DIVISION ONE
PINES have gone crashing out of the MPNFL in straight sets after a shock 62 point loss to Bonbeach.
The reigning premiers came into finals in patchy form, and weren’t able to correct course.
Pines started well and went into the first break with the lead, but looked a completely different side after quarter time. Bonbeach got the upper hand with a seven goals to one second term, and never let it slip from there.
The Sharks were able to keep the Pythons at an arm’s length in the third term, and finished the job with a stunning six goals to one final quarter.
Pines looked a shell of the side which lifted the trophy last season. They crashed out of finals with a 9.10 (64) to 18.18 (126) win.
Mitchell Gent was best on ground for the Sharks, kicking four goals. Trent Dennis-Lane also put four goals on the board
At RJ Rowley Reserve, Sorrento punched their Grand Final ticket with a win over Dromana.
Sorennto looked dominant from the start, and were comfortably ahead by over 50 points at half time.
After the main break Dromana showed more fight, but it was far too little far too late. Sorrento secured their spot in the premiership decider with a 16.12 (108) to 7.9 (51) win.
A seven goal haul from Leigh Poholke was instrumental for the Sharks, while Nick Corp also performed well with five majors.
Dromana will do battle with Bonbeach on Sunday, 8 September at Olympic Oval. The winner of the preliminary final clash will face Sorrento in the Grand Final.
First published in the Mornington News – 3 September 2019
