MPNFL 2021: Frankston Bombers swamp Sorrento to climb to third spot

Frankston Bombers have powered into the MPNFL Division 1 top three — and coach Beau Muston says their best is yet to come.

Dylan Sutton is chaired off after his 100th game for the Frankston Bombers. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It was moving day in MPNFL Division 1 on Saturday.

Bonbeach roared to top spot, Frankston Bombers jumped into the top three and Edi-Asp got off the bottom.

There is much to play for in the remaining two rounds.

The Frankston Bombers had plenty to celebrate on Saturday.

Their come-from-behind 42-point point win over Sorrento lifted them into third spot and boosted their hopes of securing the all-important finals double chance.

The victory was also the perfect way to celebrate club champion Dylan Sutton’s 100th game.

The hard running midfielder has played 90 games straight since returning from a stint with Frankston Dolphins in the VFL.

Khan Haretuku wins the tap out for Frankston Bombers. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bombers coach Beau Muston said Sutton, a club best and fairest winner and two-time league medal runner-up, was a star player and loyal servant of the club.

“He’s a real link in the players that we were able to bring into our club at that time, namely Sam Fox and Corey Buchan,” Muston said.

“And that then enabled us to bring in some other Dolphins players.

“He’s probably turned back some big offers in prior years to stick fat with us and we appreciate his loyalty.”

Sutton was among the best players as the Bombers clicked into gear after trailing Sorrento by a point at halftime.

Harry Prior was best-on-ground for the Frankston Bombers. Picture: Valeriu Campan

They kicked 10 goals to three in the second half.

The Bombers’ contingent of ex-VFL players led the charge, with ruckman Harry Prior turning in a dominant display.

“He sets the example, he tackles hard, he gets hit outs, you know, he does it all,” Muston said.

“Harry was exceptional.

“And I feel like Sam Fox and Alex Harnett were significant again in the midfield to really get us going in the third quarter when we were only just going at halftime, they started to lift to another level and the boys jumped on the back of them.”

Former Frankston and Port Melbourne VFL forward Khan Haretuku kicked four goals in another impressive display, while Sam Drake and Matt Harris were other influential players.

Frankston Bomber Jason Kingsbury is tackled by his Sorrento opponent.

Muston said the Bombers, who have won four on the spin, were building nicely towards the business end of the season.

“We feel like we’ve been on a pretty good run,” he said.

“We still feel like we’re getting better.”

The Bombers face Pines and Dromana in the remaining two rounds.

“Both games are really important for us, we want to finish top three so we need to win both games to consolidate our spot,” Muston said.

“I know for Dromana that game for them will probably be finals or bust I’d assume so that will be a significant challenging game for us because I really highly rate Dromana.”

Dromana produced the comeback of the round, turning a half-time deficit of 28 points into a 30-point victory over Mt Eliza.

A best-on-ground display by ruckman Billy Geurts inspired the Tigers while Sam Childs played his best game and Billy Quigley, Ethan Johnstone and Josh Bateman also impressed.

Dromana (6-6) is in fifth spot.

Edithvale-Aspendale moved off the bottom of the ladder with a rousing 14-point win over Red Hill, 14.9 (93) to 11.13 (79).

Forwards Michael Bussey (six goals) and Charlie Martello (four) ran hot along with best-afield Jaxon Stuart as the Eagles set up victory with an eight-goal third quarter.

Premiership fancy Bonbeach flexed its muscles with an eye-popping 120-point win over Pines, 25.21 (171) to 8.3 (51).

Beau Bailey and Shane McDonald ran rampant with five goals apiece while Lachlan Gill-Renouf, Tom McLean, Luke Verma and ex-Saint Sam Gilbert also starred.

The win propelled Bonbeach to top of the ladder following Frankston YCW’s loss to Rosebud.

Pines fell to the bottom and into the relegation hot seat.