MPFNL Division 2: Reuben Hanson kicks six as Karingal overpowers Rye

Karingal supporters got a glimpse into the future when a teenage forward crashed packs, clunked marks and ignited the Bulls. Now they’re looking to “cause a bit of havoc’’.

Reuben Hanson was best-on-ground for Karingal. Picture: Doug Farr

Karingal coach Luke Forsyth says it’s been a productive season for his side even though the wins have been sparse.

The Bulls on Saturday banked their fourth victory when they came from behind to beat Rye 16.10 (106) to 12.9 (81) at Rowley Reserve.

“It’s definitely been productive,” Forsyth said of the 2024 campaign in MPFNL Division 2.

“We knew we’d be young. At times we’ve been really good against those good sides, and when we drop off and can’t sustain it, good sides get a hold of us.

“I think we’ve proven we’re on the right track, we can match it with those good sides.

“I think if we can keep these boys together — we’ve debuted 11 kids this year out of our under 19 program and they’ve definitely shown they’re up to it.”

Karingal supporters got a glimpse into an exciting future on Saturday when centre half-forward Reuben Hanson kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance.

The athletic teenager crashed packs, clunked marks and ignited the Bulls, who kicked five goals in a row after trailing by seven points at halftime.

“Reuben was enormous,” Forsyth said.

“He’s had a good year but he really came of age yesterday at centre half-forward, I reckon he would have taken seven or eight marks and kicked six goals, and he would have crunched 20 packs which really set us up, just that effort, and it created some opportunities for us.”

Tom Curren fires out a handball. Picture: Sideline Photography

Matt “Lefty’’ Hill takes a kick for Karingal. Picture: Facebook

Another exciting Karingal prospect Taylon Valentine was also influential in the victory — on his 18th birthday.

Given an opportunity to run through the midfield, he excelled.

Experienced men Tom Curren and Matt Hill were superb for the Bulls in the middle, while Andrew Dean — against his former club — booted five goals, including a cracker in front of the pavilion.

Karingal dedicated the victory to beloved club stalwart and former timekeeper Mal Ritchie, who died last month.

Rye began like a rocket, with a 5.2 opening quarter, and the young Demons — much like Karingal — are building for the future. Kalani Ryan, Zach Byrns, Tyson Barnes, Tom Hughes and Brodie Sweetnam were Rye’s best.

Karingal’s five remaining games are against 9th Bonbeach, 11th Hastings, 7th Seaford, 3rd Chelsea and 1st Edithvale-Aspendale.

“If we can pinch another couple (wins) and finish on six or seven wins it would probably be around the mark I would think,’’ Forsyth said.

“We’ve just come out of a really solid month of the top four sides and now we’re playing the sides around us and this is our finals series really, the next month. Hopefully we can cause a bit of havoc on the way home and shape the five.”