MPNFL 2021: Pearcedale beats Chelsea to open account in Division 2

A crop of exciting youngsters has fired Pearcedale to its first win in two years in MPNFL Division 2.

Luke Settineri on the move for Pearcedale. Picture: Doug Farr

Pearcedale coach Justin Hamilton said his side’s drought-breaking win over Chelsea on Saturday could be a turning point.

The Dales fired off five goals in the last quarter to secure a 16-point victory — their first since round one of the 2019 season.

“This win has probably been coming since pre-season, 2020,” Hamilton said on Sunday.

“It showed what I’ve been trying to get through to them, that with a little bit of trust in each other and belief in what we can actually do, it can turn pretty quickly once you get that amongst the group.”

Adding even more excitement to the win, Pearcedale’s best players were under 19s Cruiz West and Luke Settineri.

West slotted three goals from half forward, while Settineri ran rampant on a wing as the Dales went up a gear after trailing by 10 points at half-time.

Young midfielder Luke Daniel also kicked three goals to continue his slick start to the season — he has eight goals in three games and has been in the best players each week.

“He’s a young kid who has only probably played 15 games of senior footy,” Hamilton said of Daniel.

“He’s a bigger bodied kid who just uses the ball really well, he’s really smart and he’s going to be a really good player.”

Pearcedale coach Justin Hamilton. Picture: Doug Farr

Another young talent, Kaolan Thornton, also impressed, kicking two goals, and Connor Benwell, Riley Bradshaw and Trent Robertson turned in strong performances.

For Chelsea, Curtis Bywater and Jack Francis kicked three goals apiece and Shaun Foster was its best player.

Pearcedale only had two goals on the board at half-time, and five at three quarter time, but almost doubled its score in a decisive final term.

Hamilton said the Dales’ midfield stepped up when the game was up for grabs in the last quarter.

“We were able to break away from centre clearances,” he said.

“We are virtually leading hit outs in the competition so it means we’re getting our hands on the footy.

“Yesterday in that last quarter we were winning the tap outs but we were able to actually get the centre clearances and drive it deep into the forward line and get results.”

Pearcedale’s reserves side got the ball rolling with a thumping 104-point win over Chelsea, 18.10 (118) to 2,2 (14).

Declan Albert fired off six goals, while Dillon Duncan and Ryan Mitchell kicked three apiece.

Pearcedale faces ladder leaders Rye under lights at Rye next Saturday.