MPFNL: Frankston Bombers overcome loss of points to make MPFNL Division 1 finals
Frankston Bombers coach John Brown explains how a player points breach actually drove his club to a finals berth in MPFNL Division 1.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Frankston Bombers’ flag dream is alive after they grabbed a finals berth in MPFNL Division 1 with a rousing 11-point win over Mt Eliza in the last round of the season on Saturday.
Alex Harnett was best afield while Connor Does and Lachlan Robinson slotted two goals apiece for the Bombers, who have overcome setbacks this season, including the loss of premiership points due to a player points breach.
Frankston Bombers coach John Brown said last month’s setback proved a turning point in his club’s season.
“It’s been amazing,” Brown said.
“The players just put it behind them and went to work.
“And it did galvanise the group and the club, the committee, the coaches, everybody came together collectively and truth be known we probably played our best football in that period in terms of growth and development and where we want to head.”
Frankston defended stoutly and attacked when it needed to against Mt Eliza on Saturday, winning 9.12 (66) to 8.7 (55).
It was a fitting result in Bombers favourite Jarryd Amalfi’s 100th game for the club.
“We were a couple of goals in control for the last quarter,” Brown said.
“Mt Eliza certainly pressed but we defended really well, maybe they got within a goal or seven points but we responded quite well, we kicked the next goal and really defended the ground and continued to attack. I was really pleased with the boys in their defensive work yesterday.”
Brown said Amalfi played a terrific game in his milestone.
“It was great to see him walk off the ground with his child and celebrate that milestone game with his family. It was really important.”
Frankston lost key forward Jarrad Grant halfway through the second quarter with a neck injury but is hopeful the former AFL-Bulldog and Sun will recover in time for next Sunday’s elimination final.
“It was probably whiplash,” Brown said.
“Post game he said he was fine.”
Frankston Bombers face Mt Eliza again in the elimination final at Rosebud.
Mt Eliza us likely to bring in Nathan Jones for the match.
“We’re quite buoyant, there’s a strong belief within the group,” Brown said.
“And I think just qualifying it’s given us the opportunity to really have a red hot go at what we thought we’d actually earned probably three or four weeks ago.
“We’ve got Mt Eliza again and they’ll re-group and I’m sure there are a few players who will return to their squad for next Sunday’s game, so we’re mindful they’ve got some talent to return to the team.
“They’ll do their homework but we’ve qualified and now it’s just head down and give it everything we’ve got.”
Meanwhile, Aaron Edwards kicked 4.7 to help Pines to a 72-point win over relegated Bonbeach, 18.11 (119) to 6.11 (47).
“He kicked all his goals scrappy, either on the run, kicking out of a pack and he had seven set shots and missed them all,” Pines coach Paddy Swayn said of Edwards.
“He had one of those days.”
Bonbeach, which finished on the bottom and will drop to Division 2 next year, announced after game that three of its finest players of the past decade had retired; Trent Dennis-Lane, Owen Hulett and Matt Douglas.
Frankston YCW coasted to a 70-point win over Rosebud, 17.13 (115) to 6.9 (45), with Brenton Lambert capping a best-on-ground display with four goals, and Matthew La Fontaine, Byron Barry and Blake Mullane impressing.
Jake Aarts ran rampant and Ethan Johnstone kicked five goals as Dromana trounced Sorrento by 66 points to bolt off with the minor premiership. The Tigers will go into the finals a warm flag favourite after a dominant 17-1 home-and-away campaign.
Red Hill beat Langwarrin by 37 points, 11.11 (77) to 5.10 (40), to farewell four of its retiring greats in style; Jake Mold, Harry Larwill, Marcus Dal Lago and Daniel McNamara. All four were in the best players, with Larwill slotting three goals. Red Hill won four of its last five games of the season.
MPFNL Division 1 Ladder: Dromana 68, Frankston YCW 52, Pines 48, Mt Eliza 42, Frankston Bombers 40, Sorrento 36, Red Hill 28, Rosebud 24, Langwarrin 14, Bonbeach 8.
Qualifying final, at Baxter Park, on Saturday: Frankston YCW v Pines.
Elimination final, at Rosebud, on Sunday: Mt Eliza v Frankston Bombers.
Gippsland bolter’s big boost for finals charge
Warragul is coming home hard in the Gippsland league and has received a major late season boost. See what’s happening.
Why WFNL coach is pushing for his club to look elsewhere
It might be the biggest coaching challenge in the entire WFNL but the man currently in charge of Tarneit has revealed why he is behind his role being advertised.