MPNFL 2021: Dromana surges late to beat Bonbeach in Division 1

A former EFNL star celebrated his first win as coach of Dromana after the Tigers bloused Bonbeach in the MPNFL.

Dromana coach Matt Price urges on his players on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Matt Price couldn’t relax until the final siren on Saturday.

When it sounded, he at last had his first win as Dromana coach — and it was a beauty, too, a gripping four-point win over Bonbeach at Shark Park.

Price, who as a player won a record six Eastern league best and fairest awards, took over as Dromana coach a month after the club won the 2019 MPNFL Division 1 premiership and has had to bide his time before savouring his first win.

After the cancelled 2020 season, Dromana started this year with two narrow losses.

Price might have wondered if the Tigers were headed for more heartache when Bonbeach hit the front late in the game.

Bonbeach captain Jackson Casey is tackled by Dean Waugh. Picture: Valeriu Campan

But Dromana surged again, and roared with delight when livewire Ethan Johnstone ran into an open goal to boot his fifth and the match winner.

“As soon as he got it in his hands we knew we had the goal, he just needed to hurry up because we weren’t sure how much time was left,” Price said.

“We were like, ‘just get it through the goals’.”

Johnstone was deadly up forward, his contribution vital in the 10.7 (67) to 9.9 (63) victory.

Billy Geurts in the ruck was one of Dromana’s best players, along with defender Daniel Marchesani.

Billy Geurts was outstanding for Dromana in the ruck.

Price also tipped praise on ball magnets Terry Wheeler and Sam Geurts in the middle.

Dromana gave a senior debut to classy youngster Jake Soligo, who snapped a brilliant left-foot goal in the third quarter before copping a heavy hit in the chest.

Former St Kilda star David Armitage tried to inspire Bonbeach with 33 touches.

Price noted Armitage’s composure around the ball and his voice.

“He gets the blokes to go into the right spots,” Price said of Armitage.

“Late in the game he was trying to set them up to get the win but we were lucky enough to end up with the points.”

Bonbeach coach Adrian Connolly gave full credit to Dromana but was disappointed his Sharks “relaxed a little bit” after hitting the front late.

Sam Gilbert kicks for Bonbeach.

Dromana’s Jai Taylor.

“We just thought that was probably enough and their (Dromana’s) effort was sensational for four quarters,” Connolly said.

“We did a lot right, we just didn’t hurt them enough on the scoreboard when it counted.

“Dromana are really good, they’re a good young team, and the thing we loved about them is that there are no champions but they just all play their part and they play it really well.”

Ex-Saint Sam Gilbert played his second game for Bonbeach, gathering 27 possessions.

Sharks champion Shane McDonald nearly was the match winner after being moved on to the ball. He slotted two goals.

Big Tom Hogan was also outstanding for Bonbeach and former VFL star Mitch Gent also excelled.

Dromana is 1-2 and Price hopes the win can kickstart its season.

“We’ve actually been playing pretty well in the first three weeks,” he said.

“We just haven’t been able to fall over the line.

“On the weekend it was another of those fifty-fifty games, and we were happy to be on the right side of the ledger this time.

“It was nervous moments that’s for sure.

“Hopefully it sets us up for the rest of the season now.”