MPNFL 2019: Somerville surges into finals while Red Hill claims minor premiership

Somerville will enter the MPNFL Division 2 finals with momentum and confidence. The Eagles are flying.

Langwarrin’s Blake Peach gets a handball away in front of teammate Joel Bateman (left) and Red Hill’s Chris Irving. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A five-game winning streak has propelled Somerville into the finals.

The Eagles, who last saw finals action in 2016, secured fifth spot with a 31-point win over Brendan Fevola’s Hastings in the final round on Saturday.

Fev’s Blues wound up seventh.

Red Hill’s Zach Vines and Langwarrin’s Matt Naughton.

Somerville coach Brad Canavan said he was coaching his team to play finals when he was appointed last November and now he’s ticked that box.

“The club was chockers last night, everyone having a beer and a laugh,’’ Canavan said.

“I’m proud of our coaching staff in terms of the standards we’ve set and the expectations we’ve put on the boys but more importantly, the boys bought in.

“You get reward for effort and committing to wanting to be better.’’

Somerville kicked five of the first six goals to rush to a 27-point lead at the first change against Hastings.

The Eagles’ lead was trimmed to five points by halftime as Hastings made a charge but Somey kicked five goals-to-one in the second half to clear away.

Luke Burton was named best-on-ground after a tough and “smart’’ display, according to Canavan, while Paul Fermanis was dominant with four goals and captain Ben Sedgwick held Fevola to two goals.

Langwarrin’s Jarryd Amalfi is tackled by Josh Mold.

Red Hill dasher Danny Allsop.

Niall Young did well in the ruck and Nathan Gillis and Jesse Walker-Swain impressed for the high flying Eagles.

For Hastings, Luke Hewitt, Luke Clark and Aaron Vinson tried hard.

Somerville will face Chelsea in the elimination final at Mornington on Sunday.

Red Hill capped an outstanding 16-2 home-and-away season with a resounding 31-point win over Langwarrin, 7.7 (49) to 2.6 (18).

Red Hill’s Sean Holmes kicked the only goal of the first half before the ladder leaders accelerated clear.

Red Hill’s Daniel McNamara on the move. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Good win by the boys,’’ Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo said.

“We had a real focus to hunt and compete hard for four quarters and we had a game plan going in as to how we wanted to beat them and the boys executed it really well.

“We always wanted to be playing our best footy come Round 18 and yesterday was kind of a lead into the finals.’’

Red Hill’s Danny Allsop tweaked his hamstring in the third quarter and James Fletcher rolled his ankle but Mollo hoped they’d be okay to play in finals.

Crib Point avoided the wooden spoon with a rousing 13-point win over Tyabb. Myles Jamieson and Joel Wisken were instrumental as the Magpies turned a 20-point quarter-time deficit into an 11.7 (73) to 10.8 (68) victory.

Liam O’Connor and Harry DeKleuver were also terrific for Cribby, while Jacob Cook, Tom Panich and Jarrod Fisk slotted two goals apiece.

For Tyabb, Brayden Pitcher booted four goals and young Will Hose sparkled.

MPNFL: SINKHOLE CAUSES GAME TO BE ABANDONED

Devon Meadows kicked five goals in the second and third quarters to upset finals-bound Chelsea by eight points, 10.13 (73) to 8.17 (65).

Stuart Cunningham, Patty Harmes and Michael Theodoridis were named best for the Panthers, who turned things around after trailing by 21 points at the first change.

Seaford easily accounted for Rye, 13.10 (88) to 5.6 (36), but missed out of finals on percentage.

Finals Week 1:

Saturday: Qualifying Final: Karingal v Langwarrin, at Somerville.

Sunday: Elimination Final: Chelsea v Somerville, at Mornington.