MPFNL 2023: Sorrento lose key players to injury in loss to Frankston YCW

Sorrento will be without arguably its best player for a chunk of the season after he sustained a painful injury in the Sharks’ 64-point loss to Frankston YCW.

Sorrento lost several key players to injury on Saturday.

Sorrento’s MPFNL Division 1 campaign has been dealt a blow, with the Sharks suffering several injuries in their 64-point loss to Frankston YCW on Saturday.

Star player Chad Harris left the field in distress after breaking his collarbone when he was tackled in the third quarter.

“He went straight to hospital and will have surgery on Wednesday,’’ Sorrento coach Leigh Poholke said.

“They’ll put plates in and then we’ll see from there. We think somewhere around that eight to 10 week mark.

“So, less than ideal.’’

Chad Harris.

Sorrento coach Leigh Poholke.

Harris returned to Sorrento this season from Subiaco in the WAFL and was one of the Sharks’ best players in their Round 1 win over Rosebud. He’d kicked two goals before he was injured on Saturday.

“Chad’s arguably our best player,’’ Poholke said.

“He’s had a super start to the year, he was awesome in round one and he was really good yesterday until he got injured.’’

Sorrento also lost ruckman Bassirou Faye (concussion), Nick Jamieson (knee) and Luke Brigden to injury during the 15.15 (105) to 5.11 (41) loss to Frankston YCW at Jubilee Park.

“I think we finished with 17 healthy players in the last 30 minutes sadly,’’ Poholke said.

“Not a good day. We were in the game at three quarter time. We kicked 2.7 in the second quarter…we probably should have been four or five goals up but I knew we took a risk in the second quarter, we didn’t rest our best players, we left them on the ground through the forward line so I knew at some stage that could come back to bite us. I just didn’t plan to have zero on the bench in the last quarter.

“So the boys were running on empty.’’

Matt La Fontaine.

Frankston YCW coach Paul Goonan.

Frankston YCW kicked eight goals to one in the last quarter, with a red-hot Matthew La Fontaine slotting four goals himself.

Brenton Credlin and Luke Paynter were superb down back, while Caleb Douglas, Bailey Angwin and Joshua Patullo were also named in the best for the Stonecats.

Sorrento’s best players were Myles Poholke, Jack Beverley and Mickey Walker.

Frankston YCW midfielder Luca Goonan was reported and sent off in the third quarter, but the Stonecats were still able to storm home.

Frankston YCW coach Paul Goonan said his side responded after being challenged.

“We were a man down and they (Sorrento) really brought the pressure in the third quarter,’’ Goonan said.

“I think they spent their petrol tickets in that quarter. Our boys were still on top of the ground and still going, we kicked eight goals to one in the last quarter.

“Laffa kicked four in the quarter and set up two others as well, he’s such a good player when he gets going like he did today.

“I think he was a bit embarrassed; they gave him the best on ground award, the meat tray, and he told me after he didn’t get a touch in the first three quarters.

“But he finished like a train.’’

Goonan also praised wingman Jimmy Cahill.

“He’s such a hard runner, every time we needed that outlet kick or release he was the one who kept getting out on his own,’’ Goonan said.

“He just out works blokes and by the end of the game when everyone’s getting slow he just keeps going.’’

The win capped a big day for Frankston YCW, which unfurled its four 2022 premiership flags and celebrated the 1973, ‘93, ‘03 and 2013 premiership reunions.

And Stonecats players wore black armbands in honour of founding member and legendary player Ewan Cole.

Frankston YCW is one of three sides undefeated after two rounds. Dromana and Frankston Bombers are also 2-0.