Frankston YCW is into another Peninsula grand final after outlasting Mt Eliza

YCW holds out Mt Eliza in Peninsula and Hastings continues its fairytale run to defeat Rosebud and advance to the Nepean grand final.

Hastings players belt out the club song after seeing off Rosebud. Picture: Chris Eastman

Frankston YCW is into its sixth grand final in seven years after holding off a desperate Mt Eliza by five points in a nailbiting second semi-final at Frankston Park on Saturday.

In one of the games of the season, the Stonecats were challenged — and headed in the last quarter — but had the answers.

YCW began like a train, kicking 8.0 in the opening term, with athletic forward Anthony Bruhn slotting five majors.

The Stonecats lost league medallist Kyle Hutchinson to an ankle injury, and Mt Eliza got on a roll, surging back into the game and cutting YCW’s lead to five points at the last change.

With a grand final ticket on offer, it was set for a thrilling finish — and that’s exactly what followed.

Mt Eliza spearhead Justin Van Unen, back in the side and moving well after a hamstring injury, put the Redlegs in front when he snapped the opening goal of the last term.

YC responded; three successive goals restored a 19-point lead and had seemingly extinguished the Redlegs’ spark.

Hastings player Matt Clifford is exultant after nailing a goal in the final quarter goal. Picture: Chris Eastman

Stonecats midfielder Luke Collins went up a gear and had some telling touches.

But Mt Eliza came again. Van Unen snapped a beauty from 35m, giving a double fist pump to the crowd.

David Barton slotted a goal from a free to cut YC’s lead to five points and then possibly the best piece of play all season.

Redleg Daniel Gormley, eyes only for the ball, ran with the flight and took, and then in an instant played on, dashing towards goal and drilling it through to put Mt Eliza a point ahead.

But again, YC answered. Michael Debenham snapped a goal and Lachie Wallace threaded another as the Stonecats surged 11 points up.

Mt Eliza’s Will Mace darted forward to kick a goal to give the Redlegs, five points down, a sniff. But the siren sealed a memorable YCW victory.

The Recruit contestant Van Unen’s season appeared to be over a few weeks ago due to a severe hamstring injury but he came back earlier than expected. He had three goals by half time and added four more as Mt Eliza surged in the second half.

“We moved the ball faster and our pressure was a lot better,’’ Van Unen said.

But YCW survived to see in another grand final.

“They’re a strong side and they know how to play Frankston Park,’’ Van Unen noted.

Hastings star Colin McVeigh can take possession even with his eyes closed. Picture: Chris Eastman

“But we’ve come within a kick and we believe we can beat them. We’d love another shot at it but we’ve got to get past next weekend first.’’

In the Nepean league, Hastings charged into the grand final by defeating reigning premier Rosebud in a tense preliminary final at Tyabb.

The Blues, chasing their first flag since 1995, finished fourth on the ladder but got past Red Hill by 20 points in the elimination final, Somerville by 34 in the first semi and now the Buds by seven after they led at every change.

Coach Brendan Dunne, Luke Hewitt, Mark Devereaux, Shaun Foster, club stalwart Paul Rogasch and Lance Brouwer showed the way.

Hastings’s fairytale run puts it against minor premier Frankston Bombers in the season-decider this Saturday at Frankston Park.

Rosebud did win the reserves preliminary final, besting old rival Rye by 15 points, and will meet Red Hill in the grand final.

Sorrento and Red Hill will contest the Under 19s decider.