MPNFL 2019: Dromana stuns Sorrento in MPNFL Division 1 decider

The Tigers won the Division 2 premiership last year. Now they’re the Division 1 champions after seeing off Sorrento at Frankston Park.

Jubilant Dromana players bunch for a premiership pic. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Dromana coach Rikki Johnston predicted his side would “surprise a few” stepping up to the top division this season.

Well, the Tigers did that, and more.

Much more.

In the rain at Frankston Park on Sunday, Dromana celebrated its greatest moment, securing its first MPNFL Division 1 premiership with a gripping seven-point win over Sorrento in the grand final.

The Tigers kicked three goals into the wind in the third quarter, while keeping Sorrento goalless, to set up victory, 8.4 (52) to 6.9 (45).

For Johnston, it was the perfect way to finish. He’s retiring as a player and coach.

“Everyone thought that we couldn’t do it,” Johnston said. “We were continually told that we wouldn’t be good enough.

“We played with a chip on our shoulders all year and the result today showed that we are a Division 1 football club.”

Young ruckman Billy Geurts was best-afield.

It was a first for Dromana, but also a second.

The Tigers completed back-to-back flags, having scored a similarly fighting win in last season’s Division 2 decider.

The Tigers are kings of Peninsula footy.

Young ruckman Billy Geurts won the medal for best-on-ground after a relentless performance against Sorrento’s former Hawthorn big man Luke Lowden.

Guerts’ energy was infectious.

When Dromana ran out after half time, with a one-point lead, it was Geurts, with a smile on his face, who lightened the mood and pumped up his teammates.

Dromana star Ethan Johnstone kicked the opening goal of the game after 20 minutes of pressure footy.

But Sorrento spearhead Leigh Poholke was quick to reply, snapping a clever goal.

Dromana led by a point at quarter time and also at half time after Ben Holmes slotted two goals from strong marks.

Heavy rain set in during the break.

Dejected Sorrento players after the match. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Sorrento kicked with a strong wind in the third term but didn’t capitalise.

Against the flow, Holmes snapped a beauty and then Johnston converted from 10 metres after a free kick and then a 50 metre penalty.

Dromana livewire Sam Fowler brilliantly intercepted a kick and banged through another as the Tigers, 16 points ahead, began to roar.

Johnstone put on the afterburners to run down Matthew Dobrowolski and thwart a Sorrento attack.

Dromana’s 15-point lead at the last change grew to 21 when Fowler slotted a goal in the first 30 seconds of the last quarter.

Dromana players with the cup and flag.

Sorrento needed to dig deep and it did, with goals by Shannon Gladman and Mitch Hallahan reducing Dromana’s lead to six points.

Better still for the Sharks, the wind had dropped.

But with a few minutes to go, Dromana surged forward and Fowler’s behind at full pace put the Tigers ahead by seven points and Sorrento had a huge mountain to climb in the conditions.

Dromana’s Jay Hutchinson did a good job on Mitch Hallahan, while skipper Terry Wheeler, Jake Hiep, Josh Bateman, Reece Wilde and Billy Quigley also were influential for the Tigers.

For Sorrento, it was heartache again following its one-point loss to Pines last year. Skipper James Hallahan, who worked so hard to get back from a ruptured ACL, looked to injure his knee in the second quarter but played on.

In the reserves, Mt Eliza claimed its sixth consecutive premiership when it beat Frankston YCW.

And Frankston YCW won the Under 19s flag.