SFNL: A trio of factors shifted Mordialloc from potential relegation

An ex-AFL Dee kicked six and a pair of teenagers showed positive signs as Mordialloc leapt from the bottom of the ladder. Here’s the full reaction.

A bag of six from Mitch Brown and the injection of two teenage debutants has sparked Mordialloc out of the dreaded last position.

The Bloodhounds stunned finals aspirant St Paul’s McKinnon, 13.5 (83) to 11.10 (76), to launch from their prior position of potential relegation.

Despite previously recording just one win, Mordialloc coach Brendon Moore said the final siren generated reward as opposed to relief.

“Not relief but reward for effort,” he said.

“The last month or so we have been thereabouts, we have played four of the top five side’s the last month and we have been more than competitive.

“It was a bit more about getting reward for effort for the players, than anything.”

Mordialloc coach Brendon Moore speaking to his players last season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Ex-AFL Demon Brown booted a season-best six majors, topping his previously season-best of five from the week before.

Moore said Brown is starting to adjust to local level after so long in the AFL system.

“Mitch is just a really good player, our biggest issue is if we can give him enough opportunities,” he said.

“The more the ball gets down there, the more he’s going to get it because he’s a very good player.

“He has a huge work-rate, he runs like a midfielder, it’s a pretty good effort to kick six.

“I think it takes time, he has been in the AFL system for such a long time, I think it takes some time to adjust to local football.

“It’s not delivered quite like he’s used to, it just takes some time.”

Mitch Brown. Picture: Hamish Blair

Alongside Brown in the Bloods’ best were teenagers Xavier Supple (two goals) and Brodie Woodcock (one goal) on debut.

Moore declared his side “confident” of moving forward in Division 1 with the lively youngsters leading the charge.

“We’re confident if we keep playing the way we’re playing the wins will come,” he said.

“We had a 16 and 17-year-old play on the weekend and were both good, they add a bit of a spark, a bit more fight around the packs – it was good for the club to have some young kids in the side.

“I think the thing with that too, it’s a lot easier to look ahead than looking over your shoulder.

“If you get a couple more wins under your belt you can start to look forward to what’s coming as opposed to what’s behind.

“It’s a pretty tight comp, with us we don’t have any easy games, it might be different with sides up the top but we just talk about bringing effort every week now.”

Harrison Edwards of Mordialloc. Picture: Hamish Blair

Jordan Hesline kicked two majors.Picture: Hamish Blair

In other matches, Cranbourne flexed its muscles over Dingley, 17.10 (112) to 5.4 (34).

The Dingoes had all the momentum heading into the final change before a fourth term onslaught, which included 10 unanswered goals, saw the Eagles home.

The loss is Dingley’s second in as many bouts as it faces a European exodus.

Marc Holt and Kirk Dickson kicked three each for Cranbourne.

Matt Wetering did as he pleased for Springvale Districts in its 20.24 (144) to 4.4 (28) win over St Kilda City.

Wetering kicked three and was mentioned as the Demons’ best.

Port Melbourne Colts’ Mitch Clark backed up his five last week with half-a-dozen this week, booting six in a dominant individual performance.

He dragged his Colts over the line, 8.18 (68) to 7.9 (51) after ChelseaHeights made them earn it early on.

Nathan Robinson, Luke Tapscott and Cody Stackelberg were among the Demons’ best.

It took a half of footy for Cheltenham to kick into gear, trailing at the first and main breaks against Bentleigh.

The Rosellas’ class eventually shun through, as they kicked nine goals to two in the second half on their way to a 13.12 (90) to 8.10 (58) win.

Tom Davis kicked three majors and was Cheltenham’s best.