MPNFL Division 2: Red Hill defeats Karingal in qualifying final

RED Hill hit the go button at precisely the right time to pull away from Karingal in the MPNFL Division 2 qualifying final at Somerville on Saturday.

RED Hill hit the go button at precisely the right time to pull away from Karingal in the MPNFL Division 2 qualifying final at Somerville on Saturday.

The Hillmen kicked four unanswered goals in the last quarter to advance to a second-semi final clash against Dromana with an 8.11 (59) to 3.9 (27) win over the Bulls.

Karingal will regroup and contest the do-or-die first semi-final.

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Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo praised his young side for responding when the game was on the line.

“It was a bit of an arm wrestle for three quarters … and good to break it open in the last,’’ he said.

“It was a solid hit out. They (Karingal) came pretty hard and we weren’t able to get our ball movement going until the last quarter.’’

Scores were level late in the third quarter before Red Hill’s Tom McEncroe kicked a long goal to send the Hillmen into the three quarter-time huddle with a spring in their step.

Jonathon Ross slotted the opening goal of the last term and Chris Irving kicked another as Red Hill took control. When spring heeled Zach Vines rose above the pack to take a hanger from a Dylan Hoare kick, and then convert, the Hillmen were home.

Red Hill got the better of Karindgal in Saturday’s Division 2 qualifying final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Former Frankston and Sandringham VFL player Irving was named best-afield, leading the way with his experience, while Jonah Siversen was rock solid down back and Jake Mold, Aidan Marchesani and Jake Mitchell were influential in the middle.

Matt Jackson and Andy Mathers tried hard for Karingal.

Karingal coach Bret Dunne said his side had its chances.

“We had the game where we wanted it at three quarter time,’’ he said.

“We let a goal go through late in that (third) quarter (and) that was disappointing and then we couldn’t maintain the ball in our forward half in the last quarter at all.

“The most disappointing thing for us is when they got two goals in front we probably just panicked a little bit. It was still a gettable game at that point … we’ll learn.’’

Mollo said winning a final was crucial for his young side.

“It just showed a real sense of belief in what we can actually achieve this year when we are playing at our best for long enough,’’ he said.

“There is a massive way to go.’’

Mollo said Red Hill was looking forward to taking on the once-beaten Dromana.

“There’s a bit of belief there because we’ve beaten them once and we had a really good half against them last time,’’ he said.

Red Hill 1.1, 3.4, 4.8, 8.11 (59) d Karingal 1.1, 2.4, 3.7, 3.9 (27).