VFL: Frankston storms home to beat Carlton

The Dolphins have pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in VFL history, coming from 48 points down in the last quarter to beat Carlton.

Frankston players celebrate. Picture: AFL Photos

Frankston coach Danny Ryan hailed it one of his club’s greatest wins.

The Dolphins came from 48 points down at three quarter-time to defeat third-placed Carlton by seven points, 13.8 (86) to 12.7 (79), kicking 10 goals to one in the last quarter at a cold and windy SkyBus Stadium on Saturday night.

“We found a way, we found a way,” Ryan said.

“We just became irresistible I suppose.

“And we couldn’t miss.”

Frankston scored only three goals in the first three quarters — one goal in each term — before the monster finish.

It was the sixth biggest comeback at three quarter-time in VFL history — Prahran sits on top of the list after coming from 52 points down to beat Brighton in 1940.

Frankston gun Will Fordham led the charge with 26 disposals and 3.1 in a best-afield display as the Dolphins stormed home with what Ryan described as a “five to seven goal wind” in the last term.

Taylin Duman slotted the sealer at the 28-minute mark.

Frankston coach Danny Ryan. Picture: AFL Photos

Ryan praised his players and coaching staff for never giving up.

“We are really well led by great players and great coaches who didn’t lose their belief all night,” he said.

“We had field dominance in the second quarter but didn’t hit the scoreboard.

“At three quarter time there was a structural change from one of my assistant coaches, he brought a master switch which was fantastic.

“The players just bought in, got to work and found a way basically.

“Our defenders got really brave and took the game on knowing they’ve got nothing to lose, and then you get a sniff and away you go.”

Ryan said Fordham was at “the coal face for the entire night”, while captain Josh Newman (23 possessions) was also pivotal in the win, playing back before going into the middle.

Defender Max Williams was also influential and the move of Kai Owens into the ruck in the last quarter was game-changing.

“He gave us a bit of bounce around the middle of the ground,” Ryan said.

Connor Riley (19 touches and two goals) and Josh Begley (two goals) were also key contributors, while Sam Fletcher on a wing was excellent, despite suffering a migraine.

It was Frankston’s third win from six games.

“We’re actually a good team,” Ryan said.

“I don’t know how good we are but we are a good team.

“When we execute the plan and play to our strengths and don’t try and confuse ambition with ability we actually get a lot of stuff right.

“We are the typical stand alone (club), we are the sum of our parts.”

Ryan said the feeling after the game was euphoric.

“I’m not going to use the grand final analogy but it was euphoric in the rooms afterwards,” he said.

“The players usually have 10 to 15 minutes with their families before I get them in for a meeting…but they were into the coaches room pretty quick.

“And we brought the rest of the staff in because it is a collective, it goes from the boot studder right through to the amazing high performance staff.’’

Ryan hopes the win will launch his side towards finals.

“But you’re only as good as your next game aren’t you,’’ he said.

“We’ve got to load up for Willy next week…I don’t think we’ve beaten Williamstown since in the 90s at some stage

“It’s good that people are noticing we can compete with AFL teams.”

Pines dasher Khyal Jacobson made his VFL debut for Frankston and had eight touches before injuring his knee in the second quarter and taking no further part.

“He looked like he was belonging, he was going well,’’ Ryan said of Jacobson.

Bayleigh Welsh, from Mt Eliza, also made his debut.

FRANKSTON 1.3, 2.7, 3.7, 13.8 (86) d CARLTON 5.3, 6.4, 11.7, 12.7 (79).