MPFNL Division 2: Karingal beats Hastings to bank first win of 2024

Karingal’s “coachable” kids achieved something special while an ex-AFL forward slotted 11 goals and Edi-Asp, Somerville, Crib Point and Chelsea secured strong wins in MPFNL Division 2.

Karingal captain Sam Glenn. Picture: Doug Farr

It’s big picture stuff at Karingal this season.

The Bulls are building for the future, promoting their kids and bracing for the bumps in the road that will undoubtedly come along.

After losing a raft of experienced players in the off-season, Karingal’s new-look, youthful side is chipping away, trying to get better each week.

On Saturday, the Bulls secured their first win of 2024, beating Hastings by 27 points, 13.14 (92) to 9.11 (65).

“It was good reward for effort, we’ve been in the contest for the first month after a pretty tough draw,” Karingal coach Luke Forsyth said.

“We weren’t getting our reward for effort but on the weekend it was good to put a four quarter performance together and get a win.”

Matt Hill takes a kick for Karingal. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bulls captain Sam Glenn led from the front with a best-on-ground performance, capped off by two goals.

“He was enormous for us,” Forsyth said.

Youngsters Reuben Hanson, Oscar Hanson and Max Parrott — with only 19 senior games between them — were impressive.

Reuben Hanson was influential in the ruck, while Oscar Hansen, playing the hardest position on the ground (centre half-forward) took half a dozen marks in the first half to set the scene for the Bulls.

Parrott, in just his second game, slotted two goals in an eye-catching effort.

The experienced Matt Hill was also instrumental in the win.

Karingal coach Luke Forsyth. Picture: Valeriu Campan

After contesting finals and racking up the wins in the past few years, Karingal is more focused on re-setting this year.

“It’s been refreshing, too,” Forsyth said.

“It’s not about wins and losses for us as much as it has been the last couple of years. Each week we’re getting better. It’s a young group and they’re coachable.

“We can’t do everything that we want to straight away but everything that we talk about you can see that they’re trying to do on game day.”

In other games:

A behind kicked by Mick Meehan gave Edithvale-Aspendale a thrilling one-point win over Devon Meadows, 11.13 (79) to 11.12 (78). Devon vice captain Joel Hillis did everything to inspire his side, kicking five goals in the last quarter to almost drag his side to victory. But the Eagles, with Lewis Diggins, Kurt Lo Po, Jack Turner and Kris Pendlebury showing the way, clung on to take their record to 4-1.

Kaolan Thornton was superb for Pearcedale. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pearcedale put the whip to Rye at Tractor Park, winning 28.23 (191) to 6.6 (42), with former AFL forward Brett Eddy kicking 11 goals in a best-afield display for the Dales. Kaolan Thornton also dominated and Archie McGuiness capped a great game with four goals.

Ex-Hawthorn listed Jordan Kelly was best afield as undefeated Chelsea was too good for Tyabb, 18.15 (123) to 8.13 (61). Corey Buchan and Matt Hose again showed the way for Tyabb.

Mason de Wit capped a best-on-ground display with three goals as Somerville drew clear of Bonbeach to win 11.15 (81) to 10.6 (66). Marcus Mantell, Miller Stewart, Daniel Marshall and Lachlan Haskett were also in everything for the 3-2 Eagles, while Jack Bailey, Jet Peckett and Sunny Peckett did well for Bonny.

Cooper Wisken was brilliant, ex-Nyora player Travis Stewart starred and Max Vercoe kicked four goals as 4-1 Crib Point cruised home over Seaford, 17.11 (113) to 11.17 (83).