MPNFL 2021: Mt Eliza and Frankston YCW draw in Division 1 thriller

Players at an MPNFL club are going out of their way to chat with supporters, smile and be polite in a bid to make the match day experience a pleasant one.

Mt Eliza captain Shane Tennant takes a kick. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Big crowds have flocked to Mornington Peninsula football games in the opening few weeks of the season.

At Mt Eliza on Saturday, cars queued along Wooralla Dr to get into Madsen Reserve for the start of the Redlegs’ Division 1 clash with Frankston YCW.

Inside the ground the atmosphere was buzzing.

“That’s exactly what we’re trying to produce,” Mt Eliza coach Stephen Brattle said.

“Peninsula footy right now is in a very good place.”

Brattle wants the local community to continue to turn up and watch his exciting Mt Eliza side, made up of local kids.

And, so, he’s instructed the stars of the show (the players) to converse with spectators.

“I keep telling the players, ‘make sure you say hello to people and take in little accolades people give you’,” Brattle said.

“‘And if they’re wishing you well, say thank you and talk to them because they want to come down and watch and if they’re treated right they’ll come back every week’.”

Mt Eliza coach Stephen Brattle.

With former St Kilda ruckman Lewis Pierce turning in a strong display, Mt Eliza drew with Frankston YCW, 86 points apiece.

Fans were treated to a cracking contest between two sides that are sure to figure prominently this season.

Mt Eliza led by 22 points at half-time but the Stonecats, with Bentleigh recruit Matt Troutbeck kicking five goals, fought back strongly.

“Internally we were a bit disappointed because we thought we did enough,” Brattle said.

“Bur we showed ourselves probably a little bit of what we can do, and then YC just came out (after half-time) big and strong, played a different style, a bit stronger, a bit closer around the footy and a couple of their leaders stepped up a bit.”

Mt Eliza has started the season with a big win over Frankston Bombers and a draw.

“We’ll take six (points),” Brattle said.

“You know, six months out when we saw the draw we had four of the best (sides) in the first four (rounds).

“I know I would have taken any points.”

Mt Eliza’s Max Mourney.

The Rouse twins, Jordan and Zac, were also terrific for Mt Eliza, along with Jeremy Burton (two goals), Sam Mourney, James Hammond and Lachie Williams (two).

For YCW, Troutbeck, Blake Mullane, Josh Butland, Lachie Wallace and speedster Roan Steele were among the best.

Frankston YCW coach Paul Goonan said he was proud of his side for responding after Mt Eliza surged clear in the second term.

“Mt Eliza had a really good spurt there for about 10 or so minutes in that second quarter when they piled on four goals, and all of a sudden we’re four goals down at half-time,’’ Goonan said.

“It took me longer than it should have to probably adapt. I wear that as a coach.

“We did tweak and stopped the flow a bit.

“And then we identified at half-time what needed fixing and I was really proud that our boys actually came out and changed the way we were going to play. It turned things around.’’

Goonan praised young ruckman Bailey Schmidt, who performed manfully against Mt Eliza’s star ruck duo of Pierce and Jeremy Goddard.

“He went one-on-one on his own against an AFL and a quality WAFL ruckman, two absolute A-graders, and he handled it beautifully,’’ Goonan said of Schmidt.

“He’s stamping himself within the league as a top player, and he just wants to get better, he’s got a real taste for it now. I’m really pleased.’’

YCW youngster Bailey Angwin, who slotted two goals, was another who impressed Goonan.

“He really stepped up and we gave him a different role, and he just didn’t flinch,’’ he said.

Goonan said Steele had a big future.

“He is clean as a whistle, everything’s one touch,’’ he said.

“And that’s the difference between being an okay player and a really, really good player – it’s how clean you are. He showed a lot of the older blokes what’s required.

“He’s going to be a super player in this comp.’’