PENINSULA LEAGUE
By Toe Punt
FRANKSTON YCW humiliated Mornington in front of their own crowd to win by more than ten goals in the Peninsula League match of the round on Saturday.
Inaccuracy saved Mornington from further humiliation, the Stonecats dominating from the first bounce to have 35 scoring shots to just 11.
The Stonecats had an even spread of contributors, which went a long way to the 14.21 (105) to 6.5 (41) victory.
Frankston YCW coach Scott Mathers said when his side got their hands on the footy and started to win it, they were able to gain control and dictate terms.
“All of the good sides are hard to stop when this takes place,” said Mathers.
Unlike last week against Edithvale, the visitors were able to get control pretty quickly against the Dogs.
David Bodley booted five goals for the winners, while Jackson Calder was the only multiple scorer for the Dogs.
Mathers was keen to square the ledger against the Dogs, who beat them earlier in the season.
“We don’t want to go into the finals playing against a side we haven’t beaten in the home and away season. We certainly don’t want to be giving them (Mornington) any confidence going into finals,” said Mathers.
Ricky Morris has been a welcome addition in the past couple of weeks for YCW, while Byron Barry and Josh Westerman were back on the weekend. Ben Buckley and Dale Carroll are still a couple of weeks away.
“We have good depth at the moment and it places internal pressure to keep your spot, which is important,” Mathers said.
Mathers said despite the easy victory, the top four sides are evenly matched.
“There’s nothing between them and you have to be on from the first bounce in every match. I’m not discounting Mt Eliza, however, it’s just the top four sides have a better win/loss than Mt Eliza and they have two more rounds to prove themselves,” Mathers said.
Prove themselves they tried, however, MT Eliza was not good enough to beat Bonbeach, going down 12.10 (82) to 13.12 (90).
The Redlegs were in front at half time and trailed by just two points at three quarter time, before Bonbeach kicked 3.4 to 2.4 in the last.
Bonbeach coach Stevey Capp said before the game that it was going to be a tough one.
“They are close to having their best side in now and with Scott Lockwood up front, they can be hard to stop,” said Capp.
Lockwood booted six goals while Sam Gill and Karl Lombardozzi were significant contributors for the Redlegs.
Bonbeach rely on a spread.
“We have had to rely on an even spread to kick goals this season. We haven’t had one forward to rely on to kick goals each week so we have to rely on everyone to chip in,” said Capp.
On Saturday, Matt Clifford bobbed up for five majors while ruckman Dylan Jones was handy in attack with three goals. Paul Rebeschini was arguably the best player on the ground.
Jackson Casey was outstanding again.
“Jackson Casey has added a midfield role to his game and at such a young age, he’s becoming one of the best in the competition,” said Capp.
“Shane McDonald is spending about 70 per cent of his time through the middle now and is starting to get up and going again after coming back from his broken arm.
“It was really good for us to have another finals-type match so close to the business end of the season,” said Capp.
Karingal won its first game of the season on Saturday, dominating for most of the afternoon to beat Chelsea.
The Bulls were helped in their victory by former Port Adelaide star and Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade returning, while favourite son Bevan Malloy returned for a cameo performance.
Lade finished with two goals and Malloy was the best player on the ground.
Grant Goodall also dominated the ruck for the Bulls, Aaron Paxton was superb with three goals and George Angelopolous and Tom Wilkinson starred, as they have done for most of the season.
It was just reward for the Bulls, who have experienced a tough year. It was wonderful for Michael Burke, who put his hand up to coach for the remainder of the season.
Todd Gardiner was the best of the Gulls, who are once again experiencing tough times.
Chelsea has already been on the phone sounding out prospective coaches for next season.
Paul Howroyd is in his first season at Chelsea, replacing Paul Grybis, who had the job for one year.
Prior to the Mornington game, Chelsea coach Paul Howroyd told the club he would not be coaching next season.
However, he was buoyed by the performance of his team against the Dogs and is now rethinking his future with the club.
“We have a lot of injuries and there are a lot of Under 18s in the side, which is great for the long term future of the club but tough right now,” said Howroyd.
“The club and I had a hiccup before the Mornington game but after that, I had a lot of people come up to me and encourage me to keep going.
“I think the club and I need to sit back at the end of the season and take a deep breath.
“I’ll be coaching next year but not sure where at this stage,” said Howroyd.
It seems the club has already taken its breath and have been talking to prospects for next season already.
Pines coach Steve Ryan said Pines had not beaten Seaford in his entire time with the club, as a player and as a coach.
On Saturday, in his second last game as coach of the club, he celebrated an 18.13 (121) to 10.17 (77) victory.
Shaun White booted five goals, Guy Hendry four and Jimmy Messina and Chris Guganovic starred.
“We’ve been smashed most times we go there,” said Ryan.
In more exciting news for the Pythons, they expect to name their new coach when finals begin.
“We have three or four we are looking at and are hoping to announce one before finals begin, depending on what role those individuals might have at that time of the year,” said Ryan.
In the final game, Langwarrin kept its slim finals hopes alive with a great win over Edithvale-Aspendale.
The Eagles had their strongest side in for the season, however, the Kangas were able to do the job away from their home deck.
Matt Dimkos was the difference between the sides with five goals while Matt Naughton rucked for the entire game and took the honours.
Michael Kremmer was the best of the Eagles, while Nick Connellan booted three goals.
