MPNFL: Frankston YCW hands Mt Eliza 52-point defeat, Pines beats Sorrento

Frankston YCW was labelled “the benchmark” after a telling display against Mt Eliza in MPNFL Division 1.

Tom Baker kicks a goal for Frankston YCW. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Not so fast, young fellas.

Frankston YCW, with champions Byron Barry, Kyle Hutchison and Lachie Wallace still getting it done, showed it is still the team to beat in MPNFL Division 1 after handing new kids on the block Mt Eliza a 52-point defeat on Saturday.

The Redlegs had won five in a row to emerge as a genuine contender, but they received a reality check from a fit and focussed YCW outfit in the long awaited top-of-the-ladder clash.

“They beat us up, really,” Mt Eliza coach Steve Brattle said after YCW led throughout to win 19.8 (122) to 10.10 (70).

“They were really strong.”

Frankston YCW champion Byron Barry in his 200th game. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Barry, 36, was named Frankston YCW’s best player in his 200th game after making a grand entrance, accompanied by about 40 kids he coaches in the Under 8s and 9s and Auskick.

“It was a massive event,” YCW coach Paul Goonan said.

“They all ran out with him…it was the Byron crew.”

Goonan said Barry was crucial across half back as YCW built a 46-point lead by half-time.

“He was exceptional,” he said.

“Especially his first half, he was just impenetrable, they just couldn’t get past him.

“And the most impressive bit, and it happened repeatedly, as a 36-year-old he was just running past 21 years olds and beating them to the ball, he just works harder and faster and with more intent. He’s a superb footballer.”

Frankston YCW and Mt Eliza do battle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Brenton Lambert was also outstanding for YC, kicking three goals, while Matt Troutbeck slotted four.

Luke Paynter, Jimmy Cahill and Kaiya Deas were also named in the Stonecats’ best.

Cahill’s blistering pace was a feature.

“His running ability just exposes blokes and he’s skilful,” Goonan said.

Goonan said the Stonecats went into the game determined to put in a strong showing against an in-form Mt Eliza, which has been arguably the most impressive side in the competition in the first two months of the season.

“We played strong, aggressive, tough footy on them,” Goonan said.

“I think the message from Mt Eliza was going to be that they’re a year older and maybe we’re getting older and slower and they’re getting bigger and stronger and I think we’re not quite ready to hang up the boots yet, our blokes.

“And I had to remind a few Mt Eliza boys afterwards we had two Under 19 boys playing and half a dozen boys who are 21 or under so we’re still a very young side, we’re just blessed to have a Byron Barry, a Kyle Hutchison and a Lachie Wallace in there as well.’’

Frankston YCW celebrate a goal. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mt Eliza’s best included Shane Tennant, Tom Kelly, Nathan Scagliarini, Harrison Scott and Richmond VFL player Will Bravo.

The Redlegs lost Bailey Breen with concussion during the game.

Brattle said YCW didn’t allow the Redlegs to play their usual free-flowing style.

“They (YCW) are the benchmark,” he said of YCW.

“They prepared super. We’ve been up for five or six weeks, knocking the knockers down and knocking over teams one after the other.

“They (YCW) were really strong in the contest, disciplined, structured - all the things you expect a good side to be.

“They didn’t let us play our game either.”

Frankston YCW (7-1) sits a game clear of Mt Eliza (6-2) on top of the ladder, with Dromana in third spot.

Mt Eliza’s Will Bravo.

YCW’s Christian Tsiampas.

In other games:

*Pines improved its record to 4-4 with a 54-point win over an injury-hit Sorrento, 16.10 (106) to 7.10 (52). The Pythons had 13 different goal kickers as Johnathan Haidon, Russell Gabriel and former Noble Park playmaker Mitch Backman excelled. Backman went into the middle and kicked two last quarter goals. “He helped get the momentum going our way,” Pines coach Paddy Swayn said. Sorrento trailed by 33 points at the last change but kicked three quick goals to start the final quarter to make a late bid for victory, but Pines had the answers.

“Our ability to wrestle momentum back was really encouraging,” Swayn said.

“So we got challenged and then we went to another gear. That was really pleasing actually.”

Swayn praised his side’s youngsters, including Max Urwin, Xavier Donazzan and Jarrod Gatt.

*Bonbeach bounced back to beat Red Hill by 31 points, 14.15 (89) to 9.4 (58). Sean Corrigan was named the Sharks’ best afield while Ben McLean, Sam Gilbert and Shane McDonald were influential. Jo Fisscher kicked five goals and Trent Dennis-Lane three.

*Frankston Bombers made it three wins in a row with a hard-fought 25-point win over Edi-Asp, 16.19 (115) to 14.6 (90). Ryan Marks-Logan, Jarryd Amalfi and Jason Kingsbury starred for the Bombers, who also had plenty of fire power from Jarrad Grant (five goals), Jai Block (four) and Khan Haretuku (four).

*Dromana pulled away from Rosebud after half-time to win by 37 points, 11.17 (83) to 6.10 (46). Jai Taylor, Billy Geurts, Zac Muschialli, Tate Dennis, Jack Slattery and Dean Waugh were named as the Tigers best.