MPNFL

DIVISION ONE

PINES had no problems on Saturday against cellar-dwellers Bonbeach. The Pythons led at every break and kept Bonbeach to just two majors until the fourth quarter.

The margin was greatest at three-quarter time when Pines were 84 points up before Bonbeach came back a little with four goals in the final quarter.

The final score was 18.11 (119) to Pines’ 6.11 (47). The Pythons ending the regular season third on the ladder.

Sorrento had a tough task at home against ladder leaders Dromana. The Tigers only lost one game for the season and would not be coming off the top of the table, no matter what the score.

An eight goal to three first quarter put the Sharks in their place from the get-go.

Sorrento matched it with in the second quarter going into the long break with the same 32-point margin as quarter time.

Dromana upped the pressure in the third and notched up four majors to Sorrento’s solitary goal to take a 54-point lead into three-quarter time.

The Tigers tightened the thumb-screws in the final quarter to run out 66-point winners.

Sorrento finished the home and away season in sixth place, while Dromana earned a rest for next week and are favourites for the flag.

Frankston Bombers took on Mt Eliza at Baxter Park in what was a game for pride. A win against the fourth placed Redlegs would see the Bombers rise to fifth, but unable to dislodge Mt Eliza from fourth spot.

It was a tight affair all day, with Frankston leading at every break.

Three points up at quarter-time, Frankston only managed to be four points up at the main break.

Twelve points up at three-quarter time, the margin was only 11 points at the final siren.

The two teams will meet again next Sunday in the Elimination Final.

The Stonecats showed their style as they played host to Rosebud on Saturday.

A crushing seven goal to one first quarter put Frankston YCW 38 points up at the first break.

Only inaccuracy in front stopped the margin slipping out too much more in the second quarter with Frankston YCW kicking 2.5 to Rosebud’s 1.1.

A four goal to one in the third quarter saw the margin slip out to 69-points margin at the final break.

Rosebud livened up in the final quarter but the Stonecats may have already been thinking about finals football by then. The final scores were 17.13 (115) to 6.9 (45). Rosebud finished their season eighth on the ladder with six wins and 12 losses for the 2023 season. Frankston YCW finish the regular season second on the ladder and face Pines next week in the Qualifying Final.

Langwarrin came up against Red Hill on Saturday with neither team in finals contention.

It has been a difficult year for the Kangaroos after an undefeated year in Division Two in 2022, securing promotion to Division One, and then struggling to get wins.

In fact, Langwarrin only notched up three wins and one draw for the 2023 season, and 14 losses, perhaps having them wishing for the “good old days” in Division Two.

Saturday wasn’t going to prove any better for the Kangas. Red Hill came out strong and kept Langwarrin goalless in the first quarter. By half time, they had slotted a few but Red Hill still held a 22-point lead.

Red Hill kept Langwarrin to a single point in the third quarter stretching their lead to 42 points at three-quarter time.

It was all over, and Red Hill were just counting down the minutes to cutains for both team’s 2023 campaigns. Red Hill ended up winners 11.11 (77) to 5.8 (38).

DIVISION TWO

KARINGAL took on Somerville on Saturday in the 2023 Qualifying Final. The winner would have the right to take on ladder leaders Mornington next week.

The first quarter was a tight and low scoring affair with both teams slotting 1.3.

Somerville hit the accelerator in the second but inaccuracy in front of goal cost them dearly. They managed only a single major for the quarter but nine minor scores, limping out to a lead that should have been much healthier than five points.

The third quarter was a similar affair with Somerville going into the final break with a 12 point lead.

The final saw a completely different Somerville come out. After scoring 4.16 in the first three quarters, they slammed on 7.4 in the final quarter to leave Karingal in their wake taking the 12 point lead at three quarter time to a 44 point victory at the final siren.

The final scores were Somerville to 11.20 (86) to 5.12 (42).

Devon Meadows and Pearcedale finished fourth and fifth respectively, so met in the Elimination Final.

Two words summed up Devon Meadows day. Patrick Ryder. The ex-AFL star slotted seven goals for the Panthers in their 19-point win over Pearcedale.

Devon Meadows will now face Karingal next week.

First published in the Mornington News – 22 August 2023