MPNFL

DIVISION ONE

IT was a game for the ages as newly promoted Langwarrin came up against Mt Eliza at Emil Madsen Reserve on Saturday.

Last year’s Division Two premiers had something to prove in the higher division, but the Redlegs were keen to show them what life was like in Division One.

Langwarrin were quick out of the blocks, slotting a couple of majors in the first quarter. Mt Eliza, while getting four shots on goal, only managed four minor scores, setting a pattern of inaccuracy for the day.

Mt Eliza found the middle in the second quarter, managing three goals, while restricting the Kangaroos to a single goal. They went into half time three points up but could have been in a much stronger position as they had missed the big sticks eight times in the first half.

In the third quarter, it was time for the Redlegs to put the pedal down, and they managed eight scoring shots to Langwarrin’s single. Again, though, inaccuracy marked Mt Eliza’s play with the three-quarter time score telling a story in front of goal with Mt Eliza 6.13 to Langwarrin’s 4.5.

The margin was 20 points going into the final quarter, and Mt Eliza must have been confident of a win. Langwarrin had other plans, though, and set about grinding away at their lead.

While slotting 3.4 in the final quarter, Langwarrin restricted Mt Eliza to just two minor scores. When the final siren sounded, it was all level at 51 points each. Mt Eliza would rue their inaccuracy in front of goal with their 6.15 to Langwarrin’s 7.9 speaking to the lost opportunity.

Dromana were in no mood to mess around when they took the long drive north to take on Bonbeach at home.

They were firing in the first quarter and slammed on an impressive 6.3 to Bonbeach’s single goal to go into the first break with an impressive 33 point lead.

Bonbeach put up mild resistance in the second quarter, slotting a couple of goals, but Dromana kept rolling forward and went into the big break with a 27 point lead.

The second half saw more of the same, with Dromana grinding Bonbeach down. Three-quarter time saw Dromana with a 45 point lead, and although Bonbeach managed to pull it back a little in the final quarter, Dromana still went to the showers as 40 point winners.

The final score of 13.13 to 8.3 represented 26 shots on goal to just 11, showing that if Dromana had been more accurate in front, the margin could have been significantly higher.

Jordon Andrews slotted four goals for the winners, and Billy Geurts three.

Frankston Bombers were left shell shocked after the first quarter when Pines came out blazing. The Pythons managed six scoring shots to one to head into the first break with a 20-point lead.

Things were very tight in the second quarter with neither team managing to get much on the board. Pines managed only two minors to Frankston Bombers’ single point.

The third quarter saw the Bombers slam on six goals to Pines’ single major, turning a 21 point deficit at half time to a seven point lead at three-quarter time.

From there, the Bombers couldn’t be stopped and they extended their lead during the final term to end up 22 point winners. The final score was 12.8 to 8.10.

Saturday saw last year’s grand final winners, Frankston YCW, take on Sorrento.

The Stonecats undertook a controlled demolition of the Sharks that saw the Sorrento lads never in with a chance.

YCW kept Sorrento at bay all day before piling on eight goals to one in the final quarter to pull away. The final score was 15.15 (105) to 5.11 (41).

Matthew La Fontaine was the best goal scorer for the Stonecats with four majors.

Rosebud and Red Hill were both coming off significant losses in round one when they headed to Olympic Park for their clash. It was a tight affair for most of the day indicating these teams are about on par with each other.

There were only four points in it at quarter time, and Red Hill were only a single point up at the big break.

In the third quarter, Red Hill managed to break away a little, kicking a couple of majors while leaving Rosebud goalless. They went into three-quarter time with a 14-point lead.

Rosebud came out a different team in the final quarter, slamming on six goals and a couple of points, while keeping Red Hill to just two goals. Rosebud ended up 12-point winners with the final score 9.7 to Red Hill’s 7.7.

DIVISION TWO

THE goal umpire’s flags were in tatters from incessant waving after Saturday’s clash between Somerville and Chelsea saw an impressive 62 scoring shots for the game.

The first quarter set the tone for the day with the Eagles kicking 4.2 to the Seagulls 3.5 to be three points up at the first break.

Somerville managed to pull away a little during the second half as the scoring shots still flowed. They had established a 12-point lead at the big break.

Chelsea came out swinging in the third quarter and managed six goals to Somerville’s two, setting themselves up with a 14-point lead at three quarter time.

And while the scoring shots flowed freely in the final quarter, Chelsea managed to pull away to get the chocolates with 21-point margin at the final siren. The final scores were Chelsea 21.13 (139) to Somerville’s 18.10 (118).

Crib Point must have fancied themselves on Saturday when they came up against Pearcedale. The Magpies won their first-round match, while Pearcedale were soundly thumped by Devon Meadows in the first round.

The game started evenly, with both teams kicking accurately in front. Pearcedale managed six through the big sticks to Crib Point’s four to establish a 12-point lead for The Dales at quarter time.

The second quarter was a tussle, with Pearcedale gently grinding at the Magpies, but not running away with it, leaving a 19-point margin at the main break.

The Dales came out a different team in the third quarter and punched six goals while holding the Magpies to a single major, drawing away and establishing a 54-point lead at three quarter time.

Crib Point did their best in the final stint, but it was too little, too late. They pegged the score back a little, but the final margin was still 42 points in favour of The Dales 18. 12 to 12.6.

It looked like it would be a walk in the park for Edithvale-Aspendale in the first quarter of their clash against Devon Meadows on Saturday.

They piled on an impressive 5.5 to Devon Meadows 1.2 at the first break to establish a 27-point lead.

Devon Meadows put their foot to the floor in the second quarter with eight scoring shots to three pulling the margin back to just seven points at the big break.

Edi-Asp pulled away a little in the third quarter to get their lead back to 16 points at three quarter time.

But again, the Panthers pounced in the final, kicking five goals to two, and managing to get their whiskers in front. The final score was 13.10 (88) to Edi-Asp’s 12.13 (85).

Hastings came into round two after a strong win against Seaford Tigers the week before. Karingal had yet to notch up a win after their first-round game against Mornington was abandoned due to the injury of their ruckman, Reuben Hanson. Knocked out just before half time, the game was delayed over an hour as an ambulance attended to the stricken player. The contest was subsequently called off and the point split.

The tussle could not have been tighter with a single point in Hastings’ favour separating the teams at quarter time, and a single point in Karingal’s favour separating the teams at the big break.

Hastings slotted four majors to Karingal’s three in the third term to establish a four point lead at three-quarter time.

In the final quarter, Karingal put it into top gear kicking 4.5 for the term and restricting Hastings to a single point. They ended up 24-point winners with the final scores 11.15 (81) to 8.9 (57).

Tyabb entered round two as first round winners against Rye, while Seaford Tigers came in as first round losers against Hastings.

The result of their clash at R. F. Miles Reserve in Seaford was never in doubt with Seaford gently pulling away from Tyabb throughout the day.

A 13-point lead at quarter time became a 33-point lead at the big break. A 45-point lead at three quarter time became a 57-point margin at the final siren.

Jack Lonie was the best goal kicker for Seaford with five for the day while Jake Anderson kicked three of Tyabb’s five majors.

Mornington headed to Rye for the final clash of the week, under lights on Saturday night.

Both teams were without a win after the first round with Rye thrashed by Tyabb last week, and Mornington’s game abandoned.

The night ended up a dismal affair for the Demons, with few opportunities and poor kicking in front of the sticks.

While Mornington managed to put 3.3 on the board in the first quarter, Rye managed just five straight points.

While Mornington doubled their score in the second quarter, Rye managed just 1.1 to give the Bulldogs a 30-point lead at half time.

Things went from bad to worse for Rye in the third quarter with Mornington slamming home six goals while keeping Rye goalless. Mornington went into the final break with a 66-point lead.

Rye managed three goals in the final quarter to Mornington’s one, pulling back the final margin to 55 points, but hit the showers with game best forgotten.

First published in the Mornington News – 18 April 2023