MPFNL 2023: Ruckman plays first game in four years and sparks Sorrento to rousing victory

Sorrento sprang a selection surprise — and he played a starring role in their thrilling win over Pines in a match containing plenty of “argy bargy”.

Myles Poholke capped a best-on-ground display with two goals for Sorrento on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Sorrento fans had to look twice when the side ran out against Pines on Saturday.

“Who’s the big bloke?” came the comment from the outer.

Wearing No. 11, Grant Goodall, the former Karingal ruckman, was making his Sorrento debut.

He hadn’t played since the Bulls loss to Red Hill in the 2019 MPNFL Division 2 grand final.

He joined Sorrento a few weeks ago, along with Aaron Paxton.

Sorrento coach Leigh Poholke said Goodall’s rise to the senior side was “fast tracked” after Sharks young ruckman Bassirou Faye was concussed last week, opening up a spot in the side.

“We sort of knew at some stage he (Goodall) would have an impact,” Poholke said.

“And he was super.”

Goodall was crucial as Sorrento finished with a flourish to edge Pines by six points, 13.4 (82) to 10.16 (76).

Pines would have been kicking themselves after having nine more scoring shots than the Sorras.

Sorrento coach Leigh Poholke. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Goodall’s tap work was a feature throughout the match but especially so when the game was on the line.

“He tapped one out of the ruck in the last quarter to Myles (Poholke) who ran in and kicked a goal from the centre and that put us a goal up with about four minutes to go,” Poholke said.

“Big Russ (Gabriel) had to do a power of work without Beau (Hendry) playing. We ran a couple of ruckmen through him and big G (Goodall) played about six to eight minutes a quarter and then he did the bulk of the work in the last eight minutes when we really needed him.”

Poholke, who kicked five goals in the victory, said it was a great game of local footy.

“It always is against Pines,” he said.

“There was a bit of argy bargy when they came into our warm up area pre game and a bit more argy bargy at half time,’’ he said.

“If they had have kicked straight they probably would have blown us away but bad kicking is bad football.”

Myles Poholke was named best afield, with Marcus Gardner, Shannon Gladman, James Brigden, Liam McKenna and Aaron Paxton also in the best.

For Pines, Gabriel, Shane Savage, Luke Dalmau and Darcy Wilson impressed.

Sorrento is in fifth spot with a 2-1 record.

Other winners in Division 1 on Saturday were Frankston YCW (by 20 points over Frankston Bombers), Langwarrin over Bonbeach, 116-58, Dromana over Rosebud by 10 goals and Mt Eliza by 65 points over Red Hill.