Tigers end Demons reign

The four-year domination by Waroona in the Peel Football League ended on Sunday when the Pinjarra Tigers stormed home in the grand final and record a 25-point come-from-behind win at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

The 15.14 (104) to 12.7 (79) win broke a 12-year premiership drought for the Tigers.

Pinjarra kicked to the city scoring end and Bryce Thornton ensured the favourites were on the scoreboard early with the first major of the game.

Alan Wilson kicked the Demons first goal after a free kick which was followed by a screw kick from Mat Thomas to give Waroona the lead.

Goal-sneak Matt Battye was rewarded with a free kick behind the play and captain Owen McLarty was influential playing forward for the Tigers.

Matt Thomas made it level pegging for Waroona and when Thornton ran on to a spilled ball, Pinjarra led by seven points at the first break.

Waroona lifted their intensity in the second term and the Tigers, led by Griffin brothers Dwayne and Daniel, were under pressure.

Four goals for the second term by Wilson enabled the Demons to kick six goals to four for the second term.

Pinjarra were kept in the game by several costly turnovers by Waroona defenders and after a creative handball by Courtney Lakay to Jayden Derosa, Waroona was full of run.

A pressure kick by Paul Galloway for the Tigers allowed them to creep back within six points at the major break.

Early third-term goals by Kieran Ugle and Wilson, after a contested mark, threatened a serious upset by Waroona against the minor premiers.

Pinjarra were not using the breeze until Brock O ‘Brien read the contest to kick a much needed goal and Dwayne Griffin intercepted a pass out of defence to give Pinjarra momentum in a game of changing fortunes.

A contested mark by Ugle gave Waroona the lead by a solitary goal at the last break and the record crowd were enthralled by a classic grand final contest.

Pinjarra Coach Matt Templeton rolled the dice by placing Dylan Beswick into the forward line for the last quarter which had an immediate impact.

Their mosquito fleet of Robbie Beswick, Brayden Sutton and the courageous Mckenzie O’Brien were setting the tone and Brock O’Brien, with two monster goals from beyond the 50m arc set the scene.

Waroona pressed forward and Pinjarra forced a behind and then danger forward Wilson was run down in the goal area to show how desperate football wins finals.

James Staples broke free of his marksman Ryan McKinley for three goals supported by Dean Page and Glen Polmear and Pinjarra Tigers were full of run.

Waroona had no petrol left in the tank, with the margin not a true reading of how close the game was.