MPNFL 2021: Calder kicks nine as Mornington beats Karingal

A Mornington spearhead fired off nine goals to start the MPNFL season with a bang, and prompt talk he could even kick a ton this season.

Jackson Calder kicks a goal for Mornington on Friday. Picture: Alan Dillon

Looking tanned and fit after a season in Darwin, Jackson Calder hit the ground running for Mornington on Good Friday.

He slotted nine goals as the Bulldogs thrashed Karingal by 64 points, 21.13 (139) to 10.15 (75), to start the MPNFL Division 2 season in the best possible fashion.

“The scary thing is he’s going to get better,’’ Mornington coach Simon Goosey said of Calder.

Asked if Calder could even kick a century of goals this year, Goosey said: “He’s a chance, he’s a chance.

“He ended up kicking nine. He played well but he can play a lot better. He got his hands to it but he’s probably got to adapt to the conditions a bit, too, if that makes sense.’’

It’s been six years since a player has kicked a ton in the MPNFL.

Jackson Calder takes a mark. Picture: Alan Dillon

Calder had a brilliant finals series with St Mary’s in the Darwin league, capped off by a bag of six in the grand final.

Goosey said his side was determined to make an early statement in front of a bumper crowd.

Bulldogs captain Chris Baker was outstanding, along with the experienced Warwick Miller and Kalen Bird in the midfield.

Recruits Bryce Dinger and Matt North did well.

“It was hot, blokes were going down from both sides. I thought our fitness shone through,’’ Goosey said.

“Yeah, the boys were definitely keen to make a statement.’’

Mornington captain Chris Baker tackles Karingal's Seth Kelly. Picture: Alan Dillon

On Saturday, Chelsea forward Curtis Bywater booted six goals as the Seagulls led throughout to beat Crib Point by 22 points, 16.14 (110) to 12.16 (88).

In his first game for Chelsea, Dave Barton turned in a best-on-ground performance to live up to his reputation as a running machine.

Shaun Foster was tagged heavily but still had 30 touches.

“We just grinded away and the main thing was to get the win,’’ Chelsea coach James Brain said.

“No one talks about it in 10 rounds, how we did it.

“It was a good effort by the boys.’’

Former Frankston YCW premiership player Scott MacLeod’s return to Chelsea was a painful one when he snapped his plantar fascia.

“He’ll be a bit ginger for a week but it’s a good result because he’s been getting needles in it and now it’s snapped so it will be a week or so and he’ll be back to normal,’’ Brain said.

In other Division 2 games, Mark Baguley celebrated his return to Langwarrin with a strong two-goal display in his side’s 17.17 (119) to 8.8 (56) win over Seaford.

Langy’s best player was exciting teenager Tom Sullivan, who capped a brilliant debut performance with a goal.

Charlie Meggs, Chad Mulvogue, Sean Herdman (four goals) and Mitch Mathie (three) also starred.

Young forward Tom Hughes slotted five goals in Rye’s impressive 89-point win over Tyabb.

Nick Strickland, Campbell Robbins, Jarrod Richards and Peter Hampton also ran rampant for the Demons, and ex-Mornington ruckman Michael Macgowan was excellent in the 20.9 (129) to 6.4 (40) win.

Somerville kicked six goals in the last quarter to clear out for a 51-point win over Hastings, 13.18 (96) to 7.3 (45).