MPNFL 2021: Rosebud beats Sorrento, recruits impress

A former EFL premiership captain was among Rosebud’s best players in an eye-popping 55-point win over Sorrento to start the Mornington Peninsula season.

Rosebud's Jai Hardwick goes after the ball against Sorrento. Picture: David Caspar

Rosebud’s tackle pressure was through the roof and its stoppage work A grade.

They were just a couple of features of the Buds’ resounding 11.10 (76) to 2.9 (21) win over Sorrento at MacFarlan Reserve in the MPNFL Division 1 season opener on Saturday.

Former Doncaster East premiership captain Nick Batsanis made an impressive start in the Rosebud navy blue, kicking a goal and being named in the best players.

Jai Nanscawen, the ex-Stingray and Box Hill Hawk, slotted four goals as the Buds ran rampant in the heat.

Sorrento was without its coach Luke Tapscott and star forward Leigh Poholke, both nursing soft tissue injuries, and the Sharks fell down all over the ground, their only goals coming in the first and last quarters.

Sorrento recruit Jakob Steinhart gets his kick away ahead of Rosebud’s Sean Downie. Picture: David Caspar

Rosebud coach Nick Jewell was rapt with the first up showing but wasn’t getting carried away.

“Look, it’s a good start but we’re such a young side, I think our average age would be about 21,” he said.

“As we saw in 2019, we beat just about every side above us and lost I think to every side below us, so our challenge is to find that consistency across the season. And don’t have those lapses.”

Seb Krumeich, Jackson McRae and the Cumming twins, Matt and Stephen, in the ruck, also starred for Rosebud.

Tom Stoffels and Greg Bentley kicked two goals apiece, although Bentley suffered a head knock in the second quarter and spent the rest of the game on the bench.

Another shining light for the Buds was the impressive debut of Blake Kuipers, an Australian under-19 beach volleyball representative, at half back.

Rosebud defender Mitch Dempster played on Mitch Hallahan and Myles Poholke when they went forward, and did well.

Jai Hardwick and Fletcher Hustwaite provided grunt for Rosebud in the middle.

Jewell said his side was well prepared for the opening game.

“The boys were confident in their preparation, the pre-season has been outstanding,” he said.

“We know we’re pretty fit — very fit — and had three hard practice matches.

“The camp we did over three days, the boys got flogged but they kept chewing it up. They’ve got run in their legs already and match fitness.

“I think they were pretty happy with the hot conditions.”

Sorrento lost former AFL player Will Johnson with a calf injury in the opening quarter and key defender James Brigden hurt his hamstring and had to play as a decoy forward.

Red Hill made a thrilling start in the top grade, edging reigning premiers Dromana by a point in a Good Friday classic.

A rushed behind off the boot of Torren Powell on the siren gave the Hillmen their first win in Division 1, 8.15 (63) to 8.14 (62), in front of a huge crowd at Pier St.

Dromana came from 20 points behind in the last term to just fall short.

Red Hill’s best were Jonah Siversen, Dean Warry and former Richmond AFL player Steve Morris, while Jono Ross and Chris Irving kicked two goals apiece.

For Dromana, Sam Fowler booted three goals and Dean Waugh, Jon Ristrom, Jai Taylor and Daniel Marchesani were in the best.

Former Swan and Saint Trent Dennis-Lane fired off seven goals to help Bonbeach thrash Edi-Asp, 24.13 (157) to 7.4 (46).

Mitch Gent, Ben McLean and Blaine Coates also starred as the Sharks kicked 15 goals to one after half-time.

Young Jack Sullivan kicked four goals in an impressive display.

Round 1 continues this week with Frankston YCW and Pines playing under lights at SkyBus Stadium on Friday night, and Frankston Bombers up against Mt Eliza on Saturday.