MPNFL 2021: Sorrento overcomes spate of injuries to beat Pines in Division 1

A leading MPNFL Division 1 club was so depleted by injuries it had to bring in players who hadn’t played in years. It led to a memorable performance.

Sorrento’s Shannon Gladman tries to evade Pines big man Jake Pusch. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It was the ultimate selection dilemma.

Sorrento, hit hard by an extraordinary run of early-season injuries, was flat out having enough players to field a reserves team last Saturday.

Nine senior Sharks had gone down with an array of soft tissue strains in the opening round.

So, the Sorrento SOS went out.

Mates of mates, brothers of players and club stalwarts were roped in to pull on the boots in Sorrento’s reserves game against Pines.

Jake Dunn, older brother of Sharks player Mitch, came in for his first game in 10 years, and his first since under 16s.

He played without any training at all under his belt.

Others, like Joseph Woodley, James Rulach, Kye Young and Michael Pattison pulled on the boots for the game at Pines.

And low and behold, Sorrento’s twos won by two points.

Sorrento’s Shannon Gladman fires out a handball against Pines. Picture: Valeriu Campan

And its senior side, filled by players with little or no senior experience, also dug deep for a rousing five-point win over the Pythons, 13.11 (89) to 12.12 (84).

Sorrento senior coach Luke Tapscott declared the against-all-odds winning double as “a great club day”.

“We were dragging blokes who hadn’t played for 10 years into the twos,” Tapscott said.

“Yeah, it was a great club win in both grades. Pretty happy.

“I think those blokes who played might be a bit sore.”

Tapscott praised the spirit and willingness of the Sharks family.

“That’s what makes the club so great, they put their hands up,” he said.

“Even though it wasn’t best for themselves they did it for the team.”

Sorrento’s Mitch Dunn clutches his knee. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Although it won, Sorrento’s run of injuries continued.

The seniors game was held up for several minutes in the last quarter when Mitch Dunn suffered a painful dislocated knee cap.

He writhed in pain as trainers rushed to his aid. Stretchered off, a doctor put his knee cap back in place in the rooms.

“He’ll be probably six weeks on the sidelines but as Dunny always is, he was in good spirits, up and about, in the middle singing the song with everyone while he had the green whistle in his mouth,” Tapscott said.

“He’s a good character, Dunny. The boys love him.

“He didn’t have a good day — he broke his nose in first quarter then did his knee in last.”

Sorrento coach Luke Tapscott.

Sorrento guns Shannon Gladman (four goals) and Zach Byrns (two) were pivotal as the Sharks surged clear in the last quarter before Pines gallantly fought back.

With Sorrento up by five points, Pines player Jacob Boyle’s flying shot for goal moments before the final siren fell 10m short.

Tapscott said it was a vital win for the Sorrento, which sits at 1-1.

“It’s a big difference going 1-1 compared to 0-2,” he said.

“I was just really happy with the effort from all the boys. We had nine changes from round one, a lot of blokes who hadn’t had much senior opportunities really stepped up and gave us what we were looking for which was effort around the contest all day.

“It was a very contested and hard-fought game all day with a lot of momentum swings and they were well and truly coming at the end there and we were lucky enough just to hold on I suppose.”

Pines coach Paddy Swayn was proud of his side.

“For such a young group they’ve got a lot of character,’’ he said.

“Watching it, you probably thought we were going to get done by four or five (goals) but we nearly won.’’

Sorrento ruckman Lachlan Croad gets a tap out.

Tapscott praised young ruckman Lachlan Croad, who had 61 hit outs.

“He probably played his best game for the club,” he said.

“He’s obviously still trying to find his feet as a senior ruckman but he’s got a heart as big as you’d find. He’ll give us a contest all day, every day. He’ll keep improving.”

Adelaide recruit Myles Poholke injured his shoulder but, after coming off the ground and having it strapped up, he returned to the fray.

“It was just a bit of a stinger,” Tapscott said.

“He’ll be no worries, he’s a tough little bugger he is. He played out the game.

“After the game he was a bit sore but he’ll be no problem.”

Tapscott said Sorrento would regain seven players for its game against Edi-Asp this Saturday.