VFL 2024: Frankston Dolphins emerge as finals smoky after beating Collingwood

Seb Quirk, Trent Mynott, Angus Grant and co fired Frankston to a crucial win over Collingwood as Josh Smith made a rousing return from injury.

Noah Gown of Frankston celebrates a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

A big crowd, a past players function and Collingwood as an opponent…if ever Frankston needed to deliver it was on this sunny Sunday in July.

And deliver they did, the Dolphins playing spirited football to beat the Pies by 19 points, 13.16 (94) to 11.9 (75), at Kinetic Stadium.

In doing so, Frankston improved its record to 6-7, keeping its finals hopes alive — the Dolphins haven’t played VFL finals since 2008.

“We’ve still got five games to go in the season,” Frankston coach Jackson Kornberg said.

“There’s a log jam in the middle of the ladder, there’s a lot of good teams fighting it out.

“I’d like to say our best is good enough but we just need to focus on continually banking wins to get us there.”

Frankston coach Jackson Kornberg. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Kornberg, 31, has instilled belief in the Dolphins since being appointed last October.

One of the youngest senior coaches in the club’s history, he’s ambitious — and the players love it.

“I don’t shy away, we want success at this footy club but we just need to keep our eyes low and look to the Northern Bullants next week and Casey the week after and keep pushing forward,’’ he said.

“And if that’s enough then fantastic. If it’s not, well, we’ll just keep pushing forward with the improvement we’ve made.”

Seb Quirk had 29 disposals and kicked a goal in a best-afield display for the Dolphins.

“He was outstanding,’’ Kornberg said.

“His work around stoppage and contest is something he’s really worked on and I thought he gave us first use out of stoppage.’’

Trent Mynott of Frankston. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Frankston captain Trent Mynott kicked two goals from the midfield and had 23 touches.

“I challenged him before the game around what he had to deliver for the team as the skipper and I thought he did that,’’ Kornberg said.

Noah Gown provided a strong target up forward, kicking three goals.

“I thought that was his best game for the club,’’ Kornberg said.

“He’s only new to the club, he kicked a few, created contests, crashed packs. He’s been waiting for a game like that.’’

Seb Quirk.

Angus Grant. (Photos by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

Angus Grant was also excellent near goals, taking six marks and booting 2.1.

The Dolphins also found inspiration from Jackson Voss, Blake O’Leary and Tom Murphy.

After trailing Collingwood by five points at quarter-time, Frankston kicked six-goals-to-two in the second term to establish a 22-point lead at halftime.

For Collingwood, Ashley Johnson slotted five goals in his best game of the season.

Kornberg said: “It was a really important win, obviously in the context of the season but just for more with our past players there, big crowd, big supporter base...it was important to put on a good showing after a couple of losses in a row. We’re rapt.’’

Kornberg said a highlight for Frankston was the return of defender Josh Smith, who missed nearly two months of footy after suffering severe facial injuries in a collision with Sydney’s Luke Parker in May.

“For him to get through a full game back I think was a pretty important milestone for him,’’ Kornberg said.

“He’s a pretty important member of our footy club, not just on field but off field as well. It was great to see him come back…a good step forward for him.’’