group and there’s so much room for improvement.

“There should be some success going forward with such a young list when you consider all the players we haven’t got available through injury, it’s been a very good performance from the boys all year.”

Bastinac said there were emotional scenes back at the club on Saturday night as the realisation the club was back in the finals set in.

“The president Jeff McGuiness, Sharon Bravo, Amanda Steadman...they’ve sort of held the club together in all the tough times and now they’re enjoying the success at the moment,” he said.

“It’s really good.

“The boys have been terrific.

“It’s going to be good to see them play in a final and see how they go.”

Pearcedale will face Devon Meadows in the elimination final at Chelsea on Sunday.

Devon Meadows will be playing its first finals game since 2001.