MPNFL rises to second in interleague rankings after beating Northern FL at Rye

THE top of the mountain is in sight for the MPNFL after it defeated the Northern Football League by five goals at Rye.

It was tight in the clinches as a Northern Football League player takes possession against the MPNFL at Rye on Saturday. Picture: Paul Loughnan

THE top of the mountain is in sight for the MPNFL after it defeated the Northern Football League by five goals at Rye on Saturday to climb into second place on the AFL Victoria Community Championships rankings.

It sets up a blockbuster clash in a year’s time, when the MPNFL will play the number one ranked Geelong FL for the title of the best football league in Victoria.

“It’s exciting,’’ jubilant MPNFL coach John Hynes said.

“It’s a good reflection on the comp and where we are at.’’

The MPNFL put a star-studded side on to the ground against Northern FL, and the 18.14 (122) to 14.8 (92) result was comprehensive.

The Sharks set up victory with an eight-goal second quarter and drilled seven majors in the last term to put the seal on a polished performance.

Former Richmond forward Aaron Edwards kicked the sealer midway through the last quarter.

The MPNFL took a 15-point lead into the last term and Hynes expected the Northern boys to have a red-hot dip in the final quarter.

MPNFL forward Tim Bongetti celebrates a goal in the 30-point win over Northern FL on Saturday. Picture: Paul Loughnan

“They had a crack in the first half of the last quarter and we were pretty good, we got to five goals up at one stage and held steady for a while…they got a couple of cheap ones late,’’ he said.

“The scoreboard might not have reflected the result.’’

Hynes said the better team won. “On the day, no doubt about that,’’ he said.

Edwards finished with three goals, while Anthony Bruhn and Dan Gormley kicked two goals apiece.

He said it was a pleasure coaching such a talented team and praised his players for their professional mindset.

“You don’t have time when you’ve only got them for one night a week to set up ball movement and things like that so I focused on effort and pressure – the things you don’t necessarily have to train for. Everyone did it, so it was a good result,’’ he said.

“They could coach themselves, mate, I think.’’

Hynes said every player contributed to the win.

Hard-working Dromana forward Beau Cosson was knocked out late but had played a key role, as were midfielders Gormley and Luke Potts.

Frankston YCW premiership star Byron Barry and Dromana defender Christian Ongarallo thwarted many Northern forward thrusts and Beau Hendry and Dylan Jones combined well in the ruck.

The MPNFL’s Anthony Bruhn soars high against Northern Football League’s Matthew Dennis at Rye on Saturday. Picture: Paul Loughnan

Frankston YCW youngsters Ryan Santon and Brenton Credlin impressed in their first interleague games.

Meanwhile, the MPNFL’s second team - a “young guns’’ outfit - lost to AFL Yarra Ranges by 10 points, despite rattling home, at Healesville. The best included Ryan Marks-Logan, Ethan Rahilly, Adrian Speedy and Jonah Siversen.

MPNFL 1.5, 9.8, 11.10, 18.14 (122) d Northern FL 3.3, 6.4, 9.7, 14.8 (92).

Goals: A Edwards 3, D Gormley 2, A Bruhn 2, T Bongetti, J Van Unen, D Sutton, T McGenniss, B Cosson, J Cameron, P Minchington, S MacLeod, K Hutchison.

Best: T Bongetti, B Credlin, D Gormley, B Cosson, L Potts.

AFL Yarra Ranges 3.3, 7.5, 10.8, 13.8 (86) d Mornington Peninsula Nepean FL (2) 3.3, 7.3, 7.4, 12.4 (76).

Goals: J Hazendonk 2, Z Longham 2, K Downie, B Harkness, R Hodson, S Geurts, Z Mosimane, J Dalton, J Calder, J Halsall.

Best: R Marks-Logan, E Rahilly, A Speedy, J Siversen, R Hogenbirk, B Harkness.