PENINSULA LEAGUE
EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE pulled off one of the most amazing results in memory on Saturday when it held on to draw against Frankston YCW and subsequently, snatch a last gasp spot in the top five.
The Eagles broke a four game losing streak to pull off the draw, a result that was a long way from anyone’s wildest imagination prior to the match.
Edithvale-Aspendale had struggled with injuries and lost its place in the top bracket at the hands of Seaford.
Having to beat top of the table YCW was remote and although Seaford was odds-on to lose to Mt Eliza, there was little chance the Eagles could wrest back their position in the five.
However, despite the ball spending 80 per cent of its time in the YCW forward half in the tense final quarter, the home side was somehow able to prevent the opposition from scoring enough to grab victory.
The game seemed to be going to script in the first half when, despite the Eagles playing some good footy, the visitors led by 15 points at the main break.
The Eagles though, through the likes of star players Mark Mullins, Jeremy Heys and Stevey Mannix, got their nose in front in the third term with three unanswered goals.
Edithvale had 22 scoring shots to YCW’s 17 and outscored the Stonecats 5.5 to 3.2 in the second half.
The final score was YCW 10.7 (67) to Edithvale 9.13 (67).
The draw came on the back of the announcement earlier in the week that Stonecats coach Scott Mathers would not seek reappointment for the top job in 2017.
The Stonecats were on the phone to at least three prospects early in the week, including premiership coaches Tony Blackford and Gavin Artico.
Despite winning though, the draw was as good as a win for Edithvale. Seaford was only two points clear of Edithvale going into the final round after they gave up a five goal three quarter time lead against Karingal earlier in the year to hold on for a draw.
The Eagles will play neighbour Bonbeach in the cut throat elimination final on Sunday at Frankston Park after the Sharks finished in fourth place on the ladder.
Bonbeach had a scrap against Langwarrin, scraping home by the smallest of margins.
The corresponding game earlier in the season was without question one of the worst spectacles for the season – this one wasn’t much better.
The Sharks led by 21 points at quarter time after kicking with the wind, led by three points at half time and by 15 at three quarter time.
The Kangas dominated the play in the last and prevented the Sharks from scoring, however, despite opportunities to win the game, Langwarrin failed by a point, 7.8 (50) to 7.9 (51).
Jackson Casey and Daniel Smith were superb for the Sharks while Nick Tuddenham with three goals and Zach Andrewartha were very good for the Kangas.
Mornington continued its steam train ride to the very end with a 20.13 (133) to 10.14 (74) victory over Karingal.
The Doggies opened up a break in the opening quarter before getting eight goals in front in the second.
Jackson Calder, Stuey Seager and Dale Whelan all booted four goals for the Dogs while Ryan O’Dell dominated.
Chris Hay kicked six for the Bulls while Aaron Lees and Harry Czarnecki got the top votes.
The Bulls have formed a sub-committee and have begun the interview process for a new coach, with former coach Bevan Malloy and former Mt Eliza coach John Georgiou believed to have thrown their hat into the ring.
Pines got back onto the winner’s list with a big 19.9 (117) to 9.17 (71) win against Chelsea.
The Pythons restricted the opposition to one goal in the opening half and led by 42 points at the main change.
The game opened up a little in the second hour with the Gulls kicking eight goals to Pines’ nine.
Michae Bezzene booted four goals for the Pythons in only his third game for the season while Aaron Ludewig and Brad Kiely were impressive also.
Grant Trew gets all the tough jobs for the Gulls and he was outstanding again while Curtis Bywater also played one of his best games for the season.
Mt Eliza will go into the qualifying final against Pines without Dan Gromley after he was reported in the opening quarter of its match against Seaford.
The Redlegs booted five goals to one in the opening quarter and cruised to a 12.9 (81) to 4.11 (35) victory against the Tigers.
Gormley finished with a game high four goals for the Redlegs and Dave Barton and Harper leonard dominated.
Chris Murfett and Kyle Mathews were the best of the Tigers, who missed out on a final berth by percentage.
First published in the Mornington News – 23 August 2016
