DIVISION ONE
PINES have let top spot on the ladder slip out of their grasp after a defeat to Frankston YCW on Saturday.
The Stonecats hosted the Pythons, and came into the contest desperate for a win. The powerhouse club has suffered all year with inconsistent form, and needed a victory to stay in the mix for a finals berth.
Pines got off to the better start, and went into the half time break in the box seat. Up by 21 points at half time, the reigning premiers looked in a good position to go on and claim a win.
YCW looked like a different side after half time, racing out of the blocks to take Pines by surprise. Pines were held scoreless in the third term, and conceded four unanswered goals.
The Stonecats were up by a goal heading into the final quarter, and kept up the barrage. They put another five goals on the board before the final siren rang.
A poor second half from Pines saw them fall to a defeat against Frankston YCW 14.8 (92) to 11.7 (73).
Josh Butland and Luke Paynter played a big part, kicking four goals each for YCW. Paynter was judged best on ground.
The result was the only Division One seniors game decided by over two goals this weekend.
With Pines having lost, Sorrento had a chance to claim top spot on the ladder if they defeated the Frankston Bombers.
The Bombers ran out to an early lead, but the Sharks quickly bit back. Frankston Bombers chances of victory were extinguished by their poor performance in front of goals. They had the bulk of the scoring opportunities but were too inaccurate to make Sprrento pay.
The Sharks had to work for it, but claimed top spot with a 15.7 (97) to 12.1 (89) win over the Bombers.
Leigh Poholke had a good day for the Sharks, booting five goals. Poholke has enjoyed another good year, and has 59 goals to his name this season. Jake Di Pasquale also helped with a three goal effort, while Ethan King also played well for Sorrento.
Jarrad Grant continued his good goalscoring form for Frankston, scoring three majors.
At the other end of the ladder, bottom placed Mornington hosted Rosebud. The Bulldogs went into the game two wins behind ninth place. A win could prove vital in helping them secure survival in Division One.
Rosebud on the other hand look to have improved on their 2018 season which saw them struggle.
The Bulldogs showed plenty of bite early, and established a narrow early lead. Rosebud kept touch in a hard fought, high scoring first half, but the Bulldogs looked up for the challenge. Mornington went into half time up by fourteen points.
The Buds weren’t willing to take the loss lying down, and kept in touch in the second half. Just nine points separated the two sides heading into the final quarter, with the game poised to go down to the wire.
Both sides gave their all in the final quarter, and when the final siren sounded just one point was the difference between the two teams. Mornington were able to hold on to secure a thrilling, and important, win over Rosebud 17.11 (113) to 17.10 (112).
Jackson Calder made a massive impact for Mornington, booting five goals. The haul took his tally for the year beyond 50. Adrian Speedy was also more than handy, continuing his good form with a four goal effort.
Mornington now sit just four points behind Edithvale-Aspendale, who travelled to take on Dromana.
Edi-Asp started well with a five goals to one first quarter, and looked like they might pull off an upset. Dromana normally perform well at home, but were faced with a lot of hard work to get back in contention.
Dromana performed a little better in the second quarter, and were able to keep the game competitive. They closed the gap to 14 points by half time, and closed it even further to five points by three-quarter-time.
Despite leading all day, Edi-Asp were overrun by an impressive Dromana outfit. The final score read Dromana 10.13 (73) to Edithvale-Aspendale 9.12 (66).
Same Fowler was best on ground with three goals.
There was another thriller at Emil Madsen Reserve, as Bonbeach pulled off a brilliant come from behind win against Mt Eliza.
The Redlegs led at every break of play, and were in control of the contest up by 16 at three-quarter time.
A four goals to one final term saw the Redlegs throw away their lead. Bonbeach claimed the four points with a hard fought 11.5 (71) to 11.9 (75) win.
Trent Dennis-Lane was at his brilliant best, scoring six goals for the second week running.
First published in the Mornington News – 30 July 2019
