MPNFL 2019: Sorrento storms home to beat Mt Eliza
Sorrento coach Luke Tapscott said his side “got out of jail’’ after it rattled home to beat Mt Eliza by eight points and remain unbeaten in MPNFL Division 1 on Saturday.
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Sorrento coach Luke Tapscott said his side “got out of jail’’ after it rattled home to beat Mt Eliza by eight points and remain unbeaten in MPNFL Division 1 on Saturday.
Sharks forward Leigh Poholke kicked a goal from 50m with a minute remaining to seal a stirring 11.13 (79) to 10.11 (71) victory that looked unlikely at half-time when they trailed by 29 points.
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Sorrento outscored Mt Eliza nine goals to two in the second half.
“It’s not ideal being down by seven goals but it was impressive that we can score so quickly and get ourselves back in the game,’’ Tapscott said.
“We had that belief that we were never out of it.’’
Former Hawthorn ruckman Luke Lowden fuelled Sorrento’s charge, kicking three goals in the last quarter after copping a big hit and spending most of the third term on the bench.
“He told me he was right to go so I said, ‘go and sit at full forward’, and he ended up kicking three in the last,’’ Tapscott said.
“It was really handy having him down there.’’
Luke Brigden at full-back kept Mt Eliza’s Shawn Watson goalless, while Chad Harris, Shannon Gladman and former North Melbourne midfielder Sam Gibson were key factors in the win. Ethan Park, Blaine Coates and Harrison Scott (three goals) were among Mt Eliza’s best.
Pines star Paul Scanlon faces a long period on the sidelines after breaking his ankle in the Pythons’ 22-point win over Edithvale-Aspendale.
The league medal winner landed awkwardly when he was shoved while taking a kick. “It was just one of those footy injuries,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.
“It is what it is. It will freshen him up for the back half of the year hopefully.’’
In a scrappy affair, Pines led throughout to win 9.14 (68) to 7.4 (46), with Nick Boswell, Perry Lewis-Smith and Luke Potts prominent and Corey Ash keeping Edi-Asp forward Shayne Allan goalless.
Competition newcomer Dromana climbed to top spot after stunning the Frankston Bombers with a red-hot first half.
The Tigers hurried to a 10-3 to 0-6 lead by half-time and went on to win by 40 points, with Billy Quigley and Matt Gahan turning in superb games.
“Really good first half,’’ Dromana coach Rikki Johnston said.
“We probably tapered off a bit in the second half but under the conditions I thought the boys played well.
“We’re happy, no injuries and things are going along nicely. We’ve got a couple of big weeks coming up, with YCW and Sorrento, and that will give us a good gauge as to how we measure up against the big boys. We are happy with how we are going and the boys are enjoying the challenge.’’
Frankston YCW had 51 scoring shots as it thrashed Mornington by 86 points, 19.32 (146) to 9.6 (60), at Alexandra Park.
The Stonecats ran rampant, with Paul Minchington, Cody Henness, Kyle Hutchison and Lachlan Street kicking four goals apiece.
“We were super keen to make amends for last week,’’ YCW coach Wayne Capp said.
“We were filthy that we let that slip (against Sorrento), not taking our opportunities in front of goal. We were really keen to come out and put on a good show, which we did.’’
Jackson Calder kicked five goals to be Mornington’s stand out player.
Jo Fisscher fired off six goals to help Bonbeach secure a 25-point win over Rosebud, 12.14 (86) to 9.7 (61).
Shane McDonald, Dylan Jones and Jack Williams also fuelled the Sharks charge after they trailed by 15 points at quarter time. Rosebud’s best were Reid Nanscawen and Greg Bentley.
Round 3:
Good Friday: Mt Eliza v Frankston Bombers, Edi-Asp v Bonbeach. Saturday: Pines v Mornington, Frankston YCW v Dromana, Rosebud v Sorrento.
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