Emotional day at Dromana as Tigers claw their way to a one-point win over Hastings

DROMANA champ Adam Hunter led the Tigers out on to the ground on Saturday, eight months after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Peninsula league football match between Frankston YCW and Mt Eliza at Jubillee Park. Mt Eliza midfielder Ben Lean

THERE were emotional sce­nes at Dromana on Saturday when cancer sufferer Adam Hunter led out his ­beloved Tigers against Hastings in Nepean league.

One of the best players to pull on a boot for Dromana, Hunter was diagnosed with bowel cancer late last year after playing in the Tigers’ 2013 premiership.

Although his playing career has been put on hold, he has remained an integral part of the club, even training with the side last week.

Hunter’s appearance on Saturday coincided with Dromana’s fundraising day for research into bowel cancer. Dromana wore its old Tigers jumpers and after the game auctioned them off to raise money.

In wintry conditions, Dromana’s Anthony Bruhn kicked the only goal of the last quarter to help the ­Tigers defeat Hastings by a point, 8.11 (59) to 7.16 (58).

Hastings’ day was soured further by a serious injury to its playing-coach Brendan Dunne, who badly broke his arm in an innocuous tackle just before half time.

Dromana coach Doug Koop said Hunter’s appearance inspired his team.

“I put it on the players that they were representing Adam Hunter today,’’ Koop said. “For bloke who has done so much for Dromana, it was great to get a win, even though it was an ugly win.’’

Koop said Hunter was in good shape and even hinted at a possible comeback.

“He trained with us both nights last week and trained as well as anyone,’’ he said.

“He’s a determined bugger. So resilient. He might surprise a few people later in the season.’’

Dromana has won seven games in a row, yet Koop said his side was still a month away from playing its best footy.

Meanwhile, Rosebud’s four-game winning streak was halted by a fast-finishing Crib Point.

The Magpies, with Glenn Boyd kicking three of his four goals in the last quarter, rattled home to win by 11 points, 11.11 (77) to 9.12 (66). Dean Warry and Brad Arnold burrowed in for Cribby.

Rye climbed back into the five after an all-the-way 31-point win over Pearcedale, with Rhett Sutton, Ryan Semmel and Adam Kirkwood showing the way.

Michael Mock and Nick Bateman shone in the gloom at Red Hill as the home side saw off Devon Meadows by 56 points.

Sorrento fired off 22 goals as it dispatched of Tyabb by 119 points. Ryan Jeffery, Leigh Poholke and Dave Lawson all booted four goals in the win.

The Frankston Bombers came from behind to edge out Somerville by two points and bank their third win of the season.

The Bombers showed plenty of spirit during the match, inspired by James Degenhardt, Duncan Proud, Mitch Bosward.

Not even a wintry blast of wind and rain could stop Pines’ resurgence in Peninsula league.

The Pythons, with Guy Hendry slotting seven goals, banked their third successive win when they held off a fast-finishing Langwarrin at a windswept Lloyd Park.

Pines kicked six of the first seven goals and held on to win by 12 points, 12.10 (82) to 9.16 (70). With their tails up, Pines are only a game out of the five.

On a difficult day for goalkicking, Hendry was magnificent as he steered through crucial goals to give Pines a 31-point lead by quarter time. Chris Guganovic, Jake Berry and Matt Goodman attacked the footy with gusto as the Pythons stayed in front.

Seaford improved its record to 3-7 with a late-charging 29-point win over Chelsea.

The Tigers trailed all game before unleashing six unanswered goals in the last quarter to win 12.20 (92) to 9.9 (63). Johnathan Haidon, Matt Herbert, Dean Kemble and Mitchell Finn sparked the comeback.

Sam Wettenhall kicked four of Mt Eliza’s seven goals, but the Redlegs were beaten by Frankston YCW, 88-44. The Stonecats kept Mt Eliza scoreless in the opening quarter before surging to a 9.5 to 2.1 lead by half-time.

Josh Pickess, Tony Lester and Brenton Credlin ran all game for YC.

At Regents Park, late goals by Ben Gott and Jeremy Heys clinched a gripping 13-point win for reigning premier Edi-Asp over Bonbeach.

The grand final rematch was another tense duel between the Eagles and Sharks, who have developed a great rivalry. Edi-Asp full-forward Jarrod Garth slotted five goals and Tim Mavric burrowed in.

At Alexandra Park, James Cameron booted four goals in a best-on-ground display to help Mornington return to winning form, trouncing Karingal by 84 points, 20.23 (143) to 9.5 (59).

Emilio Bitters, Stuart Seager (three goals each) and Luke Lewis also impressed as the Bulldogs climbed to third spot.