MPNFL: Pearcedale signs Peter and Ryan Bastinac

The Dales are hailing the recruitment of a decorated coach, and his former AFL player son, a “perfect fit” as they set about climbing the MPNFL Division 2 ladder.

Ryan Bastinac of the Lions celebrates a goal. Picture: Chris Hyde

Pearcedale was a powerful force in MPNFL in the 1990s.

The Dales won games for fun, including back-to-back premierships in 1995-96.

Now, the man who coached those flags, Peter Bastinac, is back at Tractor Park.

A quarter of a century after taking the Dales to their greatest moment, “Bushy” will again steer the ship.

He beat nine other coaching candidates to win the senior coaching job.

And significantly, Bastinac’s son Ryan, the former AFL Kangaroo and Lion, has also joined Pearcedale.

Ryan, 30, played 164 AFL games between 2010-19.

This year he played in the VFL with Aspley.

Pearcedale president Jeff McGuiness said the Bastinac boost would help continue the club’s rise.

Peter Bastinac is back for his third stint as Pearcedale coach.

There are few more experienced, or successful, local coaches than Peter Bastinac.

For the past four years he’s coached Eastern league Division 1 club Montrose. Last month Montrose president Damian White paid tribute to Bastinac.

“He’s done a magnificent job at our club, especially from where we were,” White said.

“When he came along four years ago, we needed some solidarity and he was able to bring that, and stability, he’s done a fantastic job.”

Brisbane Lions' Ryan Bastinac.

Bastinac was in his mid-20s when he coached Pearcedale for five seasons in the 1990s, taking the Dales to three grand finals, and two premierships.

This will be his third stint as Pearcedale coach, having also guided the club in 2007.

McGuiness said Bastinac’s coaching style would suit the young Dales.

“I know he’s a good coach anyway because I played under him,” McGuiness said.

“He’s a very professional coach.

“And he’s had all those years at the Stingrays as well, so the young group that we’ve got he’s going to fit in perfectly with their development.

“We had a heap of kids last year and we’ve got a heap more kids now so it’s onwards and upwards.”

Ryan Bastinac played in a Pearcedale under-16 premiership in 2007 before embarking on his journey to the elite level.

McGuiness said Ryan’s experience and skill would be a telling boost for Pearcedale’s on field.

“We’re a young group. Obviously Ryan will play in the centre and just guide them out there,” he said.

“They’re such a young group, they just need a bit of experience around them.

“I don’t think they come much better than that.”

McGuiness said more appointments were to come at Pearcedale.

“We just want to keep improving,” he said.

“Just keep taking steps each year. That’s our aim.”