MPFNL: Red Hill spun a six-goal deficit to overrun reigning premier Frankston YCW

A mid-season recruit starred and a VFL-listed player kicked the winner as Red Hill flipped over a six-goal three-quarter time deficit. Hillmen coach Jamie Mollo talks us through the turn around.

MPNFL: Edithvale-Aspendale v Red Hill. Red Hill coach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo says a ‘nothing to lose’ approach was a catalyst in his side’s rattling comeback.

Trailing by an even six goals at the final change, after Frankston YCW “stamped a bit of authority on the game” in the third term, the Hillmen were ordered to take it forward at all costs.

The run and gun method worked in spades, as the hosts kicked six unanswered goals in the final stanza to record a stunning 9.7 (61) to 8.12 (60) victory.

“We wanted to go back to what was keeping us in the game for the first half, which was matching them around the contest and clearance, then really challenging them with our speed,” Mollo said.

“We won the ball in the contest, took it outside, got it forward, got one on ones and challenged their backs – it was amazing.

“We have had quite a few games where we haven’t been able to get the win but we’ve been able to close down a score pretty quickly.

“We just said ‘there’s nothing to lose here’ and went back to what was working in the first half.

“To the boys’ credit, they were good around the contest, got speed in the game, everything just went forward which in my opinion was really challenging for the YC backs.”

Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Included in the six goal stretch was two from mid-season recruit Kalen Bird and the winning goal from Richmond VFL-listed player Misi Faimalo.

Bird, originally a best and fairest winner at Mornington, crossed from St Kilda City before the June 30 clearance deadline.

Mollo says the left-footer has been “amazing” and “instrumental” since joining the Hillmen.

“He’s worked so hard on the track and that game on the weekend sort of consolidated his form a little bit,” he said.

“He took a pretty heavy hit late in the game, which gave him a 50m penalty and a shot on goal, and he bounced straight up, took the shot and closed the gap within six points.

“He was instrumental because he is so good around the contest but he is also really good inside forward 50, he was amazing.”

Red Hill recruit Kalen Bird starred. Picture: David Crosling

Charlie Robinson-Cay was among the Hillmen’s best. Picture: Valeriu Campan

While the Hillmen’s chances of finals football are slim, Mollo believes his side remains with intent.

“Every season you play for a purpose, that purpose is to play finals and hopefully go deep,” he said.

“Whilst we have a mathematical chance, and whilst it is going to be very difficult, we still want to have that purpose and belief that we want to achieve something.

“At the moment we have 19s and twos that will play finals and we just tell the boys ‘why not?’

“We’re going to have to take care of Pines, who are tough, and Frankston Bombers, who are also vying for top three and top five collectively.

“And even Langy in the last game, that could come down to whether stay or don’t in Divvy One, so they’ll come out firing.

“All three are tough but achievable.”

Daniel Frampton, Misi Faimalo, Kalen Bird, Charlie Robinson-Cay, Jonah Siversen and Jake Di Pasquale were the Hillmen’s best, while Brenton Credlin, Kevin Lylak, Bassirou Faye, Kyle Hutchison, Matthew La Fontaine and Jake Milward were YCW’s strongest.

Dromana, meanwhile, has cemented pole position on the ladder with its 15th consecutive win.

Frankston Bombers were in touch of the Tigers for the first 45 minutes before the Tigers accelerated away to a 12.14 (86) to 8.12 (58) triumph.

Billy Geurts kicked four while Billy Quigley was best afield for the home side.

Alex Harnett, Connor Does, Harrison Prior, Khan Haretuku, Cameron Price and Jason Bedford were the Bombers’ best.

Sorrento kept within touch of the top five with a plucky win over Langwarrin, 14.6 (90) to 8.6 (54).

Sharks and Kangaroos forwards made the most of the sunny conditions at Lloyd Park with eight goals (four apiece) straight before the first minor score.

James Hallahan, Aaron Paxton, Shannon Gladman, Alexander Bird, Charlie Stokes and Michael Walker were Sorrento’s best while Matthew Naughton, Jaiden Jakubenko, Chad Mulvogue, Luke Churcher, Ryan Smyth and Billy Rolfe were Langwarrin’s.

Former Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan was best afield for Pines in its 10.7 (67) to 8.12 (60) win over Rosebud.

The Buds staged a fightback in the final term, trimming three-quarter time deficit of 15 points before the Pythons held firm.

With Swan, Aaron Edwards, Beau Hendry, Jarrod Richards, Dylan Williams and Jayden Adams also had good days.

For Rosebud, Matthew Cumming kicked three and was also named among the best.

Despite winning by an even 50 points over Bonbeach, Mt Eliza spread the workload with 12 individual goal kickers.

Straight kicking from the Sharks kept them in the contest but it was ultimately not enough to keep the Redlegs at bay, losing 12.11 (83) to 5.3 (33).

The Peckett’s – Sunny and Jet – were the Sharks’ best while Nathan Scagliarini and Tom Small shun for the visitors.