Fierce-tackling Pines halts Frankston YCW’s 16-game winning streak

PINES ended Frankston YCW’s 16-game winning streak, while Mornington kicked a late goal to edge Bonbeach by a point and crack its duck egg in MPNFL Division 1 on Saturday.

Edithvale-Aspendale’s Sam Monaghan lunges for the ball in front of Frankston Bombers player Dale Sutton. Picture: Chris Eastman

PINES ended Frankston YCW’s 16-game winning streak, while Mornington kicked a late goal to edge Bonbeach by a point and crack its duck egg in MPNFL Division 1 on Saturday.

A fierce-tackling Pines beat YCW by 17 points in a low-scoring, high-pressure scrap at John Coburn Oval. No goals were scored in the last quarter but spectators rated the contest as one of the best of the season.

“It was just tackle pressure,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“We’ve done a heap of work on them (YCW), with video reviews and stuff. We’ve said that they’re the best tackle side in the comp by a long way and we’ve tried to emulate that. I suppose when you put two good tackling sides together you get a real low scoring game.’’

With a raft of key players out injured, including Ash Eames, Byron Barry, Brenton Credlin and Paul Minchington, Frankston YCW was probably ripe for the picking – and Pines pounced.

The Pythons were well served by Paul Scanlon, Tim Bongetti, Ben Thomas, Perry Lewis-Smith and Luke Potts, who was knocked out late in the game.

Guy Hendry went forward and kicked two goals in the third term, while Mick Bezzene and Khyal Jacobson suppled tackle pressure, and Corey Ash played an important midfield defensive role.

Frankston YCW’s loss was further soured when Angus Wright broke his ankle. Best for the Stonecats were Kyle Hutchison and Macklin Raine.

Pines’ 8.8 (56) to 5.9 (39) win lifted them into fifth spot.

Edithvale-Aspendale players William Flavelle (left) and Matt Clark (obscured) tackle Frankston Bombers player Jason Kingsbury. Picture: Chris Eastman

Mornington forward Jackson Calder’s goal off the ground with three minutes to go secured a gripping 8.7 (55) to 8.6 (54) win over Bonbeach at Alexandra Park.

After six straight losses, the Bulldogs were a relieved bunch after the game.

“I’m rapt for the boys because it gives them some enjoyment, they get to sing the song and it’s a bit of reward for the hard work that they’ve been putting in,’’ Mornington coach Simon Goosey said.

Calder finished with four goals, while Warwick Miller, Tom Hobbs and Joel Miller were some of the many Bulldogs contributors.

Mornington (1-6) has been hit hard by injuries but Goosey says the Bulldogs are still aiming to play finals.

“Anything’s possible,’’ he said. “You see how even the competition is. The side in fifth place is on three wins…we could have just as easily been 5-2. We’ve played two bad quarters…’’

Sorrento climbed to top spot after dispatching Seaford by 52 points to make it six wins on the spin.

Leigh Poholke slotted four goals in the 14.8 (92) to 5.10 (40) result, while Tom Langford, Mitch Hallahan, Shannon Gladman, Jayden Tomkins and Nick Marston dominated.

Mt Eliza scored an impressive 17.9 (111) to 6.15 (51) win over Rosebud at Madsen Reserve, with Redlegs skipper Shane Tennant turning in a best-afield display.

Mt Eliza led by six points at half time but broke the game open with an 8.6 to 1.2 third quarter blitz. Jordan Capkin (five goals) and Jordan Moncrieff (four) provided strong targets while Tom Small, Brenton Lambert and Callan Park were prominent.

Edi-Asp coach Graeme Yeats.

Edithvale-Aspendale improved its record to 5-2 with a 25-point win over Frankston Bombers.

It was tight for most of the game before the Eagles took control in the last quarter, scoring 4.3 to nil. Nick Connellan continued his rich vein of form, while former Noble Park stars Sam Monaghan and Tim Kelly caught the eye. Best for the Bombers were Jason Kingsbury, Dale Sutton and Jarryd Amalfi.

In Division 2, it wasn’t pretty, but Rye held on grimly to score its first win at Red Hill in seven years.

The Demons’ 8.7 (55) to 7.11 (53) result lifted them to fourth spot, in a strong position to push for finals.

Rye sprinted to a 27-point lead at the first change and was still 27 points ahead at three quarter time, before Red Hill stormed home with the wind.

Jarryd Amalfi boots the Frankston Bombers forward.

“We just made it stoppage after stoppage after stoppage, so it wouldn’t have been pretty to watch, the last five or 10 minutes,’’ Rye coach Josh Moore said. “I ended up chucking a couple of players behind the ball because they (Red Hill) were coming.’’

Rye lost ruckman Harrison Wilson on Thursday night with an ankle injury. In his absence, Tom Baker rucked all day in a best-on-ground performance, while Tyrren Head gathered 35 touches and booted an important goal.

Rye’s other key contributors were Peter Hampton, Adam Kirkwood, Ben Trivett and Harry Cole. For Red Hill, Dylan Hoare, Jake Mold, Josh Mold and Jake Bromley tried hard.

Former North Ballarat VFL full forward Jesse Murphy slotted six goals to help Langwarrin to a 27-point win over Crib Point. Murphy has kicked 15 of his 23 goals in the past three games.

Former AFL player Jarrad Grant in action for the Frankston Bombers.

“He’s been an outstanding recruit for us, and he probably gets better each week,’’ Langwarrin co-coach Josh Beard said.

Nick Tuddenham, Dan Wehner, Zach Andrewartha and Blake Harkness also impressed for the Kangaroos, whose win also came in Matthew Naughton’s 150th game.

Luke Jennings booted five goals to help Pearcedale to an all-the-way 16.13 (109) to 10.11 (71) win over Tyabb.

Travis Bravo, Zach Campbell and Tom Craven also starred the Dales.

Karingal consolidated second spot with an impressive 51-point win over Devon Meadows. Aaron Paxton, Cal Dixon and Nathan McDonald sparked the Bulls, who had nine individual goal kickers.

Edi-Asp’s Brett O'Hanlon with the ball.

Dromana kept its unbeaten record in tact with a powerful 16.16 (112) to 11.8 (74) win over Hastings. Terry Wheeler, Billy Quigley, Matt Price (four goals) and champion boxer Jack Gipp were terrific for the Tigers.

Chelsea improved its record to 5-1 with a solid 42-point win over Somerville. Seagulls spearhead Curtis Bywater slotted six goals, while Lexian Xiberras, Dan Aarsman and Ben Holman impressed.