Mornington into Peninsula league grand final after win over Bonbeach
MORNINGTON will contest its first grand final in 10 years after a stirring 16-point win over Bonbeach in yesterday’s Peninsula league preliminary final at Frankston Park.
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MORNINGTON will contest its first grand final in 10 years after a stirring 16-point win over Bonbeach in yesterday’s Peninsula league preliminary final at Frankston Park.
The Bulldogs trailed by 39 points at half-time but piled on 11 goals to Bonbeach’s three in the second half to win 14.11 (95) to 12.7 (79).
After finishing in fourth spot, Mornington has won three do-or-die finals — gathering momentum in each — to reach the decider.
It will meet a fresh Frankston YCW in the grand final on Sunday at Frankston Park.
In a classic game of two halves, Bonbeach dominated Mornington in the opening two quarters.
Sharks skipper Shane McDonald was at his dynamic best, kicking five goals before half-time — including the last three of the second quarter as Bonbeach, 39 points up, took total control of the game. But in a complete turnaround, Mornington came out in the third term re-energised.
Bulldogs playing-coach Stuart Seager got them going, swooping on a crumb to kick a goal in the opening minute, and the Bulldogs were up and about.
Man mountain ruckman Mick Gay gave first use to his midfielders and Michael Williams became a focal point in attacking, kicking two goals in the quarter.
Mornington booted seven successive goals to snatch the lead late in the third term; Warwick Miller’s lunging left boot putting the Doggies ahead.
Bonbeach’s Daniel Smith kicked the last goal of the third term to halt the Bulldogs’ charge and regain the lead for the under-siege Sharks, who went into the last break three points ahead but running on empty.
During the break, the wind swung around and strengthened, blowing towards the bay end — to which Mornington was kicking in the last quarter.
It helped. Mornington peppered the goals in the opening 10 minutes of the last term, kicking five behinds to get three points ahead. Against the flow of play, Bonbeach’s McDonald broke free, took a bounce and coolly slotted a goal to wrench back the lead.
But Mornington had the momentum and was soon back in front after Dale Nolan kicked truly and then Jackson Calder stood tall under pressure.
With four minutes left, Brad Sykes kept Bonbeach’s hopes alive when he sneaked one through. But Calder answered and, with a minute left, a 50-metre penalty saw Adrian Speedy kick the sealer.
When the siren sounded, Bonbeach players slumped to the ground, the realisation hitting that they’d blown another big lead in a final.
Mornington had a bunch of matchwinners. Danny Nolan was influential as he threw himself into the contest in the second half, Gay was heroic in the ruck, Chris Paxino tremendous and Miller outstanding.
For Bonbeach, McDonald finished with six goals.
*PENINSULA league Grand Final day, September 21, at Frankston Park:
Seniors: Frankston YCW v Mornington. Reserves: Mt Eliza v Frankston YCW. Under 18s: Mt Eliza v M’ton.
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