MPFNL Division 2: Nathan Burke’s Karingal breaks through for first win of season

Nathan Burke admitted he “mumbled’’ through the song after Karingal secured its first win of the Mornington Peninsula league Division 2 season — but it was worth it to see his young side finally get reward.

It was a nice problem to have for Karingal coach Nathan Burke.

The St Kilda champion had just led his young Bulls to their first win of the season in MPFNL Division 2 — and now it was time to sing the club’s song.

Burke didn’t know the words.

“I fumbled over it,” he laughed.

“I was thinking, ‘is this the same as the Sydney Swans? It’s starting off the same’.

“I actually had my back to where it’s written on the wall, so I sort of mumbled through a couple of the words.”

Burke’s Bulls blew the roof off the rooms as they belted out the song, such was their delight at beating Hastings, 10.11 (71) to 6.12 (48) — their first win since July 6, 2024.

Karingal led throughout, with Zachery Holton capping a best-on-ground display with four goals, and Jack Smith, Noah Bailey, Callan Dixon and Jake Pusch also instrumental in the breakthrough victory.

Zachery Holton has booted 23 goals this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Burke, in his first season at the helm, said the Bulls had been building and the win was “nourishment” for their hard work and patience.

“The whole club, the executive and the board, the mums and dads...they were pumped too,’’ he said.

“It’s been a long year for them.

“The numbers at training have only gotten better if anything.

“They (the players) have been organising their own get togethers and functions. Jimmy Bedford has had them around his place a few times and on Tuesday night we all went to the RSL for dinner together, so the ability to stay together and stay the course has been fantastic.

“As I said to them afterwards, ‘this wasn’t just, hey, we managed to fluke one out of the bag’, it’s been coming. And even though we lost to Frankston last week it was probably our best performance in a lot of ways, they beat us by 160 the first time and 80 the second time, we ran out of puff in the end. But we won a quarter…

“We’ve been getting better and better, this was the first time we’ve put four quarters together.”

Holton has been a revelation for Karingal. Last season he didn’t kick a single goal, but in 2025 he’s leading the Bulls’ goal kicking tally with 23.

“He’s been great,’’ Burke said.

“I can’t really describe his role but he’s in the forward line with licence to come up into the middle, but then he’s also in the midfield rotation as well…we just need a bigger body in there, a our younger guys were getting beaten around a bit, so he’s taken on that role of being able to play forward, play in the midfield…we’ve given him a fair bit of leg rope and he’s making the most of it.’’

Callan Dixon was one of Karingal’s best in the win. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Burke also sung the praises of youngster Smith, who gave the side sizzle on a wing.

“He had 18 possessions on the half back line last week, so I said, ‘mate I want you having that same amount of possessions but I’m going to put you up on the wing so those possessions end up in our forward line and we’re getting a bit more benefit out of your left foot,’’ he said.

“He did the same again and he also kicked two goals.’’

Pusch in the ruck played his most competitive game, Baylin McLeod did well in the backline and Bailey played a key role in defence.

“A lot of the young blokes just really contributed,’’ Burke said.

Karingal’s side also included 43-year-old Bulls great Michael Burke, who has played the past four games in the seniors.

On Saturday he sat out the second half after copping a knee in the lower back but his experience has been valuable for the young Bulls.

“Just to have him in the side, he makes good decisions with the footy, he shows the others what can be done with the ball with a bit of composure. He’s been outstanding,’’ Nathan Burke said.

Karingal will regain Teddy Banks and Jackson Burke next week after their European vacation. The Bulls face Seaford, Chelsea, Bonbeach and Rye before the curtain draws on the season, and Burke hopes to be singing the song again.