MPNFL 2019: Sorrento playing-coach Luke Tapscott injured in big win over Pines
Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast midfielder Mitch Hallahan ran rampant as Sorrento finished the home-and-away season in style.
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Sorrento playing-coach Luke Tapscott says he’s in a “race against the clock’’ to play in the second semi-final after injuring his hamstring on Saturday.
The Sharks thrashed reigning champs Pines by 63 points, 16.13 (109) to 6.10 (46), in the last round to finish two games clear on top of the ladder.
Sorrento, which has won five games in a row, will have a week off before launching its finals campaign.
Tapscott limped off in the opening quarter with what he called “a little hammy strain’’.
“I’d be no chance to play next weekend but luckily we have a week off so I will try and get up for the first final,’’ he said.
“The boys showed that they don’t need me anyway.’’
Sorrento rushed to a 35-point lead at half-time and then kicked five unanswered goals in the third term to leave Pines in their wake.
Remarkably, Sorrento captain James Hallahan returned to action less than nine weeks after suffering an ACL injury. And he played a terrific game on a wing.
Mitch Hallahan celebrated his brother’s return with a sparkling best-on-ground performance in the midfield, earning high praise from Tapscott.
“Mitch went to another level yesterday, he was unbelievable,’’ Tapscott said.
“It was pretty impressive watching him, I think he got a bit of a kick out of having Jim back out there as well. He’s been in good form all year but yesterday was something special for the crowd to watch.’’
Daniel Grant also starred across half back while Shannon Gladman, Nick Marston, Chad Harris and Alexander Bird impressed.
Pines coach Paddy Swayn said his side was missing a raft of key players, including Tim Bongetti and Guy Hendry, and would welcome back six or seven players for its qualifying final clash with Dromana.
“I know we got beaten pretty comfortably but I wasn’t that disappointed because we’ve just got that many out,’’ Swayn said.
“We will have a much different outfit next week.’’
Frankston YCW landed a psychological blow when it thrashed Bonbeach 13.13 (91) to 6.3 (39).
The Stonecats and Sharks will meet again in a do-or-die elimination final on Sunday at Rye.
“I’m really rapt with the way we finished it off,’’ YCW coach Wayne Capp said.
“I really wanted to have a good win and keep the momentum going.’’
Ben Wagner and Kyle Hutchison were outstanding for YCW, while Luke Paynter continued his good form with four goals.
Frankston YCW has won four in a row.
“It’s felt like we’ve been in an elimination final for the last month to be honest,’’ Capp said. “The boys have risen to every occasion.’’
Bottom side Mornington departed Division 1 with a rousing 18-point win over third-placed Dromana, 11.6 (72) to 6.18 (54).
Best-on-ground Mick Williams was instrumental in the ruck as the Bulldogs kicked three unanswered goals in the third quarter to dash 24 points clear at the last change.
Adrian Speedy and Josh Brown also starred, while Mornington teenagers Lachlan Susovich, Lachlan Gorka and Connor Jacoby impressed in defence.
Adding salt to Dromana’s loss was a hamstring injury to Kye Whtford, placing him in doubt for finals.
Mornington will be relegated for the first time in its history but coach Simon Goosey was philosophical.
“It’s not the first time we’ve finished on the bottom,’’ he said.
“I’m not losing sleep over it. People go on and on about it. It is what it is. Mate, it’s probably what we did five years ago when we didn’t look after the juniors.’’
Goosey said Mornington planned to hit back strongly in Division 2 next year.
Edi-Asp finished a disappointing season brightly, over-running Mt Eliza to record a 17-point win, 13.13 (91) to 11.8 (74).
Eagles coach Graeme Yeats praised his senior men Mark Mullins, Michael Bussey, Steve Mannix, Trent Robertson, Brett Dore and Mick Meehan.
“It was a great win. A lot of our senior players really stood up for us,’’ he said.
Edi-Asp finished second bottom with five wins and Yeats admitted it was a disappointing season.
“We started as a genuine contender but I guess mitigating circumstances prevented us from doing what we wanted to do,’’ he said.
“We thought in the back end of the year we became really competitive and played the kind of footy we wanted to. But we felt we were playing catch up a lot.’’
Daniel Lewis and Tim Lincoln slotted four goals apiece to help Rosebud to an eye-catching 65-point win over Frankston Bombers, 21.12 (138) to 10.13 (73).
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The Buds kicked five goals to one in the second quarter to open up a 34-point lead at half-time. Jari Kennedy capped an excellent season with a best-afield display and Jai Hardwick (two goals), Sean Downie and Fletcher Hustwaite also shone.
For Bombers, Koby Villis kicked four goals to be their best and Alex Harnett tried hard.
Next week:
Saturday: Qualifying final – Pines v Dromana, at Rosebud.
Sunday: Elimination final – Frankston YCW v Bonbeach, at Rye.
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