MPFNL Division 1: Frankston Bombers players Dylan Garrett and Bayleigh Welsh hospitalised after win

The Frankston Bombers’ one-point win came at a cost, with two of their leaders taken to hospital and one of them undergoing multiple surgeries.

The Frankston Bombers sing the song after their one-point win over Langwarrin on Saturday. Picture: Facebook

A relieved Jarrad Grant said it’s good to “tick that box” of having a win as senior coach.

The former AFL forward began his coaching career in thrilling circumstances on Saturday when he led his Frankston Bombers to a one-point victory over Langwarrin in the MPFNL Division 1 season opener.

Bombers youngster Flynn Walker slotted a point from a set shot late in the match to snatch victory, 5.13 (43) to 5.12 (42), at a windswept Lloyd Park.

“A one point swing around makes a lot of difference sometimes,” a philosophical Grant said on Sunday morning.

“I could have been waking up a one point loser.

“It was definitely a bit of a nail bitter and trying to get the first win as a coach made it an exciting day.”

Flynn Walker kicks the winning point on Saturday. Picture: Facebook

The Bombers’ win, though, came at a cost, with two of their vice-captains taken to hospital after suffering injuries.

Dylan Garrett sustained a severe corky to his leg and underwent surgery on Saturday night and was to undergo more surgery on Sunday. “I remember Jarryn Geary in the AFL had one a few years back,’’ Grant said of Garrett’s injury.

Bayleigh Welsh heard a noise in his knee and while x-rays were clear on Saturday night he will go for scans during the week to assess ligaments.

In a tight, see-sawing battle, Langwarrin kicked the opening goal of the final quarter to go 10 points ahead but the Frankston Bombers refused to lie down and goals to skipper Alex Harnett and Walker were crucial.

“We were just fortunate in the last quarter a few big plays that the boys made came off and we were able to kick a couple,” Grant said.

“Alex Harnett had a couple of big moments where he took a couple of contested marks which led to scoring opportunities.

“There was a kick from Chase Harris I recall which got us our final point. He was on the half back line and took one on through the middle and actually hit Alex and that led to the scoring point that got us in front. That was a big play for us. It was enough that one point.”

Grant likened Walker’s match-winning point to Aaron Ludewig’s shot that won Pines the 2018 grand final.

Grant said Langwarrin pushed his side to the limit.

“They were really, really competitive and have definitely improved from last year,” he said.

“They really took it to us, physically and the way they used the ball as well.”

Frankston Bombers debutants Noah Iliadis, Jake Hodgson, Brodie Smith and Mitch Harvey. Picture: Facebook

The Frankston Bombers had four youngsters on debut — Mitch Harvey, Jake Hodgson, Brodie Smith and Noah Iliadis — and Grant said it reflected the direction his club was going.

“We’ve got a young side now which is quite different to when I got there,’’ he said.

“We had a lot of VFL experience and a lot of 25 (year-old) pluses. Now we’ve got a lot of kids who are going to get good opportunity and are willing to put their hands up.”

Grant said he was relieved to bank a win first-up.

“To be honest Langwarrin probably outplayed us on the day,’’ he said.

“To our boys credit, we just hung in and fought tooth and nail and we were able to get the result.

“It wasn’t a pretty day for footy, the wind was coming pretty heavily sideways towards their new club rooms so the majority of the game was played on that side of the ground.’’

Frankston Bombers host Red Hill in Round 2 next Saturday.