MPNFL 2019: Former AFL player Robin Nahas makes strong debut for Pines

Former Richmond and North Melbourne forward Robin Nahas enjoyed a memorable debut for Pines on Saturday.

Robin Nahas on the move for Pines on Saturday. Picture: Natasha Cornell

Former Richmond and North Melbourne forward Robin Nahas enjoyed a memorable debut in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League on Saturday, booting a vital goal to help Pines snatch a nine-point win over the Frankston Bombers.

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With the Pythons trailing by five points deep into the last quarter at Eric Bell Reserve, Nahas took a mark about 40m out and was shoved by his Bombers opponent.

Umpire Brett Gent swiftly awarded a 50m penalty which put Nahas in the goal square and he popped through a simple goal to put Pines ahead.

Pines coach Paddy Swayn at the huddle.

The Pythons won 12.9 (91) to 10.12 (72) to remain undefeated at 5-0.

“I was happy we ground it out,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“We had to rely on a bit of spirit there at the end. It was good.’’

Pines tackling machine Khyal Jacobson capped a best-on-ground display with a vital goal, while Jonathan Hughes, Guy Hendry, Luke Potts, Russell Gabriel and Shaun White were influential in the win.

Swayn said Nahas was “very good offensively’’ and will only get better once his fitness levels rise.

“He misses next week and then he plays four in a row,’’ Swayn said of Nahas.

“He will get some good continuity. He will keep getting better.

“He loved it. That’s his first game of local footy ever I think. He pretty much went TAC (Cup) to Port Melbourne, got drafted and had eight years in the AFL and then back to Port. So that’s his first game of local footy. He was impressed. He liked it.’’

Guy Hendry played as a forward for Pines on Saturday.

The game was also marked by a major milestone by one of the umpires, Jason Hughes, who officiated in his 500th game.

The Frankston Bombers were gallant in defeat, with Corey Buchan kicking six goals, including three in the opening quarter, and Ryan Marks-Logan and Dylan Sutton impressing.

Rosebud continued its giant-killing ways, upsetting Frankston YCW by 33 points at John Coburn Oval.

A week after beating Edi-Asp, the Buds played with the same intensity to stun the Stonecats 12.6 (78) to 6.9 (45).

“They were outstanding, the boys,’’ Rosebud coach Nick Jewell said.

“YC got a couple of injuries early which helped us but we brought the style that we had last week (against Edi-Asp).

“The last two weeks we’ve played eight good quarters of pretty good footy.’’

Again, the Downie brothers were instrumental for Rosebud, with Keegan kicking five goals and Sean racking up the touches.

Rosebud’s backline was superb, led by Daniel Wilson and Seb Krumeich, while Jari Kennedy, Fletcher Hustwaite and Jackson McRae were also excellent.

“All the old Rosebud faithful were there yesterday,’’ Jewell said. “One of them said he’d played YC 17 times in his career and never beaten them. It’s a hard place to go and win.’’

Daniel Hughes and Mackenna Hura tried hard for Frankston YCW, which lost Paul Minchington to a hamstring injury.

Bonbeach ruckman Dylan Jones high fives teammate Shane McDonald.

A sizzling best-on-ground display by Shane McDonald fuelled Bonbeach’s 13.11 (89) to 10.7 (67) win over Mornington at the Kennel.

Sharks ruckman Dylan Jones also played a splendid game and first-gamer Jake Gazzola was mobbed by teammates after slotting a goal in the first quarter, but McDonald was “a class above everybody else’’, according to Bonny co-coach Steve Hughes.

“Sometimes those conditions bring out the best in the better players and he was outstanding. Just a brilliant game of footy,’’ he said.

Mornington, winless, suffered a couple of key injury blows, with captain Chris Baker rupturing his patella tendon and Ryan Smith breaking an ankle.

Dromana improved its record to 3-2 with a stirring 17-point win over Mt Eliza.

Billy Quigley ignited the Tigers with a great game, while Terry Wheeler and Sam Fowler kicked two goals apiece. Dromana kicked the only three goals of the last quarter to win 8.9 (57) to 5.10 (40).

“It was a shocking day for footy with the wind and the rain but for most of the day it was a really good contest, pretty physical,’’ Dromana coach Rikki Johnston said.

“It was a pretty big test for us because Mt Eliza were in the same area on the ladder as us, so these are the ones we have to win if we want to think about finishing in that top five.’’

Sorrento continued its unbeaten start to the season, dispatching Edi-Asp 15.17 (107) to 10.8 (68) at McFarlane Reserve.

With Daryl Somers entertaining guests at the famous Sorrento luncheon, the Sharks turned it on with six first-term goals to rush to a 22-point lead and they were never threatened.

Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast midfielder Mitch Hallahan was best-on-ground, while Leigh Poholke slotted six goals and James Hallahan and Sam Gibson dominated.