MPNFL 2019: Red Hill pulls away from Karingal to clinch its first premiership since 1990
A rampaging Red Hill has captured an elusive premiership after accelerating clear of Karingal in the MPNFL Division 2 grand final.
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Red Hill snapped a 29-year premiership drought with a comprehensive 38-point triumph over Karingal in Saturday’s MPNFL Division 2 grand final.
The Hillmen started slowly in front of a huge crowd at Frankston Park, but a five-goal-to-one last term buried the Bulls and secured the club’s first flag since 1990, with a 9.11 (65) to 4.3 (27) victory.
Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo, in his second season at the helm, dedicated the win to the club’s loyal band of supporters.
“All the supporters have been waiting a long time for this,’’ he said.
“Thank you for all your support, it’s been awesome.’’
Mollo said the premiership had been several seasons in the making, and was especially sweet after the Hillmen lost last season’s grand final by eight points.
“We were disappointed last year and it’s been a driving mechanism for us through the pre-season and they committed to extra days to try and get better and they did,’’ Mollo said.
“The way they cracked in today, we had a plan to execute, pressure them really hard and get them on the spread and it took three quarters to do that but in the last quarter within 10 minutes...that happened.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.’’
It took Red Hill nearly 35 minutes to score its first goal in the grand final — but it was a ripper.
Midway through the second quarter, Jono Ross burst out of the middle, toe-poked the ball to himself, gathered it, took a bounce, doubled back to shake his opponent and snapped truly on his left to put the Hillmen in front — and that’s where they stayed.
Soon after, Red Hill went 11 points ahead when Matt Hyden cleverly found Chris Irving, who played on and snapped a beauty.
The Hillmen led by 12 points at halftime after keeping Karingal scoreless in the second term. The Bulls’ sole goal came from the boot of Luke Van Raay 12 minutes into the first term.
Karingal’s champion spearhead Marc Holt copped a whack to the nose in the opening quarter and trainers couldn’t stop the bleeding. Nor could Karingal late in the game.
Holt tried to get the Bulls going and was paid a free kick early in the third quarter and slotted his first goal to cut Red Hill’s lead to six points.
A heavy downpour made conditions slippery but Red Hill playmaker Jake Mitchell showed sublime skills to nail a brilliant goal from against the boundary line as the Hillmen restored its 12 point lead, and their belief grew.
Michael Mock took a high mark in the backline to defuse a Karingal thrust, and when Josh Mold converted a free kick and punched the air, Red Hill’s lead was out to 18 points.
Karingal defender Cal Dixon was left bloodied after a head clash with Daniel McNamara.
Karingal kept coming.
Late in the third term, forward Matt Robinson took a chest mark and slotted a goal to keep the Bulls in it, trailing by 12 points at the last change.
In slippery conditions, it was a significant lead, but Karingal was within striking range.
The Bulls’ hopes of a come-from-behind win increased when captain Andy Mathers intercepted a kick and banged through the first goal of the final quarter to cut Red Hill’s lead to only eight points.
But the Hillmen, kicking to the Kars St end, could sense history and found another gear, responding with five unanswered goals — by Ross, Danny Allsop, Jonah Siversen and Irving.
Allsop’s superb snap put Red Hill 20 points up and sent fans behind the goals into raptures.
Mollo said he and his team knew they had it won.
“To actually realise 15 minutes into the last quarter that we were going to get the job done was bloody awesome and I think all the emotion just came out at once,’’ he said.
“As the rotations kept rolling through I just kept telling the boys to, ‘take your time to enjoy the atmosphere and soak it up’.
“It’s hard enough to get to one (grand final) let alone win one, so they needed to enjoy the hard work they’d put in.
“It’s a great day for the footy club.’’
Capping a big day for Red Hill, its Under 19s also won the flag.
Red Hill great Owen Shaw had the honour of presenting the elusive premiership cup to Mollo and captain Marcus Dal Lago.
Mitchell was awarded the medal for best-on-ground after racking up a heap of touches and slotting that terrific goal in the third term.
Red Hill had a raft of contributors, including defenders Lachlan Chandler and Dan Frampton, who did a mighty job on Holt.
Irving finished with three goals and his experience was vital in the big game, while ruckman Harry Wynn-Pope was outstanding and Siversen and Hyden were influential.
Hyden played on a wing and his ball use and poise was terrific.
Karingal champion Michael Burke tried his heart out and was his side’s best player, with Dixon, Dylan Gregson, Mathers, Justin Farrelly and Ryan Davey also named in the best.
Karingal had a tough day, losing in the seniors, reserves and Under 19s.
The Bulls, clearly hurting, showed class during the presentation by applauding every Red Hill player as they received their premiership medal.
Red Hill took the flag after winning 18 of its 20 games in 2019. It’s only two losses were to Karingal, in Round 1 and Round 14, when the Hillmen failed to score a goal.
Red Hill will step up to Division 1 next season and Mollo said his talented young list was ready.
“We’ve got some great depth coming through,’’ he said.
“We still need to look at recruiting some players but by the same token we are more than prepared.’’
MPNFL: RED HILL WINS THROUGH TO GF
MPNFL: HILLMEN CHASE ELUSIVE PREMIERSHIP
Red Hill 0.3, 2.7, 4.9, 9.11 (65) d Karingal 1.1, 1.1, 3.2, 4.3 (27).
Red Hill: Goals: C. Irving 3, J. Ross 2, J. Mold, J. Siversen, J. Mitchell.
Best: J. Mitchell, L. Chandler, D. Frampton, C. Irving, H. Wynn-Pope, J. Siversen.
Karingal: Goals: L. VanRaay, M. Holt, A. Mathers, M. Robinson.
Best: C. Dixon, M. Burke, D. Gregson, A. Mathers, J. Farrelly, R. Davey.
Reserves: Langwarrin 16.12 (108) d Karingal 4.9 (33). Best on ground: Dale Donkin (8 goals).
Under 19s: Red Hill 7.4 (46) d Karingal 4.6 (30). Best on ground: Liam Reilly (Red Hill).
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