Sides slip to defeat

Baldivis Brumbies and Rockingham Rams both tasted defeat last Sunday afternoon, as a fast-finishing South Mandurah and a dominant Centrals outfit accounted for both local sides.

Baldivis 11.7 (73) started brightly against South Mandurah 12.12 (84) but a big third quarter from the Falcons turned the game on its head as the visitors ran out 11-point winners at Baldivis Oval to win their sixth game in a row.

Impressive performances from co-captain Kyle Westwood, Dan Griffin and four goals each from Eddy Dann and Manny Collard were not enough for the Brumbies, as coach Craig Hamersley lamented a flat third term from his side.

“We identified that as the quarter that let us down,” Hamersley said.

“We let them kick four in a row in about a 10-minute period and they got on top.

“For us, it’s all mental at the moment. We need to be able to string together four quarters of footy and so far that mental side hasn’t been there and we’ve got a bit of work to do.” Meanwhile, it was a day to forget for Rockingham, 9.10 (64), at Mundijong Oval, as the ladder-topping Centrals, 21.11 (137), were simply too good for a young Rams side that featured nine colts players.

Led by Ash McGrath, who booted six goals, Centrals had 11 goal scorers and were never threatened.

Rams coach Scott Franklin said while his side’s effort and intensity was fine, they simply turned the ball over way too easily.

“Every time we turned the ball over, Centrals went down the other and punished us,” Franklin said.

“When we play the style we want to play and execute it, we can match any team, but on the weekend we just couldn’t execute it.”

Tyler Sutton had an impressive day, kicking four goals for the Rams, while Tim Taylor and Steve Kenny also played well in the loss.

Both sides will look to get back to winning ways this weekend, with Baldivis travelling to Parnell Street to face Waroona, while Rockingham return to Anniversary Park against Halls Head.