MPFNL Division 1: Rosebud’s resurgence speeds up

A star big man, an Eastern league recruit and blazing leg speed was behind Rosebud’s third straight win in MPFNL Division 1.

Stephen Cumming was best afield for Rosebud on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

On a three-game tear, Rosebud has roared into finals contention in Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 1.

And it is leg speed that is fuelling the Buds’ resurgence; they went to a new high on Saturday when they trounced last season’s grand finalists Frankston YCW by 51 points, 19.9 (123) to 11.6 (72).

Rosebud, 4-5, has climbed to sixth spot at the halfway mark of the season.

“Our midfield group is really firing at the moment,” Rosebud coach Danny Ades said.

Former AFL Hawk and Kangaroo Billy Hartung has been at the heart of the Buds’ burgeoning form.

Two weeks ago against Red Hill he took 13 running bounces in the second quarter to ignite his side and on Saturday he again sparkled.

“He might be the quickest player in the comp. He’s genuinely fast,” Ades said of Hartung.

“I was under the impression, just watching him when he was in the AFL, that he was an endurance player which he clearly is but I haven’t seen anyone quicker than him in the comp this year.”

Billy Hartung (right) of the Kangaroos celebrates with Ben Brown in an AFL match in 2018. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Hartung is also midfield line coach this season and he’s teaching his teammates as he goes.

“The boys are learning a bit of craft off him as well,” Ades said.

Another Rosebud star this season has been ruckman Stephen Cumming.

He was named best-on-ground against Frankston YCW on Saturday and Ades believes he’s in the top two ruckmen in the league.

“If you speak to most coaches the two best ruckmen on form this year are probably him and (Liam) Buxton from Sorrento,” he said.

“And Steve probably hasn’t been beaten since Buxton in round one.”

After an even first half, Rosebud broke the game open with a six-goal blitz in the third quarter while restricting Frankston YCW to a goal. Kirk Dickson and Blake Kuipers kicked three goals apiece for the Buds.

Dickson is up to 19 goals in seven matches this season.

Jake Carosella, Matt Cumming and Reid Nanscawen kicked two goals apiece.

Templestowe recruit Bailey Watson — who signed last week — made a big impression in his first game for the Buds, doing a “really solid job’’ on Frankston YCW forward Riley D’Arcy after halftime.

Rosebud coach Danny Ades. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Rosebud faces third-placed Sorrento next weekend in a blockbuster.

“We hit the halfway point at 4-5 and I feel like there’s no reason we can’t improve on the second half of the season and see where that leaves us,’’ Ades said.

“It’s a very even competition, I don’t think it’s ever been this even.”

In other games:

*Pines and Mt Eliza had a draw, with Pythons star Luke Dalmau booting a goal with the last kick of the game to knot scores at 61-apiece. Johnathan Haidon and Jarrod Richards were best for Pines, while Damian Mascitti was named the Redlegs’ best.

Shannon Gladman (middle) after kicking a great goal in the first quarter on Saturday.

*The brilliant Shannon Gladman had a big say in Sorrento’s 10.10 (70) to 6.11 (47) win over the Frankston Bombers, with 30 touches and four goals. Ex-league men Dylan Clarke and Myles Poholke were also outstanding for the third-placed Sharks. Ross Walker, younger brother of Sorrento’s Michael Walker, made his debut at 16 and looked great. “While we didn’t play super well, we defended better as a team,’’ coach Leigh Poholke said.

*Recruit Oliver Jackson kicked four goals as Red Hill overcame Mornington 14.12 (96) to 10.13 (73). Hillmen coach Jamie Mollo declared: “Our second half of the game was fantastic. We now turn 5-4 at the halfway mark so it sets up a good opportunity to launch into the back nine. The highlight is our forward line; it is really dangerous at the moment. Oli Jackson, Johnno Ross and Billy Sanders are hard match ups and keep creating opportunities in front of goal.’’

*Dromana cruised home over Langwarrin, 14.11 (95) to 6.4 (40), Jordy Andrews and Ethan Johnstone nailing three goals apiece.