Mornington Peninsula league: Trent Dennis-Lane, Sam Gilbert and David Armitage help Bonbeach win in Division 1
Three former AFL Saints starred as Bonbeach hit top gear in MPNFL Division 1, but one of its young players was concussed in a big hit.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Bonny is back.
After a lukewarm start to 2022, Bonbeach clicked into gear on Saturday to inflict the first defeat of the season on high-flying Sorrento.
Trent Dennis-Lane led the charge, kicking 6.7, and Sam Gilbert played his best game of the season in the 40-point win, 15.13 (103) to 9.9 (63), at Cannes Ave.
Another ex-St Kilda star David Armitage was also in Bonbeach’s best players.
Bonbeach set up victory early, rushing to a 26-point lead at quarter time and increasing it to 45 points at half-time.
Sorrento stuck to its task, and kicked the first two goals of the last quarter to mount a minor comeback, but Bonny had all the answers.
Bonbeach teenager Jet Peckett was concussed in the first quarter when he copped a heavy bump from Sorrento recruit Rourke Fischer.
Peckett, the son of former St Kilda star Justin, lay on the ground for several minutes before being helped to the bench.
Justin was at the ground watching and went to the bench to check on Jet, who was knocked out in a game last year.
Bonbeach coach Adrian Connolly said the collision was game-changing.
“In a way that got us going I think,’’ Connolly said.
“That fired our blokes up, they weren’t happy and had a bit of a point to prove.’’
Connolly said the win was a turning point for Bonbeach, which lost its opening two games this season after finishing on top of the ladder last year.
“Definitely,” he said.
“That was back to a little bit of what we did last year. Hopefully that’s a bit of a kickstart that we need.
“We played really well, (I was) very happy with what we did.”
Connolly said Sorrento was one of the best sides in the competition.
“They’ve recruited really well, so they’re going to be up there, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“They had a few out yesterday and I’m fully aware of that — (Mitch) Hallahan, (Nick) Wood, (Zach) Byrns didn’t end up playing, one of the Brigden brothers didn’t play.’’
Connolly said Dennis-Lane “could have kicked 10”, while Bonbeach skipper Jackson Casey “did a really good job” on Sorrento coach and spearhead Leigh Poholke, who was held to two goals.
“Ben McLean was outstanding on (Nick) Corp,” Connolly said.
“And Sean Corrigan as well, we put him into the middle and that seemed to be a turning point.
“And the other one was Jayden Bott in the ruck, his first senior game for Bonbeach. He matched (Jonathan) Croad, Croad was really good, we were impressed with what he did but at least we were able to match him in the middle and it certainly helped our midfield out a fair bit.”
Gilbert had a roaming midfield-wing role and kicked a brilliant “banana” goal in the third term.
“That was his best game for the year,” Connolly said.
Bonbeach’s youngsters impressed, especially former Under 19s captain Calvin Lee, with his flowing mullet and dashing style.
Sunny Peckett snapped a brilliant goal in the second quarter and first-gamer Reubenn Smith was mobbed by teammates after slotting a goal.
For Sorrento, Nick Marston, Nathan Ryan and James Hallahan were named its three best players.
In other games:
*Dromana captain Billy Quigley slotted four goals in a best-on-ground performance to help his side defeat Edi-Asp by 29 points, 15.12 (102) to 11.7 (73).
Billy Geurts, Sam Geurts and Tom Crimmins were also in the Tigers best. Edi-Asp star Kurt Lopo was again named the Eagles best player
*A fast start set up a 23-point win for the Frankston Bombers over Pines, 10.14 (74) to 7.9 (51). Jake Greeley, Daniel Didomenicantonio, Jason Kingsbury and Dylan Garrett led the way for the Bombers, while Luke Dalmau, Johnathan Haidon and Nicholas Braund were Pines’ best.
*Mt Eliza coasted to a 42-point win over Rosebud, 12.8 (80) to 6.2 (38). Nathan Scagliarini (three goals), Bailey Breen, Zachary Rouse, Max Mourney, Finlay Bayne and Declan Cole were named the Redlegs’ best.
*Frankston YCW led all the way to beat Red Hill by 24 points, 8.13 (61) to 5.7 (37). Byron Barry, in his first game in the seniors for the season, was in the best players, along with Henry Berenger, Matt Troutbeck, Lachlan Wallace and Blake Mullane.
Former Adelaide Crows top draft pick joins MPFNL club
Edithvale-Aspendale has signed an ex-AFL Crow who has vowed to bring high work ethic and “a bit of flare”. He talks about his new footy challenge.
The phone call which landed GVL club an ex-AFL player
A former AFL player and one of the VFL’s best in recent seasons is heading to country footy in 2025 to the club in one of his favourite holiday spots. Here’s how it happened.