MPNFL: Frankston YCW beats Bonbeach to advance to Division 1 grand final

Frankston YCW coach Paul Goonan thought his side had “blown it” before an “epic” goal with a minute left thrust the Stonecats into the MPNFL Division 1 grand final.

Luke Paynter kicked the match winner for Frankston YCW. Picture: Chris Eastman

Frankston YCW has booked its first grand final appearance in five years.

A goal on the run from about 45 out by Luke Paynter with a minute to go secured a three-point victory for the Stonecats over Bonbeach in Saturday’s MPNFL Division 1 second semi-final at Rosebud.

It was YCW’s only goal of the final quarter after a barnstorming Bonbeach kicked three successive goals to hit the front.

YCW triumphed 9.6 (60) to 9.3 (57).

“Both sides probably thought they deserved to win and both sides probably thought they deserved to lose at different times, it was one of those games,” Frankston YCW coach Paul Goonan said.

“There were momentum swings going both ways…and both sides defending with everything they had.

“We were just lucky enough to be in front on the siren.”

YCW coach Paul Goonan.

Christian Tsiampas.

Goonan admitted his side was on the ropes before Paynter seized his the moment.

“They were coming home hard and we looked like we’d blown it late,” he said.

Goonan praised YC forward Christian Tsiampas for a “super smart” play that led to a rampaging Paynter taking possession.

Goonan joked it was lucky Paynter nailed the goal because there were teammates calling for him to pass to them.

“We were laughing about it after the game,” Goonan said.

“He had a couple of options on, he could have hit them, but he decided to have a shot himself and thankfully it went through.”

The Stonecats and Sharks midfields went toe-to-toe all game, with Frankston YCW’s Luca Goonan, Blake Mullane, Kyle Hutchison and Lachie Wallace locking horns with the likes of David Armitage, Mitch Gent and Beau Bailey.

Goonan praised his side’s backline, led by Brenton Credlin and Henry Berenger.

For Bonbeach, Gent, Sean Corrigan, Bailey, Owen Hulett, Jackson Casey and Ben McLean were among its best.

There was drama before the start when Frankston YCW young gun Jimmy Cahill complained of calf soreness and considered pulling out.

Lochlin McGregor was put on standby, but Cahill ended up playing and got through unscathed.

Frankston YCW will shoot for its first premiership since 2017, when it beat Bonbeach in the grand final.

The Stonecats’ reserves are also through to the flag decider.

Goonan said making it to the last day of the season was reward for three years of hard work by his players.

“It’s reward for the effort and commitment these boys have,’’ he said.

Goonan said such is YCW’s depth, they had 10 players miss out on selection in the reserves side on Saturday.

Bonbeach will look to earn another crack at YCW by winning next weekend’s preliminary final.