Red Hill football and cricket clubs enjoy successful era
The rise and rise of Red Hill’s football and cricket clubs has been one of the success stories of Mornington Peninsula sport. We track the key moments in the Hillmen’s journey to premiership glory.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s been plenty of sporting thrill at Red Hill in the past 12 months.
The town’s football and cricket clubs have both won historic premierships to gain promotion to the top flight of their respective competitions.
Red Hill’s footy side won its first flag in 29 years last September when it defeated Karingal by 38 points in the MPNFL Division 2 grand final.
Six months later, the cricket club, led by former Victorian batsman Simon Dart, claimed the MPCA Peninsula flag in March.
When local sport resumes, Red Hill will take its place among peninsula’s strongest sides.
“It’s all been happening in the last 12 months, that’s for sure,’’ Red Hill footy club president Graham Sherry said.
“It’s a purple patch as they say. It’s been a long time coming.’’
Sherry said the success hasn’t just happened by chance — “having good people at the right time’’ has been a key factor.
Sherry said a strong relationship between the footy and cricket clubs has certainly helped.
“We’ve tried to make the place as attractive as possible to come to for players and supporters,’’ Sherry said.
Red Hill’s football club set out on a mission five years ago to develop local talent under then coach Tony Blackford, and the club began to blossom.
It’s continued since Jamie Mollo took the coaching reins in 2018, the Hillmen going to a new level.
Red Hill made the 2018 MPNFL Division 2 grand final, losing to Dromana by seven points.
It was heartbreaking but it only stoked the fire within key players Jonah Siversen, Jake Mitchell, Tom McEncroe, Lachlan Chandler and Harry Wynn-Pope.
They would get their revenge the following year as Red Hill beat Karingal by 38 points to claim its first flag in 29 years.
Sherry, who is also chair of the ethics and integrity committee at the Western Bulldogs, said Red Hill’s rise, like the Bulldogs, was built on a strong club culture.
“When (coach) Brendan McCartney came to the (Bulldogs) club he had the ‘no dickhead’ policy and that went a long way to setting the foundations for the Doggies premiership in 2016,’’ Sherry said.
“The culture of the club is paramount.
“That comes from the senior coach and Jamie Mollo has been fantastic, really good.’’
Red Hill’s cricket success has been building over the past decade.
Dart was all business when he arrived on the Hill in 2012.
The decorated Premier Cricket star immediately made his intentions clear — he was there to lift Red Hill from Sub-District ranks back up to Provincial.
True to his word, he’s done it.
After a two decade absence, Red Hill will return to the top flight in its 100th year.
“It’s been a long journey,” Dart said.
“It’s been eight years in the making. We’ve tripped a few times, we’ve had a few learnings along the way but we’ve stayed on track.”
Key moments in Red Hill’s sporting rise
FOOTBALL
Sept, 2017: Red Hill appoints former Frankston VFL assistant coach and Oakleigh head coach Jamie Mollo. Red Hill’s president Roger Siversen says Mollo comes with a strong reputation.
June, 2018: Red Hill unveils its eighth debutant in as many games laying the foundations for future success.
July, 2018: Coach Jamie Mollo is reappointed for another two years. He has the Hillmen sitting in second spot and poised to challenge. Red Hill football manager Leigh Stafford says Mollo’s educational style of coaching is exactly what the club’s young group needs.
Sept, 2018: Red Hill’s gallant bid to snap a 28-year title drought ends in heartache, just, losing to Dromana by 8 points.
Jun 2, 2019: Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo dismisses suggestions his side is unbeatable after it banks its 10th successive win in MPNFL Division 2.
Sept, 2019: Red Hill snaps a 29-year premiership drought with a comprehensive 38-point triumph over Karingal in the MPNFL Division 2 grand final.
The Hillmen started slowly in front of a huge crowd at Frankston Park, but a five-goal-to-one last term secures the club’s first flag since 1990, with a 9.11 (65) to 4.3 (27) victory.
CRICKET
May, 2012: Former Victorian batsman Simon Dart says he will put himself in the firing line when he pads up for Red Hill in the MPCA next season.
After weeks of rumour and speculation, Red Hill reveals it has appointed the 34-year-old star as captain-coach, trumping a string of suburban clubs to secure his signature.
Dart tells the Leader: “I’d have to step out there straight away, wouldn’t I, and face the first ball?’’
Oct, 2012: Dart makes a whirlwind start to his MPCA career, peeling off a sparkling century against Dromana. Dart was sporting a couple of black eyes after being hit in the face in a fielding mishap at training during the week.
He hits another century the following week.
March, 2014: Emotions run high after Red Hill ends a 26-year premiership drought with a hard-fought 56-run win over Rosebud in the MPCA Sub District grand final at Pearcedale.
Led brilliantly by Dart, Red Hill’s side includes Andrew Brown, who played in the club’s 1987-88 flag. After losing the past two grand finals, the triumph is extra special. “We played our best cricket in the finals,” Dart declares.
March, 2017: Simon Dart produces one of the greatest grand final innings in MPCA history to guide Red Hill to its first District premiership in 31 years. A defiant Dart makes 133 not out — batting for almost 100 overs — as the Hillmen chase down Delacombe Park’s 307 at RH Hooper Oval to hoist the flag.
March, 2020: Red Hill is awarded the Peninsula premiership. The Hillmen were to meet Somerville in the grand final but the coronavirus crisis prevents the game being played. Red Hill, having finished on top of the ladder, gains promotion to Provincial for the first time in two decades.
MORE SPORTS NEWS
HISTORY: RED HILL WINS FIRST PREMIERSHIP SINCE 1990
WELLBEING SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR RED HILL
FORMER AFL TIGER STEVEN MORRIS JOINS RED HILL
SIMON DART STEERS RED HILL TO RECORD BREAKING WIN