Pears who finished with 25 possessions pushed into the midfield in the last quarter of Saturday’s loss to Geelong as the coaching staff searched for a spark.
The 192cm defender once again provided important rebound out of defensive taking nine marks and finishing with five inside 50’s.
Hardingham continued his impressive form in recent weeks also providing drive out of defence collecting 25 disposals and 6 marks.
Coach Hayden Skipworth praised the performance of Hardingham after the match.
“We were a little bit undersized down back but he has been playing terrific,” Skipworth said.
“I thought Tayte Pears and him have really been the leaders of our team this last sort of three or four weeks.”
Alwyn Davey played three quarters in his return to football managing just 7 disposals.
“He was on limited time just coming back from that hamstring injury so it was good to see that he got through the game with no effects from that hamstring,” Development coach Paul Corrigan said post match.
“He will be better for it in the coming weeks as well which is good.”
Skipworth said the Bombers had lacked experience over the last month and it had shown in the close finishes.
“Obviously Nathan Lovett-Murray out and David Hille out, these guys were playing for us earlier in the year and they are both ten plus year players,” he said.
“To lose that experience has probably hurt us especially in the close games to have that leadership to get us over the line.”
“This time last year we went on a bit of a winning streak and won six in a row so hopefully we can win one of these close ones and the boys get a bit of confidence up we can ride that as long as we can.”
Cory Dell’Olio continued his purple patch of form booting four goals giving him nine in the last two weeks.
Key forward Joe Daniher finished the match with 10 marks and two goals.
