MPFNL Division 2: Chelsea blasts into grand final but star injured

Chelsea’s stunning 103-point preliminary final victory came at a cost with a key player pinging a hamstring. But the Gulls have a star waiting in the wings.

Chelsea has recored two 100-plus point victories in the finals. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Chelsea could be forced to make a change to its in-form line-up for next weekend’s MPFNL Division 2 grand final.

The Seagulls have had a settled line-up throughout the finals series but star onballer Baxter Knight did his hamstring in Saturday’s thumping preliminary final win over Somerville and faces a race against time to play in the flag decider against Edithvale-Aspendale.

It’s understood Knight, the son of former Dandenong and Springvale premiership hero Denis Knight, will call on the miraculous healing powers of Dr Death — master masseur Garry McDonell — during the week in a bid to get up for the biggest match of the season.

Baxter Knight.

Last year, Mornington captain Adrian Speedy tore his hamstring in the second semi-final but Dr Death’s magical hands got him up for the grand final and he played in a flag.

Chelsea, meanwhile, is set to inject former Richmond player Brett O’Hanlon into its side for the grand final.

O’Hanlon hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in Round 14 but is fully recovered and has been the Seagulls’ runner for the past three weeks.

He could be a key factor as Chelsea strives for its first premiership since 2006.

Dave Willett’s Seagulls put on a clinic as they thrashed Somerville 22.7 (139) to 4.12 (36) at Rye.

Chelsea coach David Willett. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Jordan Kelly takes a kick for Chelsea. Picture: Andrew Batsch

It was their second 100-plus point victory in the finals after they thumped Devon Meadows by 107 points in the qualifying final a fortnight ago — proving they are a potent side when able to get on top of the opposition.

Chelsea kicked four unanswered goals in the opening quarter on Saturday and put the contest to bed with a seven-goal third quarter to surge 57-points ahead at the last change.

The Gulls were ruthless as they slammed on eight goals in the last quarter while keeping Somerville goalless.

Anthony Beale slotted four goals to move to 42 for the season, while former VFL player Jordan Kelly gave a dominating performance for the Seagulls, who also counted Jack Francis, Jack Wallace, John Simson and Jacob Spasevski among their best players.

Somerville’s resurgence — the Eagles won 10 of the previous 11 games — came to an abrupt halt, despite the efforts of Daniel Marshall, Oliver Heavey, Lachlan Haskett, Nick Mason and Luke Farrelly.

Edithvale-Aspendale beat Chelsea by 23 points in the second semi-final and will take a 17-game winning streak into the grand final.

It shapes as a classic contest between the Eagles and the Seagulls.

MPFNL Division 2 Grand Final: Saturday, September 7, at Frankston Park.