MPNFL 2019: Red Hill goes goalless in loss to Karingal

It usually rains goals at Red Hill. But not on Saturday. Karingal ploughed through the mud to notch a vital win.

Players had to contend with a muddy corridor in the Seaford-Somerville match at Belvedere Reserve on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Stronger for longer — with this mantra, a relentless Karingal kept Red Hill goalless as it posted its second win over the Hillmen this season to climb to the top of the MPNFL Division 2 ladder on Saturday.

In conditions described as “horrendous’’ — including several bursts of hail — at the Chip, the Bulls ploughed through the mud to win 6.4 (40) to 0.3 (3).

“Just a really good team effort,’’ Karingal coach Brendan Dunne said.

“It’s probably the first time we’ve played a genuine four quarter game. The effort and intensity was there from start to finish.’’

Somerville’s Daniel Marshall has eyes for the footy. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Red Hill has kicked some big scores this season, including a 34-goal haul in its previous game, but could only manage two points in the first half and one behind in the last quarter.

“We had opportunities to score but we just didn’t fire to be a hundred per cent honest,’’ Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo said.

“Coming off the bye, I’m not sure if it was that. But I’ll give them (Karingal) credit, they played extremely well, had a real intent on the day. Between the arcs we kind of lost it. I won’t make any excuses. We played poorly.’’

Seaford’s Andrew Teakel is wrapped up by Somerville’s Rowan Hogenbirk. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In conditions that rewarded players who put their body on the line, Karingal’s Lachlan Hinde, ruckman Max Smith, Ryan Davey, defender Cal Dixon and Buddha Hirst, in his first game of the season, were influential.

For Red Hill, defender Dan Frampton did a good job on Bulls spearhead Marc Holt (two goals) and young Zach Vines tried hard in the ruck.

Dunne said his players “really harped on’’ the stronger for longer motto throughout the game.

“I’ve been really critical on the boys not giving effort for the whole game and only winning because we were playing sort of one quarter of footy so I really asked them to give me four quarters and that’s what they did — and the boys came up with that motto as a bit of a theme for the rest of the year,’’ he said.

Somerville’s Nick Mason. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Karingal has now beaten Red Hill in the dry (in Round 1) and in the wet, but both coaches refused to concede the Bulls had an edge in their rivalry.

“Have they got the wood on us?’’ Mollo said.

“Well, they’ve beaten us twice. I would say both times we’ve learnt lessons that will be valuable come when we meet them again which I’m tipping will be finals.’’

Somerville levelled the win-loss ledger at seven apiece and kept its finals hopes alive with a stirring 20-point win over fifth-placed Seaford, 5.16 (46) to 3.8 (26).

“It just keeps us in the hunt,’’ Eagles coach Brad Canavan said.

“Seaford still have the upper hand, a couple of games clear, but it was nearly win or go home yesterday for us.’’

Eagles star Paul Fermanis tries to mark in front. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Somerville kicked 2.8 in the opening quarter to open up a 13-point lead at the first change and held the advantage throughout.

“The credit goes to our coaching staff, they kept them up and mixed up training and kept them believing,’’ Canavan said.

Canavan said it was old school footy in the mud and Somerville’s ability to win the footy inside and outrside at stoppages was key.

Seaford’s Andrew Teakel. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Kane McKenzie, Daniel Marshall (two goals), Ben Sedgwick, Justin Allsopp, Nathan Gillis and Rowan Hogenbirk were outstanding for the Eagles, while first-gamers Ryan McMahon, a running wingman, and Matty Jackson (in ruck and at centre half forward) impressed.

Charlie Dixon, in his first game for the year, also caught the eye up forward.

Seaford’s best were Kieran Shaw, Nick Braund, Zac Vansittart and Dean Kemble.

Langwarrin climbed into the top three after a late goal by Tim McGenniss helped it snatched a come-from–behind seven-point win over Chelsea, 4.10 (34) to 4.3 (27).

The Kangaroos trailed by two points at three quarter time before McGenniss nailed the only goal of the last term.

“A very important win, mate,’’ Langwarrin coach Josh Beard said.

“That was huge for us with the draw we have ahead of us. We still play three of the top four coming home so every game is huge for us.’’

Langwarrin started strongly, kicking the only three goals of the first quarter, before Chelsea fought back with three unanswered goals in the third term.

“Credit to them, they locked down one-on-one and won the fifty fifties and swung the game back in their favour against the wind,’’ Beard said.

Langwarrin coach Josh Beard. Picture: Chris Eastman

“And credit to our boys, I think probably 80 percent of the (last) quarter was played in our forward seventy and we just weren’t able to score until Timmy McGenniss broke through for a goal to put us seven points in front.’’

Beard praised Langy defender Shane Paterson for his job on Curtis Bywater (one goal), while small forward Ash Fenech applied constant pressure, along with Mitch Cuthbert, Blake Harkness, Matt Naughton and Blake Peach.

For Chelsea, which lost Brad Clark to a leg injury in the warm up, Luke Caspersz, Ben Holman and Jesse Davies tried hard.

Langwarrin forward Jesse Murphy hurt his neck and didn’t play after halftime while Billy Rolfe suffered a lower back injury.

Devon Meadows forward Joel Hillis had a day out, firing off seven goals, to help the Panthers snap a 10-game losing streak with an all-the-way 56-point win over Pearcedale, 15.9 (99) to 6.7 (43).

Hillis combined well with Hayden Murphy (two goals) and Lachlan Craig (two), while Lachlan Moss, Stuart Cunningham, Riley Thorpe, Patty Harmes and Liam Drew also impressed.

DROMANA FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH TO SINK SORRAS

Hastings got on top of Tyabb after half-time to record a 27-point win, 9.12 (66) to 5.9 (39). Luke Hewitt capped a best-on-ground display with three goals, while Jake Hewitt, Steve Robb, Josh Ward, Stephen Williams and Aaron Vinson also were influential for the Blues. Teenage Tyabb defender Lachlan Cox had a good battle with Brendan Fevola, holding the former AFL champ to one goal. Brock Regan and Ethan Rahilly also did well for the Yabbies.

Steve Hamill runs out for Crib Point's reserves side on Saturday.

*Former Frankston Dolphins VFL captain and best and fairest winner Steve Hamill made a comeback on Saturday, at age 52, to help fill the reserves team for the club he’s coaching, Crib Point. He played well, too, getting plenty of touches and kicking a goal.