MPNFL 2021: Pearcedale heading in the right direction in Division 2

Winning games and changing perceptions, Pearcedale is kicking goals — and plenty of them — in MPNFL Division 2.

Luke Daniel takes a mark for Pearcedale against Tyabb on Saturday. Picture: Doug Farr

Pearcedale’s young side continues to meet challenges head-on.

Its latest test came on Saturday when several players were injured before halftime in its game against Tyabb.

Depleted and with no bench in the second half, Pearcedale dug deep to pull away from the Yabbies and secure a 54-point victory, 15.11 (101) to 6.11 (47).

“We virtually played with 16 after halftime,’’ Pearcedale coach Justin “Boris” Hamilton said.

“It was a good character-building one for the boys, I thought.

“We were filling holes...they all stood up, I was very proud of them all.”

Pearcedale’s second win of the season was sparked by some scintillating play from midfield-forward gun Luke Daniel, who fired off four goals in the opening quarter.

Luke Daniel slots a goal. Picture: Doug Farr

Daniel finished with seven goals, following the six he booted against Karingal last week.

“He’s just so dangerous through the midfield and when he goes forward he just finds the goals. Just really exceptional,” Hamilton said of Daniel.

“He kicked three in three minutes.

“He probably gave off two or three so he could have finished with 10 nearly.”

Young Kaolan Thornton also impressed with his versatility and clean use of the footy.

Blake Eklund in the midfield, Chace Struth on a wing and ruckman Huw Jones also did well. Former Langwarrin forward Corey Hanger booted two goals and Luke Settineri continued his consistent form.

Finn Jakstas on the move for Pearcedale. Picture: Doug Farr

Two 17-year-olds, Finn Jakstas and Archie Mcguiness, played their first senior games and soaked up the atmosphere when the song was belted out in the room safter the game.

Mcguiness kicked two goals, his first early in the second quarter and his second tipping the Dales over the 100-point mark.

Five teenagers have made their Pearcedale senior debuts already this season.

Hamilton said Pearcedale had “plenty of sore boys”, with Jack Mcguiness (ankle), Jake Frawley (knee) and Tom Craven (ankle) all likely to miss this weekend’s clash with Seaford.

“We’ve had a pretty solid workload, training-wise,” he said.

“I think it’s helped with the results we’ve had so far. Mentally they’re a bit stronger and physically they’re stronger but I think with the kids it’s starting to take a toll so we will freshen them up a bit and take on Seaford.”

Pearcedale has taken strides forward this season after winning only one game in 2019.

Already this season the Dales have won two games (they beat Chelsea in round three).

And in the past two games Pearcedale has fired off 31 goals (it kicked 16 gloals when it lost to Karingal in round five).