MPNFL: Red Hill, chasing its first flag since 1990, wins through to grand final

RED Hill is out to break a 28-year premiership drought after winning through to the MPNFL Division 2 grand final.

RED Hill is on the verge of snapping a 28-year premiership drought after winning through to the MPNFL Division 2 grand final.

The Hillmen beat minor premiers Dromana by 14 points in the second semi-final at Hastings on Saturday to progress to their first flag decider since 1990.

The ’90 premiership remains Red Hill’s only senior flag — but first-year coach Jamie Mollo and his young and hungry Hillmen side are primed to make their own history.

JUNIOR LEAGUE DIGS IN

JEWELL LOCKED IN AT ROSEBUD

In a tough, combative contest, Red Hill overcame a goalless opening quarter to hand Dromana only its second loss of the season, 7.17 (59) to 6.9 (45).

Red Hill set up victory with a 4.6 to 0.2 second quarter, turning a 15-point quarter-time deficit into a 13-point halftime lead.

“I’d say work rate wise it was our most consistent four-quarter performance, which we knew we had to do to play them,’’ Mollo said.

“They are a really good side and to beat them you’ve got to play four quarters.

“I think we could have probably put them to the sword in the second (quarter) but we were a bit inaccurate in front of goal. In the end it was a gutsy win.’’

Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Red Hill’s gun defender Jonah Siversen was best-on-ground, his eyes-only-for-the-ball intercept marking across half back and ability to repel Dromana’s attacks a feature.

Dylan Hoare and Jake Mold were instrumental in the midfield, while Tom McEncroe, Jake Mitchell and Luke Marchesani also played starring roles.

Chris Irving’s experience was also pivotal in the heat of a final.

For Dromana, Sam Geurts, Terry Wheeler, Billy Quigley and Beau Cosson tried hard.

Mollo said a plan to negate Dromana’s outside run was carried out perfectly by his side’s midfield.

“We knew they wanted to get to the outside,’’ he said. “We went in with a plan and those midfielders executed it really well. Full credit to them.’’

When the siren sounded the realisation that Red Hill was into its first grand final in almost three decades hit home but Mollo moved quickly to keep a lid on things.

“It was unbelievable. We had a quick chat before we went into the rooms because we knew everyone would be pretty excited and we just said, ‘we’re in but there’s another job to do, so let’s just go back to the normal stuff we do, enjoy it for now and then we’ll get back straight into it on Tuesday night’,’’ he said.

Grand final day on September 8 will a huge day for Red Hill, with its under-19s also booking a spot in the big dance.

“To have the 19s and the seniors in there together in a fortnight is a huge thing for the footy club and it’s really good reward because there are some great people around that footy club,’’ Mollo said.

Dromana will contest this Saturday’s preliminary final.