Youngster Ethan Johnstone slots five goals to inspire Dromana to rousing win over Somerville in Nepean league

DROMANA is still in the hunt for a finals berth after upsetting flag hopeful Somerville.

Dromana’s Dean Waugh about to shoot off a handball against Somerville on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

A DYNAMIC display by a classy teenager helped Dromana stun the highly-rated Somerville by 37 points and remain in the hunt for finals.

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Johnstone slotted five goals – a day after playing school footy – as the Tigers won 16.11 (107) to 10.10 (70).

“He (Johnstone) played school footy on Friday and backed it up on Saturday, and to play at that level was a pretty fair effort,’’ Dromana coach Rikki Johnston said.

Johnston said it was Dromana’s first four-quarter performance since round one.

Former Chelsea ruckman Rory Gregg was another key factor in Dromana’s win, while Christian Ongarello shone and Johnston and Beau Cosson kicked three goals apiece. Dromana (4-5) is in eighth spot, two games out of the five, and Johnston believes the Tigers can make a late charge for finals.

“We believe we are good enough to play finals but we also believe we have probably put ourselves in a position where we’re going to have to really knuckle down and make every post a winner from here,’’ Johnston said.

Somerville coach David Hirst was left disappointed by his side’s third loss.

“Our effort was extremely poor. It’s the third time it’s happened where we haven’t rocked up and been outplayed,’’ Hirst said.

“It’s definitely an attitude thing…our best is arguably the best in the comp but, I tell you what, our worst is as bad as anyone’s I reckon. There’s just too big a gap between our best and worst.’’

Dromana’s Rohan Bleeker looks for an option up the ground against Somerville. Picture: Hamish Blair

Harry Larwill fired off seven goals to help Red Hill to a 69-point win over Pearcedale. Jake Mold also ran hot, named best-on-ground, while Sean Marchetti and Craig Kennedy did well.

Ladder leaders Frankston Bombers got on top of Rosebud after halftime to record a 33-point win in the mud at Greg Beck Oval. Ryan Marks-Logan, Josh Francis, Sam Fox and Jarryd Amalfi were best for the Bombers.

Rye beat Crib Point by two points in a squeaker. The Demons came from behind as Ryan Mullett, Kris Bardon and Ryan Taylor stamped their authority.

Devon Meadows caused the boilover of the season, edging title contenders Sorrento by two points at David McFarlane Reserve.

In a gripping finish, Panthers Under 19 player Joel Hillis laid a desperate tackle with two minutes to go to prevent a Sorrento a goal that would have put the home side in front.

The Panthers prevailed 13.12 (90) to 12.16 (88) – their first win over Sorrento since being back in Nepean league. “It was a really satisfying day,’’ Devon Meadows coach Glenn Michie said.

“We deserved to win but the scoreboard in the end was a bit closer than what we would have liked.’’

In the rooms, Devon Meadows players shared their joy with popular teammate Beau Miller, who is battling serious health issues. Panthers skipper Jesse Dehey phoned Miller, who listened to the team sing the song.

Devon Meadows surprised Sorrento by leading narrowly at quarter time and halftime before kicking five goals in the third term to open up a 24-point lead going into the last.

Somerville playing-coach David Hirst was lively before hurting his foot against Dromana on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Devon teenager Jayden Sullivan was named best-on-ground, and earned high praise from his coach.

“He’s one of the most exciting kids I’ve ever played with. He’s a star,’’ Michie said.

“He’s about six foot two and plays on a half back flank and is just so clean, he runs back with the flight without any concerns of the consequences of getting hit. You can’t teach that. He took some telling marks.’’

Dehey, Chris Doria, Steve Roberts and Jack Hazendonk (three goals) were also key contributors for the ninth-placed Panthers (4-5). For Sorrento, Nick Corp slotted six goals.

In Peninsula league, Chelsea had a day to forget, racking up more injuries than goals in its 91-point loss to Seaford.

Half a dozen Seagulls sustained painful injuries, including Jake Greeley (broken arm), in the 19.14 (128) to 5.7 (37) loss.

James Brain (knee), Grant Trew (Achilles), Matt Gardiner (ankle) and Josh Tripconi (ribs) were also hurt as Chelsea finished the game with 17 men.

For Seaford, Matt Herbert and Kyle Matthews (four goals) dominated as the Tigers (4-5-1) climbed to sixth spot, two points out of the top five.

Tigers coach Ben Murphy said, after so many tense games this season, it was good to have a clear-cut win.

“You could enjoy parts of the game,’’ he said.

Murphy said the scoreboard “reflected our contested ball dominance’’.

“To put it in perspective, Chelsea did get hit hard with injuries,’’ Murphy said.

“They didn’t have a bench in the second half when we over ran them. We played really well but how much was our good play and how much was their misfortune was impossible to tell.

“We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves.’’

Pines coach Paddy Swayn was relieved after the Pythons overcame a scare to beat bottom side Langwarrin by five points.

Adam Marriner, who is nearing his 300th game, was best on ground. Swayn was impressed by Langwarrin’s effort.

“They (Langy) were really committed, they tackled much better than us, they probably should have won,’’ he said. “It was a funny game of footy for us, we were really flat. In all the stats that we take, they won every area that we rate, except for the scoreboard.

“It was a really good learning experience for our boys that if they get ahead of themselves or don’t go a hundred percent, we are vulnerable. “I’m relieved to get the points.’’

Frankston YCW thrashed Mornington by 112 points, with Paul Minchington (4 goals) and Kyle Hutchison again starring.

Bonbeach climbed to fourth spot after beating Karingal by eight points, 9.14 (68) to 9.6 (60). Justin Bennett, Jacob Flannery and Shane McDonald showed the way for the Sharks.

Mt Eliza dispatched Edi-Asp by 51 points, Nathan Ryan, Sam Gill and Justin Van Unen (7 goals) starring.