Pines burst out of a form slump with rousing win over Chelsea as tempers flare

OI! Pines are back. After four losses on the trot, the Pythons put their season back on track, dispatching Chelsea by 60 points in a fiery encounter.

Chelsea and Pines players mix it up near the boundary line on Saturday. Picture: Mark Dadswell

OI! Pines are back.

After four losses on the trot, the Pythons put their flag quest back on track on Saturday, dispatching Chelsea by 60 points, 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60), at Beardsworth Ave.

And it took a third quarter dust-up to spark them into action.

Late in the term players clashed heatedly against the boundary fence — and Pines key forward Tim Bongetti emerged with a bloodied nose.

For the 1987 Chelsea premiership side, which had gathered for a 30-year reunion, it might have revived memories of the “good old days’’.

Bongetti responded by kicking the first goal of the last quarter – showing his jubilation to the Chelsea crowd – to ignite a Pines run on. The Pythons scorched home with seven goals to one in the last term.

Tempers flared alongside the boundary fence late in the third quarter.

Pines and Chelsea players engage in push and shove.

Pines coach Paddy Swayn was relieved to win and said the game was generally played in good spirits.

“That (scuffle) was only real brief,’’ he said. “There was nothing in the game, it was just a good contest. That little two minute burst was stupid…’’

Pines not only emerged with the points but also with a fine young prospect. Liam Cox, 17, the son of club champ Paul, kicked three goals on debut after being called into the side on the morning of the game.

Pines ball magnet Luke Potts was best-on-ground, able supported by Paul Scanlon, Daniel Falzon and Jacob Boyle. Chelsea’s best was Sandringham’s Jack Noone, along with Grant Trew and Curtis Bywater.

Pines player Tim Bongetti had blood coming from his nose. Pictures: Mark Dadswell

Tim Bongetti of Pines salutes the Chelsea bench after goaling in the final term.

In other Peninsula league games, Frankston YCW made light work of bottom side Langwarrin, winning 16.18 (114) to 6.5 (41). Ryley Hodson (five goals) and Anthony Bruhn (three) were lively for the Stonecats, while Langy’s Nick Tuddenham and Michael Parker tried hard.

Edithvale-Aspendale secured a finals berth with a rousing seven-point win over Seaford, 12.15 (87) to 11.14 (80). The Eagles had to dig deep to hold off a determined Seaford, which trailed by 31 points early but hit the front late in the game with a Tom Shaw goal, before Eagles livewire Billy Flavelle kicked the match winner.

Bonbeach champ Shane McDonald slotted four goals in his side’s 39-point win over Karingal, 13.6 (84) to 6.9 (45).

Pines ball magnet Luke Potts was best-on-ground.

Chelsea player Curtis Bywater is under pressure from Pines players.

In Nepean league, Rosebud’s run of games without a loss stretched to eight on Saturday – but only just.

Brenton Payne kicked a goal with a minute to go to salvage a draw against Hastings, the Buds and Blues locked together on 10.12 (72) apiece at the final siren in front of a bumper crowd, including Collingwood great Peter Daicos, at Olympic Oval.

Daicos was a guest at Rosebud’s president’s luncheon and he would have enjoyed a cracking Nepean league contest.

“I think it was the right result,’’ Rosebud coach Adrian McBean said.

“They probably played a bit better than us...but to get a draw out of it was pleasing.’’

The two points secured a finals double chance for Rosebud, while reigning premiers Hastings will have to launch its title defence through an elimination final.

McBean said Rosebud, second, was in good shape nearing finals.

“I think we’re a contender,’’ he said.

“Yesterday was a good challenge for us. They (Hastings) are playing some really good footy at the moment. It was like a finals game, it was a bit scrappy and really contested footy.

“This week we face Sorrento at Sorrento so that will be a really big game, a good challenge heading into finals.’’

Pines coach Paddy Swayn.

Seb Krumeich, Dale Stephens and Aaron Rose were Rosebud’s best players, while Hastings skipper Paul Rogasch booted five goals and Steven Robb and Aaron Vinson again impressed for the Blues.

The battle for fifth spot will go down to the wire, with Red Hill and Dromana locked together on 40 points going into the last round.

Red Hill’s percentage of 121.76 is slightly better than Dromana’s (120.12). Red Hill faces bottom side Tyabb and Dromana hosts ninth-placed Rye.

A vintage display by former VFL star Chris Irving set up Red Hill’s thumping 78-point win over Crib Point, 19.22 (136) to 9.4 (58). Irving was unstoppable as he kicked seven goals, with support from Jonah Siversen, Jake Mold and ruck Craig Kennedy. “It was vintage Chris Irving,’’ Red Hill coach Tony Blackford said. “He was just clean and relentless, it was bloody good.’’

Beau Hendry (Pines) tangles with Chelsea ruckman Aaron Pawell. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Dromana trounced Pearcedale by 77 points, 20.13 (133) to 8.8 (56), with Matt Hammond and Rikki Johnston kicking four goals apiece and Shaun Clarke starring.

Ex-Dolphin Sam Fox fired off six goals to help Frankston dispatch Devon Meadows, 18.18 (126) to 8.5 (53), and secure a top-three spot. Fox was hot but the Bombers had winners all over the ground with Jason Kingsbury (four goals), Mitch Bosward, Corey Buchan and Alex Harnett also dominating.