MPNFL: Mt Eliza beats Sorrento to make it four straight wins in Division 1
An ex-AFL Blue lit it up as Mt Eliza claimed a big scalp in MPNFL Division 1, while Pines scored its best win in three years.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The roar from the Mt Eliza huddle at three-quarter time sent a clear message to the nearby Sorrento side.
The Redlegs were not losing this one.
Madsen Reserve was pumping on Saturday afternoon — a past players day was in full swing — as Mt Eliza, leading by 24 points at the last change, was eyeing off a fourth straight win in MPNFL Division 1.
For most of the game the Redlegs had suffocated the Sorras, restricting the normally high scoring Sharks to only four goals in three quarters.
It was more of the same in the last quarter as Mt Eliza kicked five goals to two to seal a 45-point victory, 13.10 (88) to 6.7 (43).
Former Carlton AFL listed Fraser Phillips kicked five goals and was named best afield.
The 20-year-old left footer is on Williamstown’s VFL list this season and has played three games with Mt Eliza, his home club.
“He’s been around a bit, he’s been in elite pathways for a long time,” Mt Eliza coach Steve Brattle said.
“He can definitely play footy.
“You know what? He’s just loving footy. Once they start liking it it’s easier for them to play well.”
Mt Eliza’s best players also included ex-VFL player Nathan Scagliarini, who kicked two goals, Bailey Breen, Declan Cole, Finlay Bayne and Elliot Simmons.
Brattle said the win over Sorrento contained some of his side’s best footy this season.
“We’re just starting to connect a bit better, it takes a few weeks,” he said.
Sorrento kicked the first two goals of the game but Mt Eliza soon settled and opened up a 13-point lead at half-time.
“We fumbled the ball a little bit early and got overawed with some big name players and superstars running around…and then we just settled,” Brattle said.
Sorrento lost its star ruckman Jonathan Croad to an eye injury in the first half.
Brattle praised Redlegs captain Shane Tennant, who returned from illness and had an impact despite not training at all during the week.
Mt Eliza lost its opening game of the season to Frankston Bombers but has since beaten Bonbeach, Red Hill, Rosebud and Sorrento.
Former AFL Hawk and Saint Shane Savage made a dynamic return from injury to help Pines to a stirring 18-point win over Bonbeach.
Savage, who did his hamstring in the first game of the season, combined with ruckman Russell Gabriel to inspire the Pythons to a 19-point lead at quarter time.
“Having Sav and Russell back made a massive difference,” Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.
“Russell was good, he got the ball going our way. We played the first seven or eight minutes in our front 50. We kicked four goals in that first seven minutes and that was pretty much the margin at the end.”
Pines won 10.5 (65) to 6.11 (47). Luke Dalmau, Beau Hendry, Max Urwin and Jayden Adams were also named in Pines’ best players. Sandringham VFL player Tyson Milne played his first game of the season for Bonbeach.
Dromana remained the only undefeated side in Division 1 after finishing hard to beat Frankston Bombers by 25 points, 13.16 (94) to 10.9 (69).
Sam Geurts, Daniel Gormley, Tom Crimmins, Billy Geurts, Ben Tovey and Nicholas Collier were named in the Tigers’ best. Former AFL player Jarrad Grant kicked five goals for the Bombers.
Ladder leaders Frankston YCW was too good for Rosebud in the wet at Jubilee Park, winning by 62 points, 12.14 (86) to 3.6 (24).
Brenton Lambert, Lachlan Wallace, Dylan Roberton, Bailey Angwin, Byron Barry, Mackenna Hura got the Stonecats going. Under 19 captain Matthew Jackson was mobbed by teammates after kicking his first goal in the second quarter.
Red Hill turned a 25-point quarter time deficit into a six-point win over Edi-Asp. The Hillmen outscored the Eagles 3.2 to 0.1 in the second quarter to set up victory as Jonah Siversen, Marcus Dal Lago and Josh Mold led the way. Matt Ravenall kicked three goals for the winners, while Mathew Lonsdale and Connor Eardley were also named in the best. Edi-Asp skipper Steve Mannix was named his side’s best player and was awarded life membership on the day.
How Southern league club will benefit from ex-AFL rookie
An exciting livewire, who was once on an AFL list, will suit up for a Southern league club in 2025. Here’s where the club plans to use him.
Delisted Don tops local footy’s most wanted list
A recently delisted Essendon key position player is expected to field plenty of offers from local footy clubs while a premiership Magpie is attracting interest after a move to Melbourne. Here are all the latest whispers from around the leagues.