Edi-Asp show mental toughness and skill to upset reigning champs Frankston YCW

EDI-ASP coach Graeme Yeats says it’s too early to label his side a contender, despite its impressive 28-point win over powerhouse Frankston YCW.

Langwarrin’s Dale Binks and Bonbeach’s James Murnane battle for possession. Picture: Chris Eastman

EDI-ASP coach Graeme Yeats says it’s too early to label his side a contender, despite its impressive 28-point win over powerhouse Frankston YCW at Coburn Oval on Saturday.

With Mick Meehan kicking six goals and big Chris Wylie dominating, the Eagles got on top of the Stonecats in the last quarter to win 14.13 (97) to 10.9 (69) and give their strongest signal yet that they have taken a big leap forward.

At 6-4, Edi-Asp are in sixth spot, knocking on the door of the five.

“I wouldn’t have thought we were a contender just yet,’’ Yeats said.

“We have proven we can play good footy but on the flip side if we’re not quite switched on and ready for that real combative part of the game we can get whipped pretty easily.’’

Yeats said Edi-Asp had a simple plan to match Frankston YCW around the contest, and it worked.

Bradley Tagg was outstanding, along with young forward Darcy Warke (three goals), ex-Dolphin Matt Clark and league medallist Tim Mannix.

“We scrapped when we had to scrap and we played some really good outside running footy when we had to,’’ Yeats said. “It wasn’t a complete performance but it was just a very disciplined, mature game by our players.

“We are a different team now, we are just a bit more mature, a bit stronger, a little bit tougher mentally.’’

Langwarrin’s Andrew Borrie launches. Picture: Chris Eastman

Bonbeach forward James Murnane celebrates his first goal for the day. Picture: Chris Eastman

It was Frankston YCW’s second loss of the season and the Stonecats have also lost top spot to Bonbeach, which dispatched bottom side Langwarrin by 72 points to make it six wins in a row.

Bonny burst out of the blocks to lead 7.1 to 0.0 at quarter time. A youthful Langwarrin fought back but Bonbeach, with Trent Dennis-Lane kicking seven goals and Shane McDonald four, won 17.8 (110) to 5.8 (38).

It’s been a testing season for Langwarrin (0-10) but coach Brad Dredge said his young side was gaining valuable experience. He praised his players for fighting it out against Bonbeach after a bad start.

“We’ve got an average of about 21 at the moment,’’ he said.

“Mental lapses will happen but to be able to turn it around and be competitive for the next three quarters … a lot of other young teams would have thrown in the towel. We had five teenagers playing.’’

Langwarrin coach Brad Dredge at quarter time. Picture: Chris Eastman

Dredge said Langwarrin was on the right track and supporters needed to stick fat.

“The spirit is quite good in the group when you consider the scoreboard,’’ he said.

“For us as a coaching group we just focus on the areas we need to improve. If we are focusing on the wins and losses then you are not going to sleep too well.’’

Dredge said 17-year-old Liam O’Halloran continues to play good footy, along with Kieran Albanese, Mitch Cuthbert, Michael Parker and Gerard Brown.

Mt Eliza champ Darren Booth made a successful comeback from illness as the Redegs turned the tables on Chelsea with an all-the-way 11.16 (82) to 8.4 (52) win at Madsen Reserve. Justin Van Unen (four goals) and Shane Tennant (three) were lively up forward for the Redlegs.

Pines turned a nine-point quarter-time deficit into a runaway 54-point win over Mornington.

And Seaford, with Rourke Fischer starring, came from 17 points behind at halftime to beat Karingal by 23 points, 12.14 (86) to 9.9 (63) at Frankston Park. Aaron Walton kicked four goals, Tom Lonie three and Jono Haidon three for the Tigers. Karingal’s best were ex-Dolphins Aisea Valetini and Andrew McInnes.