Baldivis in top start

Baldivis Football Club got their Peel Football League season off to a winning start last Saturday afternoon after they defeated rivals Rockingham Rams by 28 points at Baldivis Oval, 13.9 (87) to 8.11 (59).

Both sides took turns at hitting the front before Baldivis’ experience steered them home against a young Rams outfit.

With Baldivis coach Craig Hamersley missing two key forwards, Brieghton Shea stepped into the forward line and delivered an electric performance, kicking four goals.

Jacob Brownley stepped up in the ruck in the absence of Kyle Westwood, while Sam Barndon also delivered a huge performance out of the back line.

“We’re happy to get the four points — get off to that quick start we were looking for and not have a repeat of round 1 last year,” Hamersley said. “We were really scrappy in the first half so that was something we spoke about at length at half-time.

“Our skill errors were really starting to cost us and that was leading into poor decision making.

“Second half of the third quarter and into the last, the boys started to clean that up a bit and obviously we pulled away.”

Rockingham coach Scott Franklin was upbeat after the loss and said his young side competed well but did not make the most of their chances.

“We dominated the first 10 minutes of the last quarter but kicked five points and then they ran down the other end and kicked a goal and that sort of just gave them a bit of a lift,” Franklin said.

“When our contested footy was good we were right in it. It dropped away towards the end and that’s when they got on top of us.

“If we tidy up those things we’ll be OK. They are a hard team to beat on their home ground.”

Zayne Selkirk was the stand-out performer for the Rams.

This Saturday, Rockingham welcome Mandurah to Anniversary Park, while Baldivis will head south to face 2017 runners-up Waroona at Parnell Street.

Bounce-down for both games is at 4.30pm.