Frankston Bombers on the board after edging Mornington in gripping encounter
THE Frankston Bombers have held firm to beat Mornington by 17 points and open their winning account in the newly-structured MPNFL Division 1 season.
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THE Frankston Bombers have held firm to beat Mornington by 17 points and open their winning account in the newly-structured MPNFL Division 1 season.
In a gripping final five minutes, former Gold Coast Suns forward Jarrad Grant snapped a goal and Bombers coach Beau Muston also kicked a major, and set up another, as the Bombers came from 10 points behind to win 16.15 (111) to 14.10 (94) at Alexandra Park.
It was the Bombers’ first win over Mornington in 37 years.
“It was good to get the monkey off the back and get our first win in Division 1 because there’s a big difference between going 0-2 and to get back to level pegging,’’ Muston said.
“We had the mindset if we could win the stoppages we could win the inside fifty count. That’s sort of how it panned out. It was a close game but we won the stoppages and that’s where we felt we won the game.’’
Former Frankston YCW player Josh Chapman ignited the Bombers with a hard-running performance that set up play. He was named best-on-ground.
Bombers ruckman Corey Micari also was outstanding and 16-year-old Will Majcher impressed off half back. “He’s going to be an outstanding talent,’’ Muston said of Majcher. “I think he’s going to be too good local footy. He’s a really promising talent.’’
For Mornington, which has lost its opening two games, Broden Bird slotted five goals while his brother Kalen Bird and Tom Hobbs did well.
Frankston YCW coach Wayne Capp praised his players’ character after they turned a 32-point third quarter deficit into a stirring 12-point win over Seaford at Belvedere Reserve.
Ignited by Josh Butland (four goals), the Stonecats unleashed a six-goal burst in the last term to swamp Seaford, 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80).
“Most of the day I was pretty disappointed the way we were playing but in the end I was really pleased with the character of the boys to be able to get the job done,’’ Capp, who praised Seaford’s efforts, said.
Michael Debenham, Lachlan Street and Ryley Hodson were telling factors for YC, as was Scott MacLeod who helped engineer the turnaround from the middle of the ground.
YCW’s win came at a cost, though, with MacLeod ending up in hospital having ex-rays on a leg and Ryan Santon straining his back.
For Seaford, Nick Braund (three goals), Matt Terech, Ben Howlett and Aaron Walton were gallant.
Sorrento celebrated its first win in the new competition after edging Mt Eliza by six points, 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74).
Former Collingwood and Melbourne forward Chris Dawes kicked four goals and Leigh Poholke three for the Sharks, who were also inspired by Ryan Williams, Tom Langford and Zach Byrns. For Mt Eliza, Jordan Moncrieff booted four goals and Ben Landry starred.
A fast start set up Bonbeach’s 12.18 (80) to 7.15 (57) win over Rosebud.
The Sharks kicked the opening four goals of the game as Trent Dennis-Lane, after being held goalless in the first game, ran hot to finish with seven goals. Jackson Casey, Gary Carpenter, Jason Gumbleton and Matt Douglas also impressed.
For Rosebud, Sean and Keegan Downie tried hard.
In Division 2, Chelsea broke a round one hoodoo with a gripping seven-point win over Red Hill.
It was the Seagulls’ first win in the season-opener for six years – not that new coach James Brain was getting carried away.
“I told the boys, ‘let it sink in for an hour and then we move on’,’’ Brain said.
Led by ruckman Ben Holman and full-forward Curtis Bywater (4.4), Chelsea showed fight to win 11.13 (79) to 11.6 (72).
Simon Mitchelhill, Jason Clark and Todd Gardiner were also key figures for the Seagulls, while Red Hill’s Matt Hyden, Jonah Siversen, Dylan Hoare and Jake Mold tried hard.
“It was a fair grind,’’ Brain said.
“We were probably a little bit lucky in end, I think. We missed a lot of opportunities…it could have gone either way so it was nice to come out on top.
“We were definitely running out of legs.
“It’s massive, really. I don’t think the club has won in round one in six years. And especially to win against Red Hill, I think they’re going to be a strong outfit.’’
Hastings forward Luke Hewitt fired off eight goals in the Blues’ thumping 111-point win over Crib Point.
Hewitt was red-hot as he finished off some quality work by Paul Rogasch, Nathan Gray (three goals), Matt Foy and Shaun Foster. Hastings drilled eight goals in the second term and finished with 24.14 (158) to Cribby’s 7.5 (47).
Karingal held on to beat Langwarrin, 10.14 (74) to 9.11 (65), in a battle of attrition at Ballam Park.
Both sides were down to one or two on the bench after sustaining injuries. “There was a lot of carnage,’’ new Karingal coach Brett Dunne said. “It was really good game, a really good standard…a lot of pressure, massive crowd.’’
Bulls champion Michael Burke’s impact in the last quarter was match-winning; playing mainly up forward, he won every one-on-one contest and out-hustled the opposition when the ball was on the ground.
Steve McInnes was best overall for Karingal, while skipper Andy McInnes helped lift the Bulls and Dylan Gregson impressed.
Langwarrin co-coach Blake McCormack suffered a concussion and ruckman Matt Naughton also came off injured. Karingal recruit Matt Stanley hurt his shoulder after putting his body on the line and ruckman Grant Goodall suffered a hand injury.
A minute’s silence was held before the game to honour the late Karingal player Luke Duhig.
Dromana turned a 19-point quarter-time deficit into a resounding 16.15 (111) to 8.6 (54) win over Somerville.
The Tigers took control in the second quarter as Billy Quigley, Shaun Clarke, Andrew Howison and Zac Muschialli ran rampant, while Ethan Johnstone slotted three goals.
For Somerville, Luke Rowe, Tim McGenniss and Justin Allsopp tried hard.
At Rowley Reserve, Jye Lloyd, Tyrren Head (two goals) and Harry Whitty (three) in Rye’s 11.14 (80) to 10.9 (69) win over Tyabb.
The Yabbies didn’t give up, though, outscoring Rye six goals to one in the last term, with Spencer McArtney, Brendan Doyle and Jake Anderson doing well.
Devon Meadows forward Troy Aust slotted five goals in his side’s impressive 17.12 (114) to 8.13 (61) win over Pearcedale.
Aust kicked Devon’s first goal and capped the display with two in the last term, while Joel Hillas, Liam Drew and Kyle Beveridge also impressed. For Pearcedale, Zach Campbell, Laughlin Cowell and Travis Bravo moved well.
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