Red Hill rally ends Dromana’s winning streak while Tyabb celebrates a clean sweep

RED Hill coach Jamie Mollo says his side gained “a real sense of belief’’ from its stirring come-from-behind six-point win over ladder leaders Dromana on Sunday.

Red Hill teenage defender Noah Turner was outstanding as the Hillmen came from 30 points down at halftime to beat Dromana 14.11 (95) to 14.5 (89) on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Valeriu Campan

RED Hill coach Jamie Mollo says his side gained “a real sense of belief’’ from its stirring come-from-behind six-point win over ladder leaders Dromana on Sunday.

The Hillmen came from 30 points down at halftime and 19 points behind at the last change to edge Dromana 14.11 (95) to 14.5 (89) and inflict the Tigers’ first defeat of the season at Red Hill Reserve.

Jake Mold, teenage defender Noah Turner, in-form forward Sean Marchetti (three goals) and ruckman Harry Wynn-Pope were instrumental as Red Hill roared home.

“In that last quarter I just put it to the boys, ‘we’ve got to have a bit of belief in our system, the way we play’, and they did, and it started to unfold,’’ Mollo said.

MPNFL Division 2: Karingal v Red Hill. Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo addressing players. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“The game started to open up a bit and our fitness started to show.’’

It was a coming-of-age win for Red Hill, which sits in fifth spot.

“In the rooms after there was a real sense of belief that now the tide has turned our way and we think we can start catapulting into the second half of the season,’’ Mollo said.

“It was a mature win.’’

Mollo praised Turner, 17, for his efforts to keep Dromana’s leading goal scorer Ethan Johnstone to one goal. Red Hill’s backline also included 17-year-old Dan Frampton.

For Dromana, Ben Holmes booted six goals in an excellent return from injury, while Matt Price, Sam Geurts and Terry Wheeler tried hard.

Karingal extended its winning streak to six when it pulled away from Somerville, 13.17 (95) to 8.20 (68), in front of a massive crowd at Ballam Park.

Andrew Mathers was best-on-ground and Mason Russell and Jordan Jones were in cracking form as the Bulls outscored the Eagles 4.8 to 1.4 in the last quarter to consolidate second spot.

Karingal 17-year-old Ryan McNamara kicked three last-quarter goals as the Bulls charged home.

Andrew Mathers was best for Karingal.

Champion Michael Burke finished with three goals and ex-Blue Andy McInnes kicked two majors. Somerville’s best were Ben Sedgwick, Justin Allsopp and Travis Finn.

For Karingal, former coach Brendan Dunne played his first game for the season and got through, while David Hirst, against the club he used to coach, suffered a quad injury.

On Saturday, Tyabb enjoyed its most successful day in seven years, celebrating wins over Devon Meadows in seniors, reserves and Under 19s at Bunguyan Reserve.

And with their netball side having a draw, the Yabbies hit the mid-season turn with a pep in their step.

Tyabb’s senior side turned a 15-point quarter-time deficit into a stirring 32-point win, 17.17 (119) to 13.9 (87), against Devon.

Karingal’s Justin Farrelly.

Yabbies forward Jake Anderson had a day out, slotting 7.2 to be a clear best-afield. Skipper Ethan Rahilly was also at the heart of the victory, along with Brad Harbinson, Mitch Uaongo, Darcy Underwood and Brendan Doyle.

Uaongo, despite giving away height, rucked manfully, cracking in all game.

“We started pretty slow, we were pretty much spectators in that first quarter,’’ Tyabb coach Aaron Pacey said.

“They were all over us so it was good for us to tighten up and peg them back.

“It probably helped that Anderson couldn’t miss – I think he kicked 7.2 and the only two he missed were from right in front. The rest he was kicking them out of his backside.’’

It was Tyabb’s second win, continuing the Yabbies rebuild. Pacey said the club’s only goal for the rest of the season was to be “continue being competitive’’.

“This year was always going to be a development year,’’ he said.

Pearcedale roared back to winning form with a strong 13.9 (87) to 5.6 (36) result at Crib Point.

Former Dolphin Ben Mitchell returned from injury to kick five goals, while centre half forward Lachy Cowell also slotted five goals.

U19 midfielder Luke Daniel also played a starring role, as did emerging ruckman Huw Jones, who had to ruck all game after Harry Prio rolled his ankle in the first five minutes.

Pearcedale coach Leigh Stewart said his side showed a lot of character after its starting midfield, Luke Dalmau, Jacobson and Zach Campbell pulled out on Thursday night.

“So it’s a massive win,’’ he said.

“The boys did well and they were boys. Someone worked it out and wrote down the ages of the kids who started and you should have seen the numbers – the midfield was 17, 20 and 18. I don’t know what the average age was but if it was over 20 it wouldn’t have been by much.’’

Chelsea improved its record to 7-2 with a 24-point win over Rye.

A six-goal burst in the third quarter set up the 15.17 (107) to 12.11 (83) victory for the Seagulls, who were ignited by Zane Carter, Josh Tripcony and Jack Francis (four goals). Adam Kirkwood, Matt McIndoe and Nick Rowson did best for Rye.

Hastings consolidated fourth spot with an impressive 13.13 (91) to 9.10 (60) win over Langwarrin.

Ben King was in red-hot form for the Blues, along with Colin McVeigh, Aaron Vinson, Matt Clifford and Chris Moloney, while Luke Hewitt slotted four goals. For Langy, Blake Peach impressed in his first game since April.