MPFNL: Frankston Bombers defeat Pearcedale to soar to top spot in Division 2

Frankston Bombers coach Jarrad Grant explains how his side bounced back from “some pretty dire scenes’’ to set the pace in MPFNL Division 2.

Mitchell Charles takes a kick for the Frankston Bombers. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Frankston Bombers coach Jarrad Grant has praised his players’ “whole team focus” for driving the club’s remarkable turnaround.

After being relegated from Division 1 last year, the Bombers have come through the opening five rounds of Division 2 this season undefeated and as ladder leaders.

Their wins have been by 62, 169, 66, 53 and 36 points.

The Bombers on Saturday passed their biggest test yet, overpowering Pearcedale 15.14 (104) to 8.20 (68) in the battle of the undefeated sides at Baxter Park.

Grant described the clash as a “marquee match up”, and said his side relished the challenge.

“We drew a lot from the occasion and being able to play in a big game as such,” he said.

Former VFL star Khan Haretuku slotted four goals for the Bombers, who counted ruckman Harrison Prior as their best player, along with former Dandenong Stingrays captain Bayleigh Welsh.

Bayleigh Welsh takes a kick. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Grant said being relegated in 2024 rattled the Bombers.

“To be honest with you it was quite a grim circumstance on the last day of the season last year when we lost and then looked around the grounds to see that it was us that were going to finish last,” he said.

“There were some pretty dire scenes, a lot of disappointed and flat people.

“It did obviously take a few weeks to digest everything that was going to come our way and we were going to go down.

“But we were able to retain probably 95 percent of our list, which was a key attribute to respond.

“For me it was an acknowledgement that our club was a place that these players wanted to stay and be involved with.

“And then we got to work over pre season.”

Alex Harnett.

Grant, who took over as coach of the Frankston Bombers on the eve of the 2024 season, said key recruits Sam Glenn, Tyson Barry and Matt Robinson had made an impact this season.

Also the club’s emerging group of young players, including Jai Block, Mitch Charles, Flynn Wood, Spencer Robertson and Welsh, were helping to drive the club forward.

Charles, Wood and Welsh have leadership roles, as vice captains, this season.

“The majority of our list is 23 or 24 and under,’’ Grant said.

“Our boys have still got a lot of growth and development.

“We’ve got a lot of young boys who have got 10 to 50 games under their belt at senior level and have started to understand how they get the footy themselves, defending, structures.

“Senior footy has changed a lot, there’s a lot more that goes into it, it takes time for those kids to come in and figure it out.’’

Cranbourne premiership player Barry has been lively, kicking 13 goals.

“Tyson Barry, his name is going to start to go up on opposition white boards,’’ Grant said.

“He’s a really, really handy small forward who’s able to create goals not only for himself but for teammates as well.’’

Karingal recruit Matt Robinson kicked two goals in his first game for the Bombers on Saturday and Grant said his experience was vital.

“He’s been around the traps, whether he’s got one or two years left...he, like all of us, is chasing that final day, he’s in for that success,’’ he said.

“He’s been really helpful as well in terms of a coaching aspect for me, just having an older, wise head, someone who’s been involved in the Division 2 system for a number of years, to give feedback on teams and the way they go about things.’’

Grant said Block, who has kicked 15 goals this season (after 28 last year), was a key figure in the Bombers forward line.

“He has kicked goals for the last couple of years, he continues to come on in leaps and bounds,’’ he said.