A look at every Division 1 club leading into the 2023 Mornington Peninsula league season
The bounce of the ball to start the 2023 MPFNL Division 1 season is only days away. Here’s a club-by-club guide to the year ahead.
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The first bounce of the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League season is just days away and anticipation is high.
In Division 1, three intriguing matches get the season going on Saturday; last season’s preliminary final combatants Bonbeach and Frankston Bombers go head-to-head for the Chris Bull Cup, reigning Division 2 and 1 premiers Langwarrin and Frankston YCW face off, and Pines tackle Mt Eliza.
Here’s how all 10 Division 1 clubs shape up.
BONBEACH
Coach: Adrian Connolly
Last year: 13-5
State of play: Grand finalists last season, the Sharks have picked up former AFL-Saint Sam Dunell. But they’ve also lost a stack of experience, with skipper Jackson Casey and Shane McDonald joining Noble Park and David Armitage moving to Queensland. A young and energetic Bonbeach will look to new co-skippers Beau Bailey and Mitch Gent, as well as Owen Hulett and rising stars Jet Peckett and Calvin Lee to set the standard in 2023. Bonny will have their ups and downs but their youngsters are exciting.
DROMANA
Coach: Matt Price
Last year: 10-6
State of play: All eyes will be on star recruit Jake Aarts. The ex-Richmond 42-gamer was inundated with offers from suburban clubs after being delisted by the Tigers in October, but he chose Dromana where two of his closest mates, Jordy Andrews and Kane Hughes, play. “He’s going to be dangerous at this level,” Dromana coach Matt Price said. Aarts, 28, played some exhilarating football at AFL level as a small forward and he will give the Dromana side a sharp edge. Dromana looks like fielding a strong side, with ex-Collingwood VFL forward Sam Fowler and former Gold Coast Suns AFL-listed Sam Fletcher playing full-time. Mercurial forward Ethan Johnstone has also returned to the jungle. After finishing fourth last season, Dromana will be a genuine contender in 2023.
FRANKSTON BOMBERS
Coach: John Brown
Last year: 10-8
State of play: The Bombers have a new coach in former Frankston Dolphins VFL assistant and EFL premiership coach John Brown, who replaces long serving Beau Muston at the helm. After playing off in the preliminary final last season, the Bombers have lost some good players, most notably Sam Fox, Dylan Sutton and Jake Greeley, all to Tyabb, but they still have two of the league’s best big men in Khan Haretuku and Harry Prior, as well as skipper Alex Harnett and former AFL forward Jarrad Grant. The Bombers have also picked up former Geelong, Werribee and Frankston VFL ruckman Jack Berry, as well as Sandringham Zebras VFL-listed Sam Latrielle. Dolphins academy squad member Lachlan Robinson is another Bombers newcomer. Cameron Price (Mt Eliza), Noah Hura (back from Western Australia), Max Milward (Frankston YCW) and Vermont forward Mick Maio also strengthen the list.
FRANKSTON YCW
Coach: Paul Goonan
Last year: 16-2
State of play: The Stonecats start the season as the team to beat after winning last season’s premiership. YCW dropped only two games as they motored to their eighth premiership in 12 years and, although they’ve lost some key players, including former AFL defender Dylan Roberton, who has crossed to rivals Pines, they’ll be strong again. Star young Stonecat Henry Berenger will play with Subiaco in the WAFL and big Bailey Schmidt has moved to Queensland for work, opening the door for Zach Barrett to be YC’s number one ruckman. League medallist Blake Mullane is set for another big season, and watch for teenagers Heath Bidgood and Jimmy Cahill to make an impact.
LANGWARRIN
Co-Coaches: Josh Beard and Blake McCormack
Last year: 17-0
State of play: After winning the Division 2 flag, the Kangaroos step up to the top grade and will look to be competitive. They’ve regained Tim McGenniss from Dingley and noted goalkicker Curtis Bywater. But former Essendon player Mark Baguley is unlikely to play. Gun defender Mitch Cuthbert is trying his luck at Frankston in the VFL. Langy’s leadership group is made up of Blake Peach, Luke Churcher, Blake Harkness, Nick Hammill, Joel Bateman, Josh Bateman and Jaiden Jakubenko, while there’s a plethora of young guns looking to establish themselves. Brodie Carpenter, Brodie Tibballs, Jye Molli, Harry Marks, Ben Charles, Max Poulios, Jack Orchard, Michael Mullins and Riley Staggard are just some of Langy’s young talent. Harry Tully from Frankston YCW and Harrison Paul from Somerville have been excellent late inclusions.
MT ELIZA
Coach: Steve Brattle
Last year: 12-6
State of play: The Redlegs will have ex-Melbourne skipper and former junior Nathan Jones for a handful of games this season, his first appearance coming in Round 7. Former Carlton-listed Fraser Phillips is full-time with Mt Eliza this season while co-captains Nathan Scagliarini and Braden Nelmes will drive the Redlegs’ quest for a flag. Mt Eliza will have several players on VFL lists this season, including Tommy Freeman at Casey and Will Lambert at Port Melbourne. As far as departures go, Mt Eliza has lost the Rouse twins, Jordan and Zach, to Kangaroo Flat in the Bendigo league, and Bayleigh Welsh to Frankston Bombers. Last season’s captain Shane Tennant is travelling around Australia with his family.
PINES
Coach: Paddy Swayn
Last year: 9-8-1
State of play: The Pythons have added some key recruits, including Dylan Roberton, Rye’s Jarrod Richards and former VFL key position player Alex Spencer, to compliment Shane Savage, Russell Gabriel and the Hendry brothers. Pines young guns Max Urwin and Jarrod Gatt are raring to go after doing pre season at VFL club Frankston. Jono Haidon to play more this season. And young gun Ned Moodie will play when he doesn’t get a VFL game.
RED HILL
Coach: Jamie Mollo
Last year: 7-10-1
State of play: The Hillmen have recruited well, adding two former AFL players: former Brisbane Lion Josh Clayton and ex-Western Bulldog Josh Prudden. Clayton spent three years with the Lions, playing two AFL games in 2016. Prudden made a handful of senior appearances for the Western Bulldogs and also captained their VFL side. He will play as a mid-forward for Red Hill. Also, Bayley Cole has come across from Mt Eliza and will add grunt to the Red Hill midfield and Jake Mold has returned from Caroline Springs. The Hillmen have also re-signed their Richmond VFL players. Jonah Siversen will again captain Red Hill, although he may miss the first few games after tweaking a knee in a practice match. Champion Chris Irving fired off 11 goals in a reserves praccy game last week and is in for another strong season.
SORRENTO
Coach: Leigh Poholke
Last year: 8-10
State of play: The Sharks have enjoyed a productive off-season, securing half-a-dozen recruits, headlined by Subiaco WAFL star Chad Harris. Harris’ Subiaco teammates Aaron Brennan, a 6’3 key forward, and midfielder Jack Beverley, who won a best and fairest at his club in Perth last year, have also joined Sorrento. Rosebud best and fairest winner and former Essendon VFL midfielder Liam McKenna is a key inclusion. Nick Jamieson, a former Footscray VFL best and fairest winner, is another notable signing. He played in a VFL premiership with the Doggies and was a VFL team of the year selection. Aaron Paxton is back, while Sorrento’s other recruits include Jared Risol, Tom Richards, Charlie Maxwell and Bassirou Faye, who signed with Collingwood in 2021 on an International Rookie Scholarship. But the Sharks have also had some big outs, notably Mitch Hallahan, Nick Corp, Daniel Grant, Nick Wood, Daniel Hughes and Jon Croad.
ROSEBUD
Coach: Danny Ades
Last year: 2-16
State of play: Former Dingley coach Danny Ades takes the reins, keen to build on the club’s proud history. Cranbourne premiership players Jake Carosella and Luca Bellinvia are the Buds main recruits along with St Kilda City midfielder Johlrhys Youse. The teenager played alongside Dane Swan in Southern league Division 1 last season. Ades says Rosebud is fit and aiming to improve.
DIVISION 1
Teams: Bonbeach, Dromana, Frankston Bombers, Frankston YCW, Langwarrin, Mt Eliza, Pines, Red Hill, Rosebud, Sorrento
Reigning premier/runner-up: Frankston YCW/Bonbeach
Reigning best and fairest: Blake Mullane (Frankston YCW)
2022 leading goalkicker: Jarrad Grant (Frankston Bombers) 62
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