Buds blast off in Nepean league finals with impressive win over Frankston Bombers

THE Rosebud juggernaut rolls on.The Buds made a cracking start to the Nepean finals on Saturday, storming past Frankston.

Frankston's Jason Kingsbury thumps the Bombers forward against Rosebud in the qualifying final on Saturday. Picture: James Ross

THE Rosebud juggernaut rolls on.

The Buds made a cracking start to the Nepean finals on Saturday, storming past Frankston in the qualifying final at Frankston Park to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.

With Keegan Downie bagging six goals and Jackson McRae leading the way, Rosebud cranked into gear in the second quarter, slamming on seven goals to swamp Frankston.

A breeze was blowing to the Kars St end and both sides made the most of it – Rosebud more so.

Frankston had it in the first quarter and kicked 6.4 to Rosebud’s 1.4, to sprint to a 30-point lead.

The Bombers finished the term full of momentum when Nathan Lonie thumped a goal from outside 50, and Zac Longham slotted one after the siren.

Buds fans were concerned, but they need not worry.

Tom Stoffels and McRae banged through goals in the opening minutes of the second term as Rosebud’s running game got going.

Frankston's Zac Longham with the ball.

Downie kicked three goals in a row and brother Sean one as Rosebud surged to a 10-point lead at halftime.

Frankston regained the lead in the third quarter but Rosebud, coming home with the breeze, fired off four goals in the last term to secure a 14.15 (99) to 12.8 (80) win and book a place in the second semi-final.

McRae, strong and composed, was outstanding at centre half-back on Bombers coach Beau Muston (three goals) and deserved his best-on-ground honours.

Keegan Downie finished with six goals and worked hard for each of them, while Sean Downie, Matt Baker, Jake Corrin and Ben Dwyer also played key roles.

Frankston’s best were Dale Sutton, Josh Chapman and Matt Harris.

Frankston's Corey Buchan springs for a mark against Rosebud.

Muston said Rosebud was “hungrier’’ at stoppages.

“They were the best side all day, there’s no doubt,” Muston said.

“We definitely got a lesson at stoppages. Rosebud were really strong, contested and were hungrier than what our mids were. Full credit to Rosebud.”

Frankston prime mover Sam Fox took virtually no part after sustaining a significant corky in the first 10 minutes, while key player Alex Harnett missed (he made his VFL debut with Richmond).

Muston said both would be back in the side for this Sunday’s first semi-final.

Meanwhile, Rosebud skipper Greg Bentley won his second best and fairest award on Saturday night, four votes ahead of Sean Downie.

On Sunday, reigning premier Hastings ended Red Hill’s season with a 36-point win in the elimination final, 12.8 (80) to 5.14 (44). Big James Marasco was best-on-ground for the Blues, who will tackle Frankston in the first semi-final on Sunday.

Rosebud's Brenton Payne (right) tries to beat his Frankston opponent to the ball.

In Peninsula league, Edithvale-Aspendale coach Graeme Yeats says his in-form side is in a “really good head space at the moment’’ after dispatching Bonbeach by 37 points in the qualifying final at Frankston Park on Sunday.

The Eagles, who have won 12 of their past 13 games, are now only one win away from a grand final berth.

“We think mentally we are in a good place and physically we’ve never been better,’’ Yeats said.

“So, I guess the stars have aligned to a certain degree and we’re in good shape at the right time of the year.’’

Edi-Asp kicked five goals in the opening quarter to sprint to an 18-point lead and Bonbeach never threatened as the Eagles won 12.8 (80) to 6.7 (43).

Edi-Asp had contributors all over the ground. Matt Clark and Tim Mannix were tough in the midfield, while Mick Meehan provided a strong target up forward, kicking two, and high-leaping Michael Bussey, whose eight games this season have all been wins, worked well in tandem with ruckman Chris Wylie.

“Our ball handling skills were really good,’’ Yeats said.

“We were tough because the opposition were really physical with us. We talked about absorbing finals-type pressure and counter attacking off the back of contested efforts. All the things we’ve been working on have been coming off.’’

Bonbeach coach Steve Hughes made no excuses, conceding Edi-Asp were “just better’’.

“The margin was spot on in my mind, they were probably a six-goal better side on the day,’’ Hughes said.

“I just thought we made bad decisions with the footy and probably got done at the stoppages again which has happened twice against them now. They deserved to win.

“We have to move on pretty quickly, with a six-day break. It was a disappointing day but we’ve got the double chance, that’s what it’s there for.’’

The big dance is within reach for Edi-Asp, which will meet reigning premiers Frankston YCW in the second semi-final at Frankston Park on Sunday, while Bonbeach faces Pines in the first semi-final at Chelsea on Saturday.

Bonbeach has not beaten Pines in three years, but Hughes says his side can respond.

“We’ve just got to get it right this week,’’ Hughes said.

“I’ve still got a pretty firm belief that we’re a very good footy side. But it’s sudden death now for us…we’re probably the underdog now which is fine by me. We haven’t beaten Pines in three years so it would be nice to beat them in the sudden death one.’’

Pines made an explosive start to the Peninsula league finals on Saturday, thrashing Mt Eliza by 85 points in the elimination final.

With Tim Bongetti kicking five goals, the Pythons won 15.15 (105) to 2.8 (20) at Chelsea.

“We smashed them at the clearances — that was the big key,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“We were plus 10 at centre clearances and plus 23 around the ground. And we haven’t done that all year to anybody.

“We’ve been pretty good at the stoppages, but nothing like that — that was ridiculous.

“We were 33 overall for clearances, which then meant we went inside 50 35 more times than them.’’

Former Seymour midfield star Paul “Chewy’’ Scanlon was at the heart of the Pines’ dominance, winning the ball repeatedly.

With five flags under his belt, Scanlon is a proven finals performer.

Nick Boswell, Brad Kiely and Luke Potts, despite being tagged, also put their stamp on the game, while Guy Hendry was good down back for the Pythons.

Mt Eliza sorely lacked a key forward — Justin Van Unen missed the last month with a leg injury.

Shane Tennant tried hard for the Redlegs, taking plenty of strong grabs, but they lacked manpower.

Pines have hit their straps at the right time.

The Pythons’ past three wins have been by 60, 61 and 85 points, and they go into this weekend’s first semi-final feeling confident.

Meanwhile, there was a great act of sportsmanship in the reserves elimination final between Pines and Frankston YCW on Saturday.

When young Pines player Liam Jackson was knocked out in an accidental collision, YCW player Marco Kelsall — a surf lifesaver trained in first aid — went straight into first-aid mode and got him into recovery position, even staying with him after trainers got there.

“It was a really good act of sportsmanship. I’ve been involved in it for 30 years and that’s one of the best I’ve seen,’’ Swayn said.

Jackson sustained fractures to the face and shoulder.