MPNFL 2018: Dromana thrashes Langwarrin to advance to grand final showdown with Red Hill

DROMANA coach Rikki Johnston says his side “couldn’t be in better nick’’ going into the MPNFL Division 2 grand final against Red Hill this Saturday.

Dromana’s Will Geurts (right) slots an early goal against Langwarrin in the preliminary final on Saturday. Picture: Chris Eastman

DROMANA coach Rikki Johnston says his side “couldn’t be in better nick’’ going into the MPNFL Division 2 grand final against Red Hill this Saturday.

The Tigers were ferocious as they mauled Langwarrin 22.12 (144) to 4.6 (30) in the preliminary final at Somerville on Saturday.

Stung into action by its loss to Red Hill a week earlier, Dromana fired off 18 of the first 19 goals.

“The week before gave us a bit of a wake-up call,’’ Johnston said.

“We refocused and had a really good week on the track and I think we came out and showed a bit of the form that we’d showed throughout the year.’’

Sam Fowler and Ben Holmes booted three goals apiece as Dromana’s options-a-plenty forward line functioned beautifully, while young gun Dean Waugh capped a best-on-ground performance with a long goal on the run.

Dromana’s Dean Waugh. Picture: Chris Eastman

Beau Cosson gets another possession for Dromana. Picture: Chris Eastman

“It was one of those days when we struggled to find a bad player,’’ Johnston said.

“Sam Guerts, Terry Wheeler, all the usual suspects, Dean Waugh played great games. I think we had 12 different goal kickers. You’re not going to lose many games when you have 12 different goal kickers.’’

Langwarrin had played with tremendous spirit to win two finals but the Kangaroos were out of bullets. Shane Paterson, Blake Peach and Mitch Cuthbert were their best.

So, it’s on to the big dance.

The best two sides, Red Hill and Dromana, will chase premiership glory at Frankston Park on Saturday.

Red Hill is out to snap a 28-year flag drought but Johnston says his Tigers are confident. “We’re ready to go,’’ he said. “We’ve pretty much got a full list to choose from, we couldn’t be in better nick going in.

“It’s about handling the occasion and having really good leaders in the group to guide the younger ones through. It’s just about taking your opportunity on the day. It goes pretty quick, the day, and the team that can best acquit themselves the sooner in the game generally is going to come out on top. We are really confident.’’

Grand Finals, at Frankston Park, Saturday: Seniors: Red Hill v Dromana. Reserves: Karingal v Hastings. Under 19s: Red Hill v Karingal.

KARINGAL was crowned MPNFL Division 2 A Grade netball premiers after beating Crib Point 34-28 in the grand final on Saturday.

In her first season at the club, coach Jess Whitfort managed to get all four of her Bullettes teams into grand finals.

Somerville won the B Grade flag, beating Karingal 38-36. Karingal took the C Grade title, beating Dromana 28-14 and Somerville won the D Grade flag, edging Karingal 26-24. In the 17 and under decider, Pearcedale defeated Hastings 35-15.