MPFNL: Ex-AFL star’s son slots the winner for Bonbeach

Bonbeach has snapped a seven-game losing streak with a thrilling victory at Sorrento, and a famous name played a starring role.

Trent Dennis-Lane and Jet Peckett were crucial in Bonbeach’s win over Sorrento. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“A new Bonbeach” is how coach Adrian Connolly refers to his side.

The faces might be young but the old Sharks spirit is still very much alive, as it proved on Saturday when Bonbeach came from three goals down in the last quarter to edge Sorrento by eight points, 16.12 (108) to 16.4 (100), to secure its first win of the 2023 season.

Bonbeach played off in last season’s Division 1 grand final but subsequently a stack of experience departed the club.

As a result, the Sharks lost their opening seven games of the season but Connolly says it’s “starting to turn a bit’’.

“They’re having a go,” Connolly said of his current side.

“I’m really proud of them, given the 14 (players) we lost, it’s a completely new team.

“It takes some time but it’s starting to pay us back a little bit with the time and energy they’ve put in.”

Bonbeach coach Adrian Connolly.

Matthew Douglas.

Saturday’s victory contained some great performances.

Jet Peckett, son of St Kilda 252-game star Justin Peckett, used his blistering pace to kick the match winner, one of his two goals in the last term as Bonbeach rallied.

“That was his best senior game of football yesterday,” Connolly said of Peckett.

“He’s been working really hard. He works hard to get his footy and he used it really well on the outside and I think it was fitting that he kicked the winning goal as well.

“He’s got amazing speed and he finally got one that bounced out the back that he ran onto and into an open goal and they ran from everywhere to get around him.”

Bonbeach trailed by 14 points at the last break before kicking seven goals to four in the final quarter.

Former AFL Swan and Saint Trent Dennis-Lane kicked five goals for the winners, while ex Melbourne listed Liam Hulett was outstanding.

Connolly said Hulett has been in exceptional form all year.

“His footy has gone to another level,” Connolly said.

“He’s played key position and ruck, he hardly gets a break, he’s a workhorse but the one who leads them and they get on board. He’s been in super form.”

Bonbeach players sing the song after their win.

Dennis-Lane was playing only his fourth match this season and made the most of his opportunities.

“He got on the end of some really good work up the ground,” Connolly said.

“His goal kicking certainly helps, he’s still got it for a bloke of his age. He’s fantastic.”

Angus Grant was named in Bonbeach’s best after returning from illness and VFL duties.

“He did give us a target and kicked a couple of vital goals,” Connolly said.

Down back, Heath Mullen, Sam McIlwain and former Old mentonians player Jeremy Williams impressed.

“These kids who’ve played less than 10 games, they’re starting to find their feet a bit,” Connolly said.

“Plus we had a 16 and 17 year old play, Elwood Peckett and Cal Robertson, and they held their own.’’

Matthew Douglas, Calvin Lee and Rhys Hogan were also key factors in Bonny’s win.

For Sorrento, coach Leigh Poholke kicked six goals and Shannon Gladman continued his great form.

Connolly said coming from behind made the victory “even more sweeter’’.

“We finally played four quarters of footy, that was the big difference,’’ he said.

“We’ve wanted it every week, we’ve just played in patches. I reckon it’s been building.’’

Bonbeach remains on the bottom but Connolly said the side’s focus was more on performing each week.

“We’re not even worrying about that in all honesty,’’ he said of the Sharks’ 10th spot position.

“We’ll just take next week, yeah, the first quarter..

“We haven’t mentioned it, it’s all about trying to get our processes right. We haven’t mentioned ladder positions, we haven’t mentioned wins and losses, it’s just about trying to get it right because once we get it right, as we saw yesterday, we’ll be able to push everyone.”