MPFNL Division 1: Magnificent Mt Eliza lands premiership trifecta

Mt Eliza snapped a 19-year premiership drought with a come-from-behind win over Dromana in the MPFNL Division 1 grand final — and the Redlegs’ reserves and under-19s also hoisted flags.

Mt Eliza celebrate in the rooms after their win. Picture: Andrew Batsch

The Mt Eliza Redlegs are undisputed champions of the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League.

And coach Rikki Johnston is a genius; his status as a great of the league complete after taking the Redlegs to their first senior premiership in 19 years with a stunning come-from-behind 23-point win over Dromana in Sunday’s MPFNL Division 1 grand final.

Mt Eliza trailed by 10 points at half-time but unleashed a five-goal-to-one third term to turn the flag decider on its head.

The Redlegs kicked 8.1 in the second half to secure their first senior flag since 2005, 12.3 (75) to 7.10 (52), in front of a packed Frankston Park crowd.

Mt Eliza show off their premiership cup and flag. Picture: Andrew Batsch

The stirring victory capped an unforgettable day for Mt Eliza, with the club’s reserves and under-19s also winning grand finals.

The Redlegs won the lot, heading back to Emil Madsen Reserve on Sunday night with three shiny new premiership cups.

Pinpoint accuracy, relentless run and high energy powered Johnston’s Redlegs to glory.

Mt Eliza ruckman Chris Carey won the medal for best on ground, taking it up to and more than matching Dromana champion Billy Geurts.

Defender Nicholas “Bob’’ MacDonald Girolami was brilliant and showed he’s above local level, dominating the game.

Mitch Smith marks the ball for Mt Eliza. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Johnston was mobbed by his coaching staff at the final siren, but when he emerged he headed straight to the Dromana bench to console Tigers coach Ben Holmes and his crew. It was all class by Rikki.

“I’ve got a lot of mates from the club, a lot of volunteers who have been there forever and a day,’’ he said.

“They are great people. It was a surreal kind of day today, rocking up and wishing everyone good luck. I have nothing but respect for that footy club.

“I was lucky enough to play with Holmesy and play against Holmsey and there’s a lot of mutual respect there. It was good to get the chocolates but geez they are a formidable club, that’s for sure.’’

Johnston declared the monkey was finally off the back for Mt Eliza flooty club.

“The knock on the club has been that they’ve fallen over in the hard games but I think that monkey is off the back now,’’ he said.

Mt Eliza players celebrate the win as the siren sounds. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Johnston moved Tom Small into the midfield after half-time and it made a difference.

The creative Fin Bayne sparked the Redlegs in the third quarter, a handball setting up Michael West for a goal.

Declan Cole found Damian Mascitti, who converted to trim Dromana’s lead to a point.

Mt Eliza found another gear as West drilled a perfect pass to a high-leaping Lachlan Williams, who slotted another.

The Redlegs couldn’t miss. Williams added another. Down the other end young Archie Stringer took a great mark and found a dashing Thomas Kelly.

Mt Eliza was suddenly playing without nerves or inhibition and the Tigers were the ones on the ropes.

Mt Eliza co-captains Nathan Scagliarinini and Braden Nelmes hold the premiership cup with coach Rikki Johnston. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Dromana fans gasped in shock early in the final quarter when star Jake Aarts was cleaned up by a teammate and was writhing in pain holding his right arm. He was helped off the ground.

Mt Eliza surged 18 points ahead when Mitch Smith snapped a goal, and the Redlegs’s roar grew louder soon after when Bayne found Carey, to Cole...and West slotted a banana goal.

The siren sparked jubilant scenes as almost two decades of finals heartache dissipated as Redlegs fans stormed the field.

MATCH DETAILS

Dromana 1.3, 5.6, 6.9, 7.10 (52) def by Mt Eliza 4.1, 4.2, 9.2, 12.3 (75).

Goals:

Dromana: Clayton Gay 2, Sam Geurts 2, Jordan Andrews, Ethan Johnstone, Luke Oborn.

Mt Eliza: Mitch Smith 3, Lachlan Williams 3, Michael West 2, Owen Williams 2, Damian Mascitti, Tom Small.

Best:

Dromana: Jake Aarts, Billy Geurts, Josh Geurts, Dean Waugh, Riley Davis

Mt Eliza: Christopher Carey, Nicholas MacDonald girolami, Michael West, Finlay Bayne, Tom Small