Rye win easily but lose former Hawk Simon Taylor to serious hamstring injury

RYE’S thumping 97-point win over Pearcedale on Saturday came at a cost, with two of its high-profile recruits suffering injuries

Somerville recruit Tim McGenniss gets a kick away under pressure against Red Hill. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

RYE’S thumping 97-point win over Pearcedale on Saturday came at a cost, with two of its high-profile recruits suffering injuries.

Former Hawthorn ruckman Simon Taylor badly tore a hamstring while new forward Adrian Gileno couldn’t play after hurting his back in the first half.

Rye also lost Matt Dunn with a knee injury.

Taylor will undergo scans on Monday but Rye coach Josh Moore said “it doesn’t look great … possibly a tendon’’.

By half-time Rye only had one on the bench but still finished off with a 10-goal last quarter, winning 27.15 (177) to 12.8 (80).

Ryan Mullett played his best game for Rye with more than 40 touches, while Andrew Dean kicked seven goals and Dean Milhouse, recruited as a centre half back, went forward halfway through the second term and finished with six goals.

Rosebud midfielder Brenton Payne broke his ankle during the Sharks’ 26-point win over Crib Point.

Payne underwent surgery on the weekend.

“He’s a quality player, a three-time best and fairest winner,’’ Rosebud coach Nick Jewell said of Payne.

“Probably, though, if we could lose anywhere this year it would be from the midfield with the depth we’ve got. But in saying that he’s a quality player and will be missed, no doubt.’’

Payne’s place in the midfield could be taken by former Frankston Dolphins captain Paul Kennedy, who phoned Jewell last week to say he wanted to play with the Buds. He will slot in on May 2.

Rosebud set up victory with a 5.4 to 0.5 third quarter, inspired by Under 19 pair Tom Stoffels and Jackson McRae.

Crib Point, last season’s grand finalist, has made a slow start to the season with two losses and coach Duane Annable said the Magpies faced challenges.

“We’re down five players who played in the grand final last year who we won’t see either at all or until the second half of the season,’’ he said.

“The side we’ve got now is pretty much what it’s going to be.

“I can’t see us being a top-three side. I would honestly say we’re playing off for fourth or fifth. That’s my opinion at the moment.’’

Somerville coach David Hirst. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

Somerville, after failing to score in the opening quarter, finished fast to beat Red Hill by 26 points. Tom Shaw and Matt Maltman both kicked three goals and Kane McKenzie, Todd Farrelly and Jed Sutton sparkled. Undefeated after two games, the Eagles still have more improvement to come, according to coach David Hirst.

“I’m happy, apart from our starts — we keep giving sides three or four goals before we get going,’’ he said.

“It’s happened in all our practice matches and against Tyabb last week. Red Hill kicked the first four yesterday. But we were sensational from quarter time onwards. We really got on top of them and our back six were enormous.

“I think our best footy will be in the second half of the year, once we gel a bit better together.’’

Somerville full-forward Tom Shaw attempts a mark against Red Hill. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

Dromana thumped Tyabb by 142 points, with Terry Wheeler, Christian Ongarello and Sam Geurts dominating. Up forward, Mat Jones (five goals), Sam Fowler (four) and Toby Banks (four) loomed large.

In Peninsula league, first-gamer Liam McKay kicked a goal after the siren to help Edithvale-Aspendale salvage a draw with Langwarrin.

McKay, 17, was paid a free kick and then heard the siren sound. Showing great poise under pressure, he lined-up for goal and drilled it from 40m to knot the scores at 81 apiece.

Edi-Asp coach Graeme Yeats said his side was fortunate to bank two points.

“We were probably the second best team on the day but we salvaged a draw,’’ he said.

Langwarrin forward Gerard Brown was the dominant player on the ground, kicking 4.11.

Langy coach Gav Artico said: “It was definitely a wasted opportunity. We played good footy or three quarters and then essentially went to sleep in the last.’’

Mornington made it two wins from as many outings after an all-the-way 34-point win over Seaford. Warwick Miller was in dashing form, while Dale Nolan and Dale Whelan both kicked three goals.

More Justin Van Unen magic helped Mt Eliza to an 87-point win over Bonbeach. Van Unen booted 10 goals and has 18 in two games for the Redlegs.

Frankston YCW unfurled its premiership flag and then defeated a gallant Chelsea.

Brent Guerra’s Chelsea served it up to the champs in the first half, trailing by 10 points.

But the Stonecats took control in the second half to win by 87 points as Lachy Wallace, Kyle Hutchison, Ryan Santon and Daniel Waddell asserted their authority. Grant Trew and Todd Gardiner tried hard for the Seagulls.

Aaron Edwards kicked five goals in Pines’ 77-point win over Karingal. The Pythons sit atop the ladder, unbeaten.