MPNFL 2021: Somerville upsets Langwarrin to boost finals bid

A new signing slotted three goals as the Eagles handed Langwarrin its first defeat of the MPNFL Division 2 season.

Somerville's Ryan Gillis and Langwarrin's Shane Paterson battle for the ball. Picture Paul Stanley Churcher

Somerville coach Brad Canavan struggled to explain how his side knocked off flag favourites Langwarrin on Saturday.

“I’m not usually one who’s totally lost for words, “ Canavan said.

“But I’m still quite fascinated with our performance yesterday.

“It was just a bloody good effort.”

The Eagles led at every change to win 14.11 (95) to 11.11 (77), ending Langy’s nine game winning streak and breathing new life into the Division 2 season.

With six rounds to go, the premiership race is hotting up.

The Eagles, whose last flag was in 1986, are 6-4 and in fourth spot.

Somerville signed Toora forward Lachy Dobson during the week and put him straight into the senior side.

He repaid the faith by kicking three goals, flying for marks and adding a new dimension to the Eagles attack that has been reliant on Ryan Gillis.

“It’s the first time ever that I’ve brought a player straight in,” Canavan said.

“We needed some help up front and Lachie is going to help us.

“Our forward line functioned better.”

A Langwarrin player is tackled as Mark Baguley is about to receive the ball. Picture: Paul Stanley Churcher

Sam McDonnell and Gillis also kicked three goals apiece as Somerville looked more dangerous with multiple avenues to goal.

Eagles young gun Nick Mason was named best-on-ground after a dominating display across half back while Mitch Mantell was outstanding as he recaptured his best form.

Brad Rowe did a good job on Langwarrin’s ex-AFL star Mark Baguley, and ditto for Kane McKenzie on former Syndey Swan Zac Foot.

Daniel Marshall played an important role across half forward, while Nathan Gillis and Luke Burton also impressed.

Langwarrin’s best were Zach Andrewartha, Blake Peach, Blake Harkness and Luke Churcher.

After Somerville’s 50-point loss to Seaford last week, Canavan put it on his players during the week.

“I definitely challenged them on Thursday night about how they’re going about their footy careers,” he said.

“I said, ‘it’s your opportunity to be a footballer. There’s an element of pride about how you conduct yourself on game day’.

“Most of the credit goes to our playing group to be honest, about how they prepared for the game and how they conducted themselves across four quarters.”

Canavan said Somerville’s game against Rye next weekend was a “season-defining” encounter.

In other results, Hastings beat Tyabb by 31 points, 8.9 (57) to 3.8 (26), in the mud at Barclay Oval to stay in touch with the top five.

Dylan Wilson was in everything for the Blues, who also found inspiration from Peter Mawson, Paul Rogasch, Matt Foy and Jake Hewitt.

Ethan Rahilly, Jordan Murphy, Brad Harbinson and Josh Riddle tried hard for the Yabbies.

Hastings, 5-5, is in seventh spot.