MPNFL 2020: Mornington set to attack Division 2 season with vigour
Mornington welcomes a promising big man and several exciting types as Simon Goosey’s Bulldogs prepare for life in MPNFL Division 2.
Local Footy
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It just doesn’t look right.
Scan the 2020 MPNFL Division 1 fixture and there’s a side missing — mighty Mornington.
The Bulldogs are in Division 2 this year after being relegated from the top flight in 2019.
“Oh well, mate, it is what it is, you can’t do much about it,” Mornington coach Simon Goosey said.
Goosey is putting on a brave front but you sense he’s still seething from taking the drop.
“It is what it is,’’ he insisted.
“You either cry about it or you move on.”
Goosey said Mornington was approaching life in Division 2 like any other season, with positivity and determination.
“It’s no different...you go out there to achieve,” he said.
“As we saw last year there’s not much in it. Dromana came from Division 2 to win (the premiership in Division 1).”
Some are predicting Mornington to do the rubber ball theory and bounce straight back up, but Goosey only wants to see hard work from his players.
Mornington has recruited Beaconsfield ruckman Riley Welsh and ex-Sandringham and Noble Park midfielder Bryce Dinger.
“Riley Welsh will be a good ruckman, he really came on last year with Beacy,” Goosey said.
Of Dinger, Goosey said: “He’ll be a really good midfielder, really clean”.
Tim Varigos, a “smart forward’’ who played with Rushworth Tigers last season, is another arrival.
Trent Attard has also come over from Mt Eliza.
“Mate, he’s good, I like him,’’ Goosey said of Attard. “Small, quick, yeah, good pressure. He’s been going really well.’’
Goosey said Mornington’s success would be generated from its quality crop of youngsters.
“The last couple of years we’ve been working really hard with the youngsters and there are more exciting youngsters coming through,” he said.
“If you want sustained success you’ve got to have a good junior program.”
Mornington spearhead Jackson Calder has been playing in Darwin over summer and will start the season fit and in form.
And the “Goose’’ hasn’t ruled out landing another recruit or two.
“You never know, mate, there’s a couple still out there so you never know,” he said.
Mornington meets Langwarrin in the opening round on April 4 before hosting Karingal under lights at the Kennel on Good Friday.
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Yes, night footy is coming to Mornington.
“That will be a big night,’’ Goosey said.
MORNINGTON 2020
Ins: Riley Welsh (Beaconsfield), Bryce Dinger (Noble Park), Tim Varigos (Rushworth), Trent Attard (Mt Eliza), Hayden Anderson and Luke Ambler (Frankston Dolphins SFNL).
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