MPNFL

DIVISION ONE

LANGWARRIN scored the upset of the season against undefeated Dromana at Lloyd Park last Saturday.

Dromana has been dominant this season. The premiership favourites came into the match 15-0 for the year. Langwarrin on the other hand have struggled, and sit in ninth place with just two wins to their name.

The Kangaroos were up for the fight all day long. Dromana led at the half-time and three-quarter-time breaks, but never by more than five points.

Langwarrin were relentless in the final term. They managed to sneak ahead, and were rewarded for their hard work with a stunning five point win.

Langwarrin upset the ladder leaders 7.12 (54) to 7.7 (49). Blake Pullen, Zach Andrewartha, Nicholas Hammill, and Blake Harkness were the Kangaroos’ best.

The win was a huge boost to Langwarrin’s hopes of top division survival. They now sit six points clear of Bonbeach, who nearly pulled off a miracle of their own on Saturday.

Bonbeach almost defeated second-placed Frankston YCW at John Coburn Oval last weekend.

The Sharks led early, but Frankston YCW were able to take back control. At half-time the Stonecats led by two points.

Frankston YCW opened up a 20 point lead in the third term, but Bonbeach wasn’t ready to give up. The Stonecats scored just one goal in the last quarter, but that was enough to hold off the fast-finishing Sharks.

Frankston YCW managed to beat Bonbeach 11.1 (76) to 11.4 (70). Josh Patullo scored five crucial goals for the Stonecats.

The loss means Bonbeach will need a miracle to survive relegation. They have just two games left to overcome the six-point advantage Langwarrin holds.

Frankston Bombers finished the round in fifth place after a comfortable 62 point win over Rosebud. They are four points ahead of Sorrento, who are still in the hunt.

Sorrento’s finals hopes were kept alive by a thrilling victory over Mt Eliza. The Sharks beat the Redlegs by just one point at David Macfarlane Reserve.

Pines comfortably beat Red Hill to round out the winner’s list.

DIVISION TWO

WITH just one round remaining in the home-and-away season, Edithvale-Aspendale is in pole position for a finals berth.

Edi-Asp finished the weekend in fifth place after a huge win over Hastings. They were awesome in front of their home crowd – Edithvale-Aspendale dominated from the outset with a ten-goals-to-two opening half.

Things didn’t get much better for Hastings in the second half, although they did manage to stop the flow of goals for a short while. The Blues ended up succumbing to Edithvale-Aspendale 20.22 (142) to 10.4 (64). Kurt Lo Po was the best on ground.

The win added to Edithvale-Aspendale’s already impressive percentage. That advantage may be the difference in a week’s time, as it is all that separates them from sixth-placed Pearcedale.

To keep their finals hopes alive, Pearcedale had to beat Rye. They had little trouble on their home deck, and went on to claim a 91 point win 25.21 (171) to 12.8 (80).

Luke Daniel booted seven goals for Pearcedale.

With finals spots on the line, Pearcedale will play Seaford away from home this Saturday. Although they are in pole position now, Edithvale-Aspendale face the more difficult task of beating Mornington under lights.

Chelsea was effectively eliminated from finals contention last weekend after a big loss to Mornington. The Bulldogs smashed Chelsea by 65 points 11.20 (86) to 22.19 (151).

The win keeps Mornington on top of the ladder. Karingal still trails them on percentage.

Karingal kept touch with top spot by beating Tyabb last weekend. The Yabbies were beaten by 44 points.

Somerville smashed Seaford by 131 points, and Devon Meadows beat Crib Point by 84 to close out the round.

First published in the Mornington News – 8 August 2023