MPNFL 2021: Bywater reported, Poholke stars in pre-season games
A star forward reported, an AFL recruit impresses and a serious injury stops a game...there was plenty of news out of MPNFL practice matches over the weekend.
Mornington
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The first report of the football season has been lodged.
Chelsea forward Curtis Bywater had his number taken by two umpires during his side’s pre-season clash against Bonbeach on Saturday.
He was reported for intentionally or carelessly striking another person and his case will be heard at the tribunal on Wednesday night.
Bywater has kicked 65 and 52 goals in his past two seasons with the Seagulls.
PADS OFF, BOOTS ON
How about Leigh Poholke’s week in local sport.
On March 14, he hit the winning runs in Sorrento’s cricket grand final and was so determined to soak up the special achievement he didn’t take off his batting pads for 48 hours, even showering with them on.
Once celebrations simmered down, he turned his attention to footy and on Saturday he made the ferry trip over to Quenscliff with the Sorrento side for the annual Battle of the Rip.
According to Sorrento’s match report, “the Leigh Poholke show began” soon after halftime.
“Wearing a tight fitting XXL jumper, Leigh finally took his batting pads off after last week’s memorable cricket grand final premiership performance, and was unstoppable up forward.”
Leigh’s brother Myles, the former AFL Crow, also impressed as Sorrento won. “As the game wore on, the class and fitness of Myles Poholke stood out,” the Sharks report said.
BAD BREAK FOR BONNY LAD
A serious injury caused the under-19s practice match between Chelsea and Bonbeach to be called off in the third quarter on Saturday.
Bonbeach’s James Vicendese suffered a broken fibula and tibia and has had surgery to insert rods in his leg.
PYTHONS YOUNG AND FRESH
Pines looks like going from the oldest side in Division 1 in 2019 to the youngest in 2021.
On Saturday, the Pythons had nine under-19s in the seniors against Mornington in a praccy game.
“I was actually really impressed with the way we played,” Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.
“We played quick footy.”
And one of the most impressive youngsters was Ned Moodie, who, at 16, was the youngest player on the ground — and, according to Swayn, “didn’t look out of place” as a key forward.
Ned is the son of former Frankston YCW and Hampton Park gun Shane Moodie.
Another kid who caught the eye for Pines was Jake Adams, a tall, well-built half back flanker.
“I don’t know how Jake Adams hasn’t been looked at by Stingrays,” Swayn said.
Pines has lost a chunk of experience, with Aaron Edwards, Paul Scanlon, Luke Potts, Tim Bongetti and Daniel John no longer at the club.
KYAH AN EAGLE
Nice pick up for Edi-Asp, with Kyah Karavasilis (ex-Karingal) joining the Eagles nest.
At 193cm, the forward and relief ruckman has been training well and “fitted in with the boys instantly”, according to coach Ben Walker.
BUDS CARRY ON TRADITION
Rosebud is definitely the family club.
This proves it.
Twelve sets of brothers played in the Buds’ practice match against Somerville on Saturday.
They were: Jake and Kurtis Corrin, Matt and Tom Baker, Josh and Lachlan Taylor, Henry and Fletcher Hustwaite, Adam and Lachlan Jarred, Steve and Matt Cumming, Reid and Jai Nanscawen, Dallas and Blake Kuipers, Sean and Keegan Downie, Joel and Jacob Hepner, Mitch and Reece Shearer, Daniel and Jamie Clarke.
What’s more, there were 10 father-sons. And nine father-daughters in Rosebud’s netball sides.
HAIDON SIDELINED
Rotten luck for talented Pines and Sandringham player Jono Haidon, who broke his leg in a Pines intraclub game.
Haidon was going into his sixth season at Sandringham but now faces at least 8-10 weeks on the sidelines.
From reports, it was just an innocuous knock of shins.
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