MPFNL 2023: Crib Point off to flyer, stuns Somerville

The Magpies’ recruits and homegrown talent combined as they won their opening game of the MPFNL season for the first time since 2014.

Crib Point players celebrate a goal on Saturday. Picture: Euan Poulton

Organised and professional from the start.

Crib Point began the MPFNL Division 2 season with a bang on Saturday, stunning the highly-rated Somerville by 17 points, 10.6 (66) to 6.13 (49).

With Pakenham recruit Liam Tyrrell and ex-Mornington defender James Turnbull rock solid as tall backs, Crib Point surged to a decisive 21-point lead in the third quarter, and refused to yield.

Captain Brad Arnold led from the front in the midfield and Warwick Miller slotted four goals.

Another recruit, Kane Tyrrell, kicked three goals.

It was Crib Point’s first win in the opening round of a season since 2014, when it made the grand final.

“There’s a lot of blokes who’ve never beaten Somerville, so there were a few firsts,” Crib Point coach Andrew Gilmour said.

“We stuck to a really strong game plan for the whole time. It worked.

“There was no big negative defensive role. We went and played our game, rather than stopping them. We put faith in what we’ve been practicing all pre season and it was really pleasing.”

Crib Point's Brad Arnold (No. 2) takes a mark. Picture: Euan Poulton

Gilmour said Liam Tyrrell and Turnbull were “so dependable” down back, while the midfield was “really well organised” by Arnold.

“He led from the front early,’’ Gilmour said of Arnold.

“He’s in really good form after a solid pre season and he’s got his body right again which is nice.

“The load was shared evenly. We had such a good spread. It sounds cliched but honestly we had everyone play a decent game.”

Gilmour said Miller capitalised on good work up the ground.

“We kicked the ball to him, he took his marks and kicked the ball well,” he said.

Crib Point lost key player Miles Shepherd before the game when he was called up to the VFL by the Casey Demons.

Young Harry Laughton was called into the side and performed well in the backline.

Crib Point won only two games last season and finished on the bottom of the ladder.

But the Magpies have recruited well, their youngsters are a year older and Gilmour said his side was on the rise.

“We’re going into win every game now. It’s exciting,” he said.

Crib Point’s next game is against Pearcedale after the Easter break.

“As long as we keep getting those even performances from everyone I think we’re going to be a good side on any day,” Gilmour said.

Meanwhile, new Hastings coach Gavin Artico made an immediate impact, steering his Blues to an all-the-way 53-point win over Seaford, 14.10 (94) to 5.11 (41). Ex-AFL Saint Jack Lonie was named best for Seaford.

The match between Mornington and Karingal was abandoned after Karingal player Reuben Hanson, 19, was knocked out and suffered a broken collarbone in a tackle just before halftime.