Frankston Dolphins beat North Melbourne to grab first win since their return to the VFL

FRANKSTON players gave their loyal supporters a standing ovation after their landmark 13-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday.

The Frankston Dolphins are a happy bunch as they walk off the ground after beating North Melbourne on Saturday. Picture: Emily Fraser-Ison photography

FRANKSTON players gave their loyal supporters a standing ovation after their landmark 13-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday.

The determined Dolphins claimed their first win back in the VFL, stunning the Kangaroos 20.9 (129) to 17.14 (116) at Chirnside Park.

Jubilant Dolphins supporters filed into the rooms to enjoy the special moment with the players.

“It was fantastic,’’ Frankston coach Adam Skrobalak said.

“It was a bit of a feeling like, I guess all that hard work that’s been put in from the first night at training all the way through has paid off.

“We’ve had some little wins along the way in practice games etc., but this a proper game. I think for the coaching staff it was a bit of a relief that we are on the board but for the players it was good for them to see all their hard work pay off and get a win next to their names.

“It was great to see to be honest. And there were a lot of supporters in the room who had made the trip down to Werribee and the boys gave them a standing ovation.

“It was a really good atmosphere and something we hope to see a bit more of this year.’’

Frankston kicked 19 goals after quarter time, with Corey Rich slotting five majors in a dominant display of speed and, what Skrobalak called, “footy smarts’’.

Corey Rich celebrates his goal in the last quarter for the Frankston Dolphins. Picture: Emily Fraser-Ison photography

Will Fordham boots Frankston forward on Saturday. Picture: Emily Fraser-Ison photography

Will Fordham, against his former side, was another key Dolphin, his run and dash setting up countless plays.

Lewis Pierce, Matt La Fontaine, Aloysio Ferreira and Lachlan Gill-Renouf kicked two goals apiece, while former Frankston YCW captain Kevin Lylak was terrific in only his second VFL appearance.

“We played some good footy in patches but there’s definitely still a lot of work to be done,’’ Skrobalak said.

“But our pressure and energy around the ball was fantastic, we thought that played a big part.’’

It was Frankston’s third game back in the VFL after sitting out the 2017 season and Skrobalak said the win has come ahead of schedule.

“I would think so,’’ he said. “We’ve put a power of work in to the players to try and develop them…and the win is a bit of a result from that. We weren’t sure when that would come…but our main focus is always just to develop, educate and improve the players in every training session and every game. We think if we continue to do that we are going to get some results along the way. It’s good to get one in round three but we’ve got to keep on improving.’’

North Melbourne 2.3, 7.5, 12.9, 17.14 (116) lt Frankston 1.5, 9.7, 13.9, 20.9 (129).

Goals: C. Rich 5, L. Pierce 2, M. La Fontaine 2, A. Ferreira 2, L. Gill-Renouf 2, S. Fowler, A. Jarnestrom, M. Raine, M. DeWit, T. Grace, J. McHale, A. Harnett.

Best: C. Rich, L. Gill-Renouf, J. McHale, K. Lylak, W. Fordham, L. Williams.