Author: Brodie Cowburn

DIVISION TWO HASTINGS have battled hard, but failed to defeat Red Hill at Thomas Barclay Oval on Saturday. The Hillmen have been near impossible to beat in 2019, but Hastings signalled their intent with a good first half. The Blues led at both quarter time and half time, but only by a goal. The Hillmen, who have been by far the best defensive side in the competition, held Hastings scoreless in the third quarter to get back into the contest. Hastings could only put one goal on the board in the final term, and eventually succumbed to defat. The final…

DIVISION ONE MORNINGTON have secured their second win for the year in a shock result against Frankston YCW. The Bulldogs got off on the right foot with an excellent first term. They went into the first break with a 17 point lead. Frankston YCW struggled badly all afternoon, and were not able to claw their way back into the contest. They scored 0.6 across the second and third quarters of the match. A three goals to zero final quarter saw the gap between the two sides close, but the Stonecats were too far behind to catch up. The final score…

DIVISION TWO CHELSEA have claimed a nail biting victory over Somerville at Chelsea Reserve, coming from behind to nab a five point win. Somerville started off on the right foot, and looked comfortably the better side at the half time break. Somerville led by 15 going into the third term. In the third quarter Chelsea chipped the lead back, and only trailed by five heading into the final term. Somerville couldn’t stop their wave of momentum, and eventually the Seagulls escaped with a thrilling victory. Somerville kicked just one goal in a wasteful second half. The final score read Chelsea…

DIVISION ONE POWERHOUSE clubs Sorrento and Frankston YCW faced off in an epic clash on Saturday, with the Sharks just getting over the line for the win. Sorrento made the most of their opportunities in front of goal early on, and led by four points at quarter time. Despite being behind, the Stonecats had nearly double the amount of scoring opportunities. The Stonecats performed a little better in the second term, and by half time had wrestled back the lead. Both sides traded blows in a tight and tense affair. YCW had plenty of chances to get away to a…

DIVISION TWO CHELSEA have put themselves in the box seat for a finals spot this season, after they scored an important win over Seaford away from home. Both sides have enjoyed similar fortunes for the year and came into the contest with six wins to their name. With just four points separating third place from seventh place, every win is becoming crucial for sides battling for a finals spot. Chelsea ensured they would get the win with a stunning first term. They booted eight goals to Seaford’s one, putting the contest almost beyond doubt right from the get go. At…

DIVISION ONE PINES have put Sorrento through another day of misery at Frankston Park, taking all four points in a rematch of last year’s grand final. Both teams played off in one of the most thrilling grand finals in history last year, with Pines eventually claiming the win with a point after the siren. This is the first time the two sides have met since that day. Early on it looked as if things would end up close again, with the lead changing hands at each break of play. Neither side led by more than a kick at any break.…

DIVISION ONE ROSEBUD came within a whisker of succeeding in a brilliant comeback effort against Sorrento on Saturday. The contest, played on Sorrento’s home turf, see sawed throughout the first half. Rosebud went into the second half down by just three, and looked to be a good chance of getting a win. The third quarter was a Sorrento blitz, as they kicked six goals and established a 31 buffer heading into the final term. The five goal gap looked to have all but sealed their victory. The Buds were determined to not take the loss lying down though, and stormed…

DIVISION TWO CRIB Point have finally got off the mark for 2019, recording a big win over Pearcedale in front of their home crowd. Supporters at Crib Point Recreation Reserve were treated to a brilliant first half display from their side, as the Magpies piled on 11 goals to two. Pearcedale performed better in the second half but the damage was done, and the Magpies finally got their first victory for the year on the board. A stunning performance from Thomas Panich helped the Magpies win. He kicked nine goals. The final score read 18.16 (124) to 11.7 (73). At…

DIVISION ONE PINES have suffered a shock defeat for the second consecutive week after being bested by Rosebud at Olympic Oval. Looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss last week, Pines still didn’t look at their best in the first term. At the quarter time break Rosebud held a surprise eight point lead. Pines pushed back in the second quarter and took back the lead, and were up by 11 at the main break. Despite losing some momentum Rosebud refused to lie down, and with the difference standing at just one point going into the final term, the game…

DIVISION TWO A STUNNING seven goals to one opening term has helped set Tyabb up for a massive win over Pearcedale at Bunguyan Reserve. The Yabbies have been among the strugglers this year, but had a chance to get a win over another struggling side in Pearcedale. Tyabb proved they are a side with plenty of ability by putting Pearcedale to the sword, eventually running away with a 92 point win. The final score read 20.9 (129) to 4.13 (37). Matthew Ravenall booted seven goals while his teammate Michael Altenkirch also chipped in with a bag of five. Another dominant…

DIVISION ONE THE undefeated streak of Pines has come to a shock conclusion this weekend, as last year’s second division premiers Dromana secured an upset win. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Tigers got things started by kicking five goals straight in the first term. The Pythons chipped the lead back in the second term, with the lead standing at 11 points at half time. Dromana were able to kick a couple of quick goals at the start of the second half to keep Pines out of reach, and held onto that lead for the remainder of the…

DIVISION TWO A NINE goal haul from star recruit Marc Holt has helped Karingal continue their hot streak in the MPNFL. Taking on Pearcedale away from home, the Bulls worked hard from the get go and led by nearly 50 points at half time. Pearcedale never got close after the Bulls got going, and a seven goals to one final term sealed their fate. Pearcedale were put out of their misery when the final siren sounded. The final score was Pearcedale 5.8 (38) to Karingal 18.15 (123). Holt has now kicked 42 goals from seven games this season, making him…

INTERLEAGUE THE MPNFL interleague side scored a win on Saturday, mounting a good comeback against the side from the Ovens and Murray Football League. Ovens and Murray looked the better side early on, and were up by three goals at half time. The MPNFL side came out with more fire and intensity in the second half, and wrestled back the lead with a seven goals to two third term. MPNFL’s run of momentum continued into the final quarter, and they ended up running away with the victory 10.11 (71) to 16.16 (112). Shane McDonald booted six goals for the representative…

DIVISION TWO TWO games were played in the MPNFL this weekend as most of the league took time off to accommodate the interleague match. The marquee match of the weekend was at Pearcedale Recreation Reserve, as Pearcedale played host to Chelsea. Pearcedale were boosted by addition of former Essendon captain Brendon Goddard, who had signed to play in one match. Goddard was coming into the match on the back of a hand injury sustained in another league. Pearcedale have struggled in 2019 and only registered a solitary win. Unfortunately for them, even with the added boost of a former AFL…

DIVISION ONE SORRENTO have suffered their first loss for the season after going down in a shock defeat to the Frankston Bombers. The Bombers had been in shaky form to start 2019 and faced a tough challenge to defeat the Sharks. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Bombers got off to a positive start and by quarter time were up by 16 points. The Sharks bit back in the second term to close the gap to two point, but the Bombers re-established their buffer. Sorrento worked hard in the final term to whittle the margin back to six…

DIVISION TWO KARINGAL are now 7-0 to start the 2019 season, but only after suffering a massive scare against a brave Tyabb side on Saturday. Tyabb have struggled this year, only recording one win all season so far. Up against the rampaging Bulls, the Yabbies were massive underdogs. Despite the challenge facing them, Tyabb proved up for it with a massive performance. The Yabbies led all day and led by 20 points at three-quarter time, in pole position for a victory. With their backs to the walls the Bulls would need a huge last term performance to claim a comeback…

DIVISION ONE PINES have gone another game without a defeat this season, after just beating the Frankston Bombers past the post on Saturday. The Bombers proved they could be a threat to the reigning premiers with a strong first quarter. Frankston Bombers went into the first break with a 14 point advantage. Pines worked their way back into the lead by half time, but the momentum swung again in the third quarter. Heading into the final term, Pines would have to overcome a nine point deficit to keep their unbeaten start to the year intact. Despite their best efforts throughout…

DIVISION TWO CHELSEA restricted Brendan Fevola to just one goal on Saturday to secure an impressive win over Hastings at Thomas Barclay Reserve. Fevola hit the scoreboard with a goal just over a minute into the game, but failed to make an impact after that. He managed four behinds for the rest of the afternoon. Chelsea had to work hard and trailed at every break of play, but only by less than a goal. The Seagulls saved their best for last as they stormed home in the final quarter. They scored three unanswered goals to establish a buffer, which Hastings…

DIVISION ONE PINES have kept their unbeaten 2019 record intact with a big win over Bonbeach away from home. Playing against a very capable Bonbeach outfit, Pines faced some difficulties and were only three points up heading into the final term. Although the game threatened to go down to the wire, Pines put together an impressive final term to claim a comfortable win. Brendan Barfoot booted three goals for the Pythons, as his side secured victory 8.10 (58) to 13.7 (85). Trent Dennis-Lane worked hard for Bonbeach and booted three goals of his own, At David Macfarlane Reserve, Sorrento were…

DIVISION TWO THERE is plenty to smile about at Red Hill at the moment, as the Hillmen secured their second consecutive victory by over 100 points on Saturday. After pumping Crib Point last week, Red Hill looked as if they woudl face a bigger challenge this week against Hastings. The Blues had locked in star forward Brendan Fevola to make an appearance on the road to bolster their chances of a win. Despite their forward firepower, Hastings were completely overwhelmed from the get go. Red Hill went into quarter time with a 44 point lead, holding the Blues goalless. Red…

DIVISION ONE DROMANA’S impressive start to life in the first division of the MPNFL has come to an end, after they were defeated by Frankston YCW on Saturday. The Tigers so far had an unbeaten start in 2019, but were bested by the powerhouse Stonecats at John Coburn Oval. YCW were decent to start with, but Dromana stuck in and stayed within reach. The hard fought contest saw both teams struggle to hit the scoreboard, with the Tigers behind by ten points at half time. After the main break YCW broke the game apart, getting the upper hand with a…

DIVISION TWO BRENDAN Fevola ran out for his MPNFL debut on Saturday in front of a big home crowd at Hastings. The Blues took on Devon Meadows, who were looking to spoil the occasion. Devon Meadows started well and led at quarter time, but were eventually made to pay for inaccurate kicking. Coleman medallist Fevola was getting plenty of the footy for the Blues, and ended up kicking five goals for the game. Had he been more accurate in front of goal, it would have been a lot more. Both sides struggled to convert on their chances, but eventually it…

DIVISION ONE SORRENTO have edged out Mt Eliza in a thriller at David Macfarlane Reserve to back up their impressive victory over the Stonecats last week. The Sharks were once again made to fight back from behind, after a five goal to zero second term had the Redlegs 29 points up at the main break. After not making much progress chipping away the deficit in the third term, Sorrento required a massive final quarter to win. A six goals to zip surge in the last quarter saw the Sharks drag themselves over the line in a hard fought 11.13 (79)…

DIVISION TWO TYABB brought out the big guns on Saturday with AFL premiership winning forward Travis Cloke running out for a one-off appearance, but their Somerville opponents were out to spoil the party. For the Yabbies it was a day of wasted chances, as they struggled to hit the scoreboard and convert their opportunities into goals. Somerville flexed their own forward line muscles away from home, with Paul Fermanis and Ryan Gillis both booting four. Despite the help from their former Collingwood star, Tyabb fell to defeat 11.16 (82) to 14.18 (102). Cloke kicked two for the day. Karingal’s superstar…

DIVISION ONE SORRENTO have taken their first steps towards retribution for last year’s devastating grand final loss, as they defeated the Stonecats to kick start their 2019 campaign. Frankston YCW looked electrifying in the first quarter, as they shocked Sorrento with a seven goals to one start. Staring at a 40 point deficit in the face, the Sharks had a mountain to climb to get back into the contest. The Sharks chipped away and by three quarter time they held an 11 point lead. The clash between the two MPNFL heavyweights was a tough one, but in the end Sorrento…

DIVISION TWO A ONE point thriller between Somerville and Seaford was the highlight of the weekend as MPNFL football returned for round one. After dropping down from the first division last year, Seaford were looking to make amends and stamp their influence on the league early. They kicked seven goals in the first term and held a comfortable 31 point lead at the main break. Somerville chipped the Tigers back a bit before the final term, with the margin standing at 13 at three-quarter time. Despite a nine goals to four second half, Seaford were able to hold on by…

DIVISION TWO MPNFL football is underway for 2019 after Rye and Pearcedale kicked off the season with a thriller. The division two season opener saw Rye face off against Pearcedale in difficult conditions at RJ Rowley Reserve on Saturday. Rye got off to a brilliant start in front of their home crowd, skipping away to a two goal lead going into quarter time. The second quarter saw momentum swing Pearcedale’s way, but they could not capitalise. In the windy conditions they kicked 0.5 for the quarter. The Demons put just one behind on the scoreboard in the second quarter, which…

DIVISION ONE DIVISION One football will kick off on Saturday in the MPNFL, with a clash of the titans between Frankston YCW and Sorrento the headline act. The two powerhouses will do battle at John Coburn Oval, with the Stonecats looking to make amends for a 2018 season that ended in unexpected disappointment. YCW were ravaged by injuries last season, and will welcome the chance to start afresh. For Sorrento, they will be looking to bounce back after suffering the most devastating of losses against Pines in last year’s grand final. When the final sinal blew in the final game…

THE Future Health Hub partnership between Peninsula Health and Monash University has received a shot in the arm from the federal government, with Dunkley MP Chris Crewther and Health Minister Greg Hunt jointly announcing $32 million for the aged care and mental health project. The budget boost for the partnership was announced alongside a $10 million injection into the paediatric emergency centre at Frankston Hospital. The Health Futures Hub project has received bipartisan support from both major federal parties. Mr Hunt said “this funding will help deliver new research and treatment programs for our elderly and those with addiction and…

PENINSULA BADEN Powell are champions of the Peninsula division of MPCA cricket after defeating Main Ridge at Pearcedale Rec Reserve last weekend. On day one Main Ridge chose to bat first, and would have done very poorly if not for some brilliant individual performances from two batsmen. A spectacular innings of 94 runs from Daniel Polson was vital for his side. Another well taken 62 from Shaun Foster also looked as if it would be a huge help. Main Ridge ended up at 9/204 at the end of play on day one. Play restarted on Sunday for day two and…