PENINSULA LEAGUE
JUST when everyone thought that the 2017 Peninsula Division premiership race was wide open, Frankston YCW came out on Saturday and once again highlighted that it is still the team to beat.
The Stonecats haven’t been playing the greatest of football in 2017 despite winning games of footy and being equal top of the ladder.
However, on Saturday, with an armoury of VFL, yet local talent, the Stonecats were able to put the new kids on the block in Seaford to the sword.
Just two weeks early, the Tigers were right in the game against Pines, however, on Saturday, they were no match for the more experienced Stonecats.
The general feeling amongst the YCW camp was that they would continue to make improvements throughout the year under new coach Wayne Capp, who has brought some new styles and tactics to the game plan in 2017.
On Saturday, with VFL talent including Anthony Barry, Anthony Bruhn, Matt LaFontaine, Jake Lovett, Lachy Wallace and Jake Di Pasquale, the Stonecats were at their very best.
One thing that does mean a lot to Frankston YCW Football Club is their people and milestone games – they always find something extra. On Saturday, the incredibly underrated Jai Coghlan played his 200th game.
It wasn’t just the ‘stars’ that shone for the Stonecats though. Josh Butland booted five majors, Matt Debenham is back to his best, Luke Paynter is a star and Macklan Raine is quickly becoming a dominant force in this competition.
The Tigers just couldn’t match the visitors, despite the efforts of Aaron Walton and Dean Rayson with three majors each and the fine performances of Ben and Dylan Howlett.
The Stonecats should have won by a lot more, considering it had 38 scoring shots to 16, 17.21 (123) to 11.5 (71).
MT ELIZA also put its hand up and announced that it is not a spent force in the premiership race, leading for most of the afternoon to beat PINES 11.11 (77) to 10.9 (69) at Eric Bell Reserve.
The Redlegs have been whacked with the unlucky stick this season, copping bad injuries to some of its best young talent, as well as injuries to its key players.
Before the match, Mt Eliza coach Troy Shannon said there were a number of reasons that his side was playing inconsistent footy.
“If I could tell you what the single issue is, we’d be able to work our way out of it,” Shannon said.
“The reality is that there are a combination of things not going quite right at the minute and we need to work through and around it.
“We were in a similar position last year though and came through it all right, so I’m confident we can do the same again,” Shannon said.
Well, it may have started on Saturday with James Anwyl dominating, Aaron Dunne dominating with two goals and Karl Lombardozzi at his best.
Aaron Edwards kicked six for the Pythons and Tim Bongetti three, however, there was very little additional contribution.
In Beau Hendry’s 200th game, Pines coach Pat Swayne said after the match “the best team on the day won the game”.
LANGWARRIN has lost nine straight games, belted by EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE to the tune of eight goals, 17.12 (114) to 9.11 (65).
Mark Meehan booted four for the winners and Aaron Macguire and Timmy Mannix were superb.
MORNINGTON has kept its season alive, overcoming a slow start to beat CHELSEA 12.13 (85) to 11.4 (70).
Emilio Bitters and Joel Miller were outstanding for the Dogs while Peter McGettigan booted three goals.
Grant Trew was named Chelsea’s best while Curtis Bywater booted three goals.
BONBEACH had 10 goal kickers in its massive 22.14 (146) to 5.5 (35) win over KARINGAL.
Trent Dennis-Lane added five goals to his nine last week while Dylan Jones spend some more time forward and finished with three goals, along with Owen Hulett, Shane McDonald and Beau Bailey. Mark Tyrell was also back and dominated.
Jake Kelly, Nathan McDonald in his first game, Grant Paxton and Michael Burke were the best of the Bulls.
First published in the Mornington News – 20 June 2017
