SFNL: Frankston Dolphins has won the Division 3 minor premiership

Frankston Dolphins look set to go deep into September for the third straight year. Their coach discusses the importance of locking in a double chance and how they’ll look to rectify previous years.

Peter Mawson celebrates a goal. Picture: Valeriu Campan

They are “hungrier than ever”.

That’s the opinion of Frankston Dolphins coach Taylor Stratton, after his team officially locked away pole position on the Southern league Division 3 ladder on Saturday with a 147-point win over Black Rock.

It’s the Dolphins’ seventh win by 90 points or more this year as they sit two wins and 170 per cent ahead of second going into the final round of the season.

This home and away dominance has been steady for the Dolphins over the past three years, having recorded top-two finishes in each of their past three seasons.

But according to Stratton, the Dolphins’ appetite for success is showing no signs of slowing down.

“The boys are really determined,” he said.

“They steer the ship, I just give them a bit of guidance and they drive it, they’ve driven the standards.

“They’re hungrier than ever, for sure.

“No one is ever due (for a premiership), I just think the boys do a lot of running, gym, every Tuesday we run, they never complain and just embrace it.”

Blake Rhodes. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Ticking off the double chance is “super important” to Stratton, who feels any side on their day in the top four can give the premiership race a shake.

“It is super important because as I said previously anyone of these top-four sides can knock anyone off on their day,” he said.

“That double chance, bit of a security, is a bonus for sure.

“We’re getting there, we’re almost settled, injuries and whatnot but I think come that first final we should be hitting it with the best side we can put out there.”

The stretch of home and away dominance is yet to bring silverware for the building Dolphins.

Stratton, who joined the club this year, says he can’t judge on previous seasons and denies any pressure or expectation to win the flag this season.

“Maybe externally but I am certainly not feeling it and I don’t think the players are either,” he said.

“We’ve had a mantra ever since round 1 that regardless of who our opposition is, we have the mindset that ‘this team is the best team in the comp’.

“I don’t think that’s going to change.”

The Dolphins will take on the winner of either South Mornington or Heatherton this weekend.

The Tunners haven’t lost since round 9 when they last met the Dolphins.