Picture: Andrew Hurst
NEPEAN LEAGUE
DROMANA maintained its position in the top five despite losing to Frankston Bombers by 22 points in MPNFL Nepean Division on Saturday.
Billed as the match of the round, the game appeared to be anything but that in the opening quarter when the Bombers jumped out of the blocks and booted the first six goals of the game.
The Bombers completely dominated centre clearances and their inside 50 count was 19 to two at one stage late in the term.
Sam Fox booted three goals in the last quarter against Red Hill last week and booted three in the opening quarter on Saturday. Dromana’s Craig Christie did go to Fox after his early domination and had an impact before Jackson Quigley was given the job and shut him down completely.
At quarter time, the Bombers had booted 6.8 (44) from 21 inside 50 entries. It missed some sitters and should have been 10 goals up at the first change.
A goal just before quarter time game Dromana a tiny sniff at the break.
That sniff appeared to be enough. The Dromana of the first five weeks would have thrown in the towel and be beaten by 15 goals.
There’s a resolve about this young group. It worked its way into the contest and for the second and third quarters, it outscored Frankston eight goals to four.
However, whenever Dromana got close, Frankston was able to respond.
The smallest margin for the match was eight points.
Sam Fowler (four goals) and Jay Hutchison (three goals) were keys in attack for the Tigers while Dean Waugh’s drive off half back was superb. Skipper Terry Wheeler was superb when his team needed him.
The Tigers kicked the first goal of the last quarter and when Hutchison had a shot from 45 metres it would have reduced the margin the just four points. The shot missed and Frankston took it up the other end of the ground and booted a goal to make the margin 15 points.
Jarryd Amalfi, Nathan Lonie and Corey Micari provided enormous drive out of defence for the Bombers while Longham, Muston and Harnett all looked dangerous in attack.
Through the middle, Mitch Bosward, Dale Sutton and Matt Harris were excellent.
Composure and experience were the difference between the sides in the end.
Dromana should be congratulated for coming back the way it did when it was blown away in the first 25 minutes.
Frankston needs to be applauded for its scintillating start, weathering the storm and outscoring the opposition in the last when the game was up for grabs.
Somerville is just one game outside the five after coming from behind to beat Rye.
Billy Rolfe and Travis Finn in his fourth game for the Eagles were superb with three goals each while Justin Allsop continued his strong season.
Sixteen-year-old Dylan Allen was sensational for the Demons in his first senior game, Matt Whelan snagged three majors and Harry Witty worked tirelessly.
The Demons led by four points at half time but the Eagles booted 10 goals to five in the second hour to win 15.12 (102) to 11.14 (80).
Tyabb played arguably its best game of footy for the season on Saturday, trailing Rosebud by just eight points at half time and going down by just 44 points.
Jack Doman booted five goals in a superb display for the Yabbies while Brad Williams and Geordie Scott also played four great quarters of footy.
Jack Jarman and Daniel Wilson were the best of the Buds who again were inaccurate in front of goal, winning 12.19 (91) to 7.5 (47).
Sorrento blew Red Hill away in one quarter of football on Saturday, which resulted in a 21.15 (141) to 12.7 (79) victory.
The Sharks booted six goals to two in the third quarter to end the contest by three quarter time.
Nick Corp was dominant with seven goals and Leigh Poholke booted four while Danny Stephenson was also a dominant force. Angus Callaghan played his first game for the season.
Devon Meadows coach Glenn Michie dusted-off his footy boots and made a forced return to the field for his side against Crib Point on Saturday.
Given his side’s lack of depth, Michie was forced to come out of retirement and take to the field. He booted two goals in his team’s 14.14 (98) to 10.12 (72) victory.
The Meadows led by a whopping 49 points at half time before Crib booted seven of the next 10 goals to add some respectability to the scoreboard.
In the final game, David Hirst and Shaun Foster booted four goals each and Luke Clark, Dale Alanis and Paul Rogasch three each to help Hastings to a monster 26.17 (173) to 9.8 (62) victory over Pearcedale.
The Blues booted 21 goals to five after quarter time and had 12 goal kickers.
Zach Campbell and Damian Scully were the best of the Panthers.
