On a high-stakes afternoon at the Harry Mac, the Pirates’ fell just short in a fiery arm-wrestle, missing the mark by 8 points.

The tempo was set early as the Pirates’ kicked the opening three goals to take a nine-point buffer into the second term. The second quarter remained tight throughout the second quarter as both sides traded blows in a heavily congested contest.

George Fletcher provided a crucial goal late in the term, slotting a classy left foot snap to steady the ship after successive majors from the visitors. The Pirates continued to stay within arms reach as both sides found avenues to goal. Despite missed set shots keeping the Pirates’ in touch, St Bedes’ went into the rooms at half time with a 15 point advantage.

The premiership quarter belonged entirely to St Bedes, as the visitors lifted their work rate at the coalface and took control of general play. Capitalising on costly turnovers, the Tigers opened the second-half scoring with back to back majors and a flurry of inside 50's.

The Pirates’ struggled to clear their defensive half under immense heat, with Ryley Quint providing the lone bright spot of the term by slotting a much-needed goal on the back of a costly turnover. St Bedes continued to push, however, finding the big sticks once again to cap off a dominant three goal to one quarter. By three-quarter time, the Tigers had established a commanding 26-point lead, leaving the Pirates’ with plenty to think about heading into the last.

Refusing to surrender on with the game looking just about over, the Pirates’ launched a clinical fourth-quarter fightback that had the pavilion on its feet. Bails sparked the initial surge, finishing off a fluent coast-to-coast play. Minutes later, Cooper Denton pounced on a defensive turnover courtesy of Nelson Forrest to drop the margin back into single digits.

The momentum completely shifted as Luca Tonner and Craig Sanders kicked back-to-back goals—Sanders driving his straight out of a center clearance following brilliant service from Brendan Dunne—to put the Pirates right back on the heels of the Tigers. A set shot from deep in the pocket to give the boys the lead fell just inches wide, slamming into the far post, but sitting the margin at just 1 point.

Nelson Forrest was monumental all afternoon, leading the side with a best on performance alongside tireless efforts from Kurt, George Fletcher, Tommy De Haas, Ryley Quint, and Nat Turner.

Jesse Somdecerff gave the Pirates’ one last lifeline late in the quarter, converting another turnover goal set up by Nelson to cut the deficit right back to a goal. The Pirates had piled on five goals in a thrilling final term, but time ultimately ran out on the comeback effort, leaving the boys just 8 points short.