AFL Victoria Community Championships: Geelong beats Mornington Peninsula Nepean to stay number one

GEELONG remains the top ranked community league in Victoria after defeating Mornington Peninsula Nepean yesterday in their interleague clash at the MCG.

Geelong coach Jeremy Dyer shows off the trophy with players Brandon Howarth (left) and Tim Sheringham. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

GEELONG remains the top ranked community league in Victoria after defeating Mornington Peninsula Nepean yesterday in their interleague clash at the MCG.

The Geelong interleague side successfully defended the No.1 league crown it claimed last year, with on baller Matt McMahon and co-captain Jason Davenport leading the side to the 16.9 (105) to 11.17 (83) win against the Sharks.

Inaccuracy in front of goal cost the Sharks in the first half. They trailed 1.4 (10) to 5.1 (31) at quarter time, and by 21 points at the main break despite having four more shots on goal.

READ MORE: Winners, scores from 2017 AFL Victoria Community Championships

Toe the line: Campbell Floyd is tackled by Luke Tapscott. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Davenport finished with three goals, all in the second half, which was matched by Sam Dobson.

Geelong interleague coach Jeremy Dyer also praised ruckman Jayden Symes and defender Nathan Peoples.

“I think we got out of jail a bit with their inaccurate kicking early,” Dyer said.

“Both teams played to their strength, but we just had a little bit more polish to finish off.

“If it had been a bit more even right from the start it would’ve changed things a little bit, but I think we just had a little bit more polish going forward, a little bit more efficient.”

Mornington Peninsula Nepean went in with the best 23 players available, said coach John Hynes. Anthony Bruhn (Footscray) and BJ Credlin (Richmond) were called up for VFL duties on Thursday, Credlin for his first game, but Hynes was not making excuses on the personnel.

Brandon Howarth kicks a goal quarter goal for the Geelong interleague side. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“We were outclassed in the end,” he said.

“We certainly didn’t start the way we wanted to, a few uncharacteristic mistakes and we weren’t really clean around the clearances.

“The moment we fumbled they were able to capitalise and go forward and kick easy goals, and the moment we went forward it seemed like really hard work just to get a score on.”

A heated exchange between players from both sides at halftime resulted in a yellow card for Tim Bongetti.

Geelong players celebrate the win. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

But despite the Sharks having one less player for the first part of the third quarter, Hynes said it turned into the “the best 15 minutes we played all day”.

The margin was just 19 points midway through the term, but edged out to 27 points at the final change.

Reigning Peninsula league best-and-fairest Shane McDonald looked dangerous in that quarter in particular, but managed to post just one goal for the day.

Luke Tapscott, Nick Corp and Matt La Fontaine kicked two goals apiece.

Saturday’s results sets up rematches for both teams next year against their 2016 opponents. Geelong will meet the Eastern league, while Mornington Peninsula Nepean will play Northern.

Originally published as AFL Victoria Community Championships: Geelong beats Mornington Peninsula Nepean to stay number one