MPNFL 2021: Mt Eliza edges Frankston Bombers in thriller

A first-gamer kicked the match-winning goal — and then did his knee — as the Redlegs edged Frankston Bombers by a point in MPNFL Division 1.

Frankston Bomber Khan Haretuku tries to shrug off Mt Eliza’s James Hammond. Picture: Valeriu Campan

There was agony and ecstasy — all in the space of 10 minutes — for Mt Eliza debutant Cam Price on Saturday.

With the Redlegs’ game against Frankston Bombers balancing on a knife’s edge deep into the final quarter, the powerfully built teenager kicked a crucial goal to put his side in front.

Minutes later he was laying on the ground clutching his right knee.

Helped off the ground, Price watched from the sidelines as Mt Eliza held on to win by the narrowest of margins, 12.14 (86) to 11.19 (85), at Madsen Reserve.

There was drama right to the end.

Frankston Bombers’ former AFL forward Jarrad Grant had the chance to snatch victory in the dying seconds, but his set shot missed to the right.

Grant, though, can’t be blamed; he played a blinder, slotting four goals to drag his side back into the contest after Mt Eliza led by 20 points at halftime.

Jarrad Grant kicked four goals for the Frankston Bombers. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The extent of Price’s injury was not known, but he was able to walk on to the ground after the siren and shake hands.

“It’s hard to get the smile off his face so you can’t tell,” Mt Eliza coach Steve Brattle said.

Brattle said Price, who finished with two goals, had come up through the club’s juniors and earned his spot in the senior side.

He is captain of the club’s Under 19 side.

Cam Price. Pic: Facebook

“He’s just so humble, he works hard, he works harder than anyone else in our footy club on his game,” Brattle said.

“He’s had a really solid 18 months, he’s got fit, he’s got strong, works hard, and he deserved his spot.

“I said to him before the game, ‘don’t let anybody think it’s a free kick that you are getting a game here’. I said, ‘I have a funny feeling you’ll be hard to shift’.”

Dashing Mt Eliza midfielder Braden Nelmes was named best-afield after a strong display, running the game right out.

VFL ruckman Jeremy Goddard impressed in his second game for the Redlegs, and big Max Mourney kicked two goals, including the first goal of the final term after a strong mark in the goal square.

Mt Eliza’s backline was outstanding, especially Mark Colvin, as it withstood the Bombers’ surge.

With six wins and a draw, the Redlegs, second, are virtually four games inside the top five.

Frankston Bombers coach Beau Muston said his side was “pretty deflated” after the game.

“We had our chances to win the game but we didn’t,” he said.

“We had a poor first half, Mt Eliza outplayed us. We came back and I was proud of the efforts to give ourselves a chance to win.”

Muston said Grant was disappointed but, “we would not have been in that game” without him.

“I challenged a few of our leaders at halftime and he (Grant) dragged us back and gave us half a chance to win,” Muston said.

“He will be disappointed he missed the last kick of the day but everything else he did gave us some hope to win the game.”

Muston added: “It was a really critical game for us, so we’re going to have to work really hard at the back end of the season now to try and secure a position in that top three because it’s going to be tight”.

Undefeated Frankston YCW coasted to a 69-point victory over Pines, 16.13 (109) to 6.4 (40) at John Coburn Oval.

Luca Goonan, Luke Paynter, BJ Credlin, Blake Mullane and Bailey Schmidt led the charge for the Stonecats.

Former Carlton VFL player Dale Marshall was best afield in Rosebud’s 13-point win over Sorrento, 9.6 (60) to 6.11 (47).

Dromana fired off six unanswered goals in the opening quarter to set up a four-point win over Red Hill, 8.10 (58) to 7.12 (54).

Jon Ristrom was named best for the Tigers, while the Geurts brothers, Billy and Sam, were outstanding.

Bonbeach had 41 scoring shots as it dispatched Edi-Asp by 68 points, 15.26 (116) to 7.6 (48).

Lachlan Stenning turned in a strong performance for the Sharks, who also benefited from Jo Fisscher’s five goals.