Mt Eliza spearhead Justin Van Unen kicks 11.9 and is poised for a century of goals
MT ELIZA spearhead Justin Van Unen lit up Madsen Reserve on Saturday, bagging 11.9 to take his season tally to 83.
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MT ELIZA spearhead Justin Van Unen lit up Madsen Reserve on Saturday, bagging 11.9 to take his season tally to 83.
“He was back to his best,’’ Mt Eliza coach John Georgiou declared after Van Unen’s dazzling display helped the Redlegs to a 113-point drubbing of Chelsea.
With four games plus finals remaining, Van Unen looks set to become the first century goal kicker on the peninsula since he achieved the feat himself in 2012 while playing with Rye.
Van Unen has fired off bags of 12, 11 and 10 goals this season, but Georgiou felt Saturday’s performance was his best.
“I think so … he was pretty awesome against YC first game … but yesterday, although he’s kicked a lot of goals, he also set a few up,’’ he said.
With his offsider Scott Lockwood off the ground injured, Van Unen turned it on as Mt Eliza outscored Chelsea 12 goals to one after half-time, winning 22.20 (152) to 6.3 (39) to remain on top of the ladder. Redlegs midfielder Rohan Heasley also turned in a brilliant game.
Star Mornington ruckman Mick Gay suffered an eye injury in the Bulldogs’ 32-point loss to Edi-Asp at Regents Park.
Gay went off after being accidentally poked in the eye and didn’t return. Edi-Asp got on top in the third quarter and cleared out to win 14.13 (97) to 8.17 (65). Matt Clark and Tim Mannix fuelled the Eagles’ win, which boosts their bid for a top-three spot.
On a five-game tear, Edi-Asp has emerged as a top-three contender – although coach Graeme Yeats denies the chance to secure a finals double-chance is driving the Eagles.
Edi-Asp is now only half-a-game out of third spot.
“Haven’t discussed or given it any thought,’’ Yeats said after being asked if he thought his side could grab a top-three spot.
“I guess it’s a realistic opportunity but it’s not something we are concerned about right now.
“I’ve always said we’d be a better team in the back half of the year. We’ve played a lot of kids.’’
Yeats said Edi-Asp midfielder Tim Mannix was outstanding in the first half before Clark took up the slack in the second half. He also praised Matt Kremmer in the ruck and defender Mark Mullins who kept Mornington forward Jackson Calder quiet.
Edi-Asp faces reigning premier Frankston YCW on Saturday.
Pines coach Paddy Swayn isn’t panicking despite the Pythons’ run of three successive losses. On Saturday they lost by 10 goals to Frankston YCW, further denting their top-three hopes.
“I was actually pretty proud of the boys yesterday to be honest,’’ Swayn said.
“Realistically we set ourselves at the start of the year to play finals and we still haven’t ticked that off yet.
“We’re not playing terrible footy. Against better sides when the pressure goes up our ball use is still (not quite up to standard) … that’s probably our biggest issue. I can’t fault their effort or tackle pressure.’’
Frankston YCW unleashed an eight-goal opening quarter to set up its 15.12 (102) to 5.12 (42) win. Byron Barry, Kevin Lylak and Luke Collins starred.
Sixth-placed Langwarrin kept its finals hopes alive with a gripping seven-point win over a fast-finishing Seaford. The Tigers rattled home, kicking six goals to Langy’s one in the last quarter. Jayden Grose and Michael Parker were Langwarrin’s best. Seaford’s loss was soured further by a knee injury to star youngster Mark Di Blasio.
Bonbeach warrior Daniel Smith became the 20th player in MPNFL history to reach 300 senior games — and he did it in style, named best-on-ground in the Sharks’ 86-point win over Karingal.
Smith capped the display with two goals, while Chris Bryan (five goals) and Brad Sykes (four) ran hot.
In Nepean league, Red Hill boosted its finals hopes with a stirring 27-point win over Hastings.
The Hillmen (9-5) are in sixth spot, out of the five on a percentage but having played one extra game than the four sides above them.
They have beaten Rosebud, Sorrento and Hastings this season and coach Tony Blackford said a finals berth was now possible for his side. “We still need to probably have Somerville drop one of their last three, or Hastings. But the problem is that Hastings play Tyabb again,’’ he said.
“We had a fantastic effort from everyone. We got off to a good start and stuck to a plan and were able to execute it.’’
Sorrento, on a four-game tear, climbed to third spot after beating Crib Point by 10 points. Troy Schwarze fuelled the Sharks, along with Jamus Campbell, Leigh Treeby and Ben McCormack.
Six weeks after breaking his jaw, Rosebud recruit Rob Forrest was best-on-ground in the Buds’ five-point win over Somerville. Forrest’s Subiaco premiership teammate Jason Bristow was also superb, along with Matt Baker.
Pearcedale co-coach Patrick Heijden fired off 10 goals in his side’s thumping 106-point win over Tyabb. Teenager Alex Harnett also sizzled as the Dales won 24.22 (166) to 9.6 (60).
Pearcedale jumped Tyabb at the start, kicking six unanswered goals in the first quarter. Ben Mitchell, Lachlan Marshall and Dylan Hoare were also in the Dales’ best.
Rye improved its record to 11-2 with a 15-point win over Devon Meadows. Ryan Mullett had more than 40 touches.
Frankston forward Zach Longham slotted seven goals in the Bombers’ 43-point win over Dromana.
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