MPFNL Division 1: Dromana clips Eagles’ wings, gives timely reminder

Dromana coach Ben Holmes was moved to make a big statement after the Tigers’ tenacious win over Edithvale-Aspendale in MPFNL Division 1.

Bryce Hornsby with the ball for Dromana. Picture: Simon McEvoy

The tanacious Tigers are back in town.

In a thrilling display of resilience and adaptability, Dromana overcame Edithvale-Aspendale 12.12 (84) to 10.11 (71) at Regents Park on Saturday, leaving coach Ben Holmes elated and proud of his team’s performance.

“It’s probably the best win I’ve been involved in as a coach, to be honest,” Holmes declared.

“Purely on the fact that we had a lot of depth out of our squad.”

The Tigers, facing the formidable Division 2 premiers from last season, started strongly by kicking three goals into the breeze in the first quarter. As Holmes put it, the team “scrapped and fought” their way to a vital victory — their fourth on the spin.

The win was made even more impressive by the absence of several key players, including captain Billy Quigley, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the past three games.

Quigley has been helping out on the bench in an assistant coaching role, while Sam Geurts has stepped up admirably as acting captain.

“We’ve always been a player-driven group,” Holmes said.

Sam Geurts has stepped up as Dromana's acting captain. Picture: Simon McEvoy

The Geurts brothers were instrumental in the victory, with Josh Geurts making a significant impact in the midfield.

“Josh Geurts was huge yesterday stepping up, he’s basically replaced Jake Aarts for us,’’ Holmes said.

“His work in the midfield has been nothing short of terrific.”

Younger brother Toby Geurts also contributed valuable midfield minutes.

Luke Oborn’s defensive efforts against ex-AFL forward Tyrone Vickery were crucial, effectively nullifying the threat before being swung forward later in the game.

The brilliant Sam Fowler slotted four goals, while the Tigers’ ability to adapt has been a key factor in their success this season.

Ryan Morrison.

Dromana players scrap for the ball. Picture: Simon McEvoy

Ryan Morrison, typically a defender, has found new life as a forward, kicking four goals on Saturday.

Holmes has rejigged the Tigers’ line-up this season — Morrison and Oborn have both gone forward at different times — and the players are relishing it.

“Ryan Morrison has been back pretty much his whole career — he’s 30 now — so to get a new opportunity like that, it’s a new lease on life for him,” Holmes said.

Despite losing eight players from last year’s grand final team, Dromana has shown remarkable versatility.

“We’ve got to get a bit more tactical,” Holmes said. “Last year, as good as the side was, the one downfall was everyone knew where we were going to line up. We were pretty predictable in the way we were going to go about it, whereas this year versatility is huge.”

Dromana coach Ben Holmes calls the shots.

Luke Oborn takes a kick for Dromana on Saturday. Picture: Simon McEvoy

Holmes added: “We’re kind of fighting and scrapping for wins every week, which is terrific. We don’t know how sustainable it’s going to be, but they’re invested in it. It’s a very different feeling this season; we definitely feel like we’re hunting again and we’re scrapping for every win.”

Holmes said Dromana’s immediate goal was to be in contention

“Our aim is to sit in the five at the halfway mark,’’ he said.

This gutsy win serves as a timely reminder: underestimate Dromana at your peril.

For Edi-Asp, it was only their second defeat in two years. Charlie Martello, Will Conlan, Kyle Yorke, John Walker and Kyle Parrott, who slotted two goals in the first quarter and finished with three, were the Eagles’ best.

Ladder after Rd 7: Rosebud 24, Frankston YCW 20, Edithvale-Aspendale 20, Langwarrin 20, Dromana 16, Pines 16, Mt Eliza 8, Sorrento 8, Mornington 4, Red Hill 4.