Author: Brodie Cowburn

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEROSEBUD came close to pulling off an upset against Dromana last weekend, but fell just short.Dromana has lost just twice this season, and sits on top of the ladder. Rosebud came into the game with seven wins and five losses.Rosebud landed a huge blow in the first quarter, and went into the first break with a 24 point lead. They scored five consecutive goals to start the match. Dromana woke up in the second quarter, and hit back with four goals of their own. At the main break the Tigers trailed Rosebud by just three points. Rosebud…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV TWOEDITHVALE-Aspendale is now two games clear on top of the ladder after picking up a big win over fellow premiership contenders Chelsea. Edi-Asp came into the match against Chelsea last Saturday with just one loss to their name for the 2024 season. Chelsea had only lost twice all year. Edi-Asp established control of the game early, and never gave it up. They went into the first break ahead by three goals, then stretched their lead to four goals by half-time.It was more of the same in the second half as Edithvale-Aspendale continued to pile on the pressure.…

MOURNERS gathered at Frankston Pier last weekend to remember the life of Andres Pancha. Pancha was a 45-year-old father of three from Cranbourne West. He was allegedly killed while fishing at Frankston Pier on the morning of 29 June. A man has since been charged with his murder. A large crowd visited Frankston Pier at sunrise on Saturday, 6 July, to take part in a vigil commemorating Pancha. A Gofundme to assist Pancha’s family has raised more than $22,000 so far. The fundraiser organisers wrote “this unimaginable act has left our family devastated and in profound grief. Andres was a…

MEN’S DIV ONEPINES have pulled off one of the upsets of the season by beating ladder leaders Dromana. Pines came into the game with just three wins to their name for the 2024 season. Dromana have fared much better – they had lost just once heading into the clash at Dromana Recreation Reserve on Saturday. Pines put on a defensive masterclass amid difficult weather conditions. They kept Dromana to just one goal in the first half.Dromana hit back in the second half, and drew level in the dying stages of the game. Pines proved up for the challenge of holding…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEDROMANA emerged victorious from their top-of-the-table clash against Mt Eliza last weekend. The ladder-leading Tigers travelled to Emil Madsen Reserve to take on second-placed Mt Eliza on Saturday. The Redlegs kicked out to an early lead, and were on top throughout the first half. At the main break, Mt Eliza led by 10 points.Dromana booted five goals in the third term to kick their way back into contention. They went four points ahead in the third term, and managed to hold on for the win. A late goal helped Dromana seal an 8.7 (55) to 9.14 (68)…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEMORNINGTON scored a vital win over Pines last weekend. The Bulldogs looked refreshed on Saturday after a week off. They raced out to a four goal lead by half-time. A five-goals-to-zero third term put Pines back in the hunt. The Pythons trailed by just one point heading into the final quarter. Mornington held their nerve to secure the win. They scored the first three goals of the term, and went on to grab a 12.15 (87) to 9.16 (70) victory.Matthew Caine scored four important goals for the Bulldogs. Mitchell Bluhn and Ryan Falvo were also named among…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEFRANKSTON YCW picked up a huge win over rival Pines last weekend. Just three senior games were played across the MPFNL over the Kings’ Birthday long weekend. The Stonecats’ clash with Pines was a catch-up game from round six.Eric Bell Reserve hosted the match on Saturday. After a tight first half, Frankston YCW led by eight points at half-time.A dominant third quarter put the result beyond doubt. Frankston YCW piled on six goals and managed to hold Pines to just two behinds. They opened up a 46 point lead, which proved too much to overcome.Pines had a…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEPINES and Mt Eliza shared the points after a thrilling final quarter at Eric Bell Reserve last weekend. The Pythons and Redlegs traded blows in a close first half. Mt Eliza took a seven point lead into half-time, which stretched into 20 points at the three-quarter-time break. Pines pushed hard in the final quarter to get back in contention. They chipped away at the lead, and found themselves within striking distance with just minutes left on the clock. The Pythons managed to hit the front with a late goal but the lead didn’t last long. Mt Eliza…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONE ROSEBUD picked up an important win last weekend over Red Hill. Rosebud has had a tough start to season 2024, spending the year near the bottom of the ladder. A win at Red Hill Recreation Reserve on Saturday would put them a game ahead of their rivals at the tail-end. It was a dominant first half for Rosebud. They scored ten goals to four to take a comfortable lead into the half-time break. Red Hill mounted a comeback in the second half. They managed to hold Rosebud goalless in the final term, but couldn’t quite do…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEMORNINGTON and Sorrento shared the points on Saturday after a frantic final quarter comeback by the Bulldogs.Alexandra Park hosted the match last weekend. It was tight all day long, with less than a goal separating the two sides at the half-time and three-quarter-time breaks. Sorrento took control of the match after the final break, and raced out to a 20-point lead. Mornington had to work hard to get back into the contest, but they proved up for the fight. Three goals in the final six minutes saw Mornington draw level with Sorrento. In the end it finished…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONELADDER leaders Dromana fired a warning shot to the rest of the competition by thumping Sorrento at David Macfarlane Reserve on Saturday. Dromana flexed their muscle early with a stunning seven-goals-to-zero opening term. Sorrento weren’t able to recover from their slow start. After a tighter second quarter, Dromana put their foot back on the gas in the second half. They ran out 87 point winners 7.7 (49) to 20.16 (136). Sam Fowler was best-on-ground. He scored six goals to help guide his team to victory. Ethan Johnstone booted four goals. The win leaves Dromana a game clear…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONESORRENTO won a thriller against Mt Eliza last weekend to improve their record to 4-1. The Sharks travelled to Emil Madsen Reserve to take on the Redlegs. The two sides were equally matched all day, with the lead standing at just 11 points Sorrento’s way at three-quarter-time.After a tense final term, Sorrento managed to drag themselves over the line. Some accurate goalkicking helped them wrap up a 13.15 (93) to 15.5 (95) win. Leigh Poholke scored four goals for Sorrento. James Brigden, Nicholas Jamieson, James Hallahan, Myles Poholke, and Dylan Clarke were named in their best.Sorrento have…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEMT Eliza picked up a big win over Mornington on ANZAC Day last week. Alexandra Park hosted the ANZAC Day match on Thursday. After a close opening quarter, the Redlegs entered the first break with a 14-point lead. They put their foot on the accelerator in the second term and took a 33-point lead into half-time. Mt Eliza continued to extend their lead as the game went on. They eventually claimed a dominant 81 point victory 7.10 (52) to 19.19 (133). The win put Mt Eliza top of the ladder. They are equal on points with four…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONERED Hill came from behind to beat Sorrento in a thriller on Saturday. Sorrento grabbed control of the game early with five goals in the opening quarter on their home turf. They held onto the lead all day, but Red Hill kept themselves in touching distance. In the final term, the Hillmen made their move. A three-goals-to-one last quarter saw Red Hill sneak ahead and grab a thrilling one-point win.Sorrento fell to Red Hill 11.14 (80) to 11.15 (81). Dylan Atkins, Michael Griechen, and Harry Wynn-Pope were named among Red Hill’s best, and Oliver Jackson booted four…

MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONESORRENTO came from behind to pip Frankston YCW in a thriller last weekend. Sorrento hosted the Stonecats at David Macfarlane Reserve. Frankston YCW were the better side early on, and took a three-goal lead into the first break. Sorrento managed to chip the lead back to two points at half-time, but were still trailing by the final break. The Stonecats went into the final quarter ahead by 13 points.Sorrento stormed home to claim a nail-biting four point win. They held the Stonecats to just one goal in the final term. Sorrento beat Frankston YCW 11.12 (78) to…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE FRANKSTON YCW has fired a warning shot to the rest of the competition with a big opening round win over Mt Eliza.The Stonecats controlled the game from the outset. They took a five goal lead into the first break, and didn’t let the Redlegs get back into the contest.Frankston YCW went home with a comfortable 45-point win 6.10 (46) to 13.13 (91).Luca Goonan, Lane Meyer, and Darcy Murr were among the Stonecats’ best. Brenton Lambert and Joshua Patullo scored two goals each.Frankston Bombers pipped Langwarrin to open their season with a win last Saturday.Both sides suffered from…

DIVISION ONE FOOTY kicked off on Good Friday with reigning premiers, Dromana, heading to Red Hill. Red Hill ended the 2023 season in seventh place, so looked to be no challenge for the Tigers, but came out blazing in the first quarter. Red Hill kicked 4.1 to just three points by Dromana to take a 22-point lead into quarter time. It was wake up time for Dromana, and they came out firing in the second quarter slotting five majors and keeping Red Hill to a solitary goal, slipping to a three-point lead at the main break.It was the same again…

PROVINCIAL RED Hill smashed Pines last week to claim the MPCA Provincial division premiership.Pat Rollo Reserve hosted the Grand Final last Saturday and Sunday. Red Hill batted first on day one, and put 172 runs on the board. Simon Dart top scored with 55 runs before he was given out for obstructing the field.Pines’ run chase on day two was disastrous. They were bowled out for just 70 runs, handing Red Hill the title.Pines started their innings poorly, falling to 3/10 early. At 8/35 their innings was truly doomed. Harley Peace-Stirling scored 47 of his side’s final total. Chris Dew…

PROVINCIAL PINES and Red Hill have booked their spots in the 2024 MPCA Provincial Grand Final.Pines took on Sorrento in a two-day semi-final across last Saturday and Sunday. They had an excellent day one, putting 313 runs on the board and giving Sorrento a tough target to chase down. Declan Jackson top scored for Pines with 65.Sorrento’s run chase was over before it got started. They lost their first three wickets for just five runs, and never recovered. Sebastian Gotch got his side back on track with a half-century, but his efforts weren’t enough. Sorrento was bowled out for 115,…

PROVINCIAL RED Hill picked up a thrilling win over Langwarrin to finish their home-and-away season on a high last Saturday. Langwarrin batted first on their home deck. They had to battle through a nightmare opening session – the Kangaroos lost 5/34 at the start of their innings. Red Hill’s Glenn Collett ran riot on the top order. A late knock of 44 from 29 deliveries by Leigh Paterson helped Langwarrin put a respectable total on the board. They ended up all out for 147.Red Hill suffered a similar fate early in their innings too, losing both openers for ducks off…

PROVINCIALRED Hill picked up a thrilling win over Long Island during the final over of play last Saturday.Long Island scored 229 on day one of the match. Red Hill’s run chase got off to a good start – opener Luke Jackson led from the front with a half-century.The rest of Red Hill’s batters made decent starts, but couldn’t convert their scores into big totals. Some good bowling by Matt Shimmell helped to stop Red Hill’s momentum. An unbeaten knock of 27 by James O’Connell with his side eight wickets down won the game for Red Hill. They got over the…

LABOR candidate Jodie Belyea has won the Dunkley by-election.With nearly 75 per cent of the vote counted, Labor leads the Liberals on the two-party-preferred count by 2.7 per cent. There has been a 3.6 per cent swing towards the Liberals compared to the 2022 federal election result, which is not enough to win the seat.Jodie Belyea is the founder of the Women’s Spirit Project, an organisation supporting women affected by poverty, violence, and other issues. She has also worked with the MEGT Foundation. Belyea was recruited into the Labor Party by former Dunkley MP Peta Murphy.The by-election was triggered by…

THE Peninsula Community Legal Centre in Frankston says it will have to cut some of its free services if its government funding doesn’t increase. The PCLC offers free legal services and advice to people across many areas, including housing, family arrangements, employment, health, finances, and personal safety. PCLC CEO Jackie Galloway says that the centre is helping more people than ever in the midst of the cost of living crisis, and that increased funding is badly needed. “With so many struggling with the cost of living and housing crises, we are seeing an unprecedented number of people who are buckling…

CRICKET WOMENS BALNARRING are the champions of the MPCA Women’s division. Emil Madsen Reserve hosted Balnarring and Rye on 18 February for the women’s Grand Final. Balnarring was sent in to bat first. Opener Jemma Reynolds got her side off to a good start. She scored 39 runs before being stumped. Her opening partner Catherine Donlon scored 25. Balnarring went on to score 125 from 30 overs. Some excellent bowling wrapped up the win and the trophy for Balnarring. Rye was bowled out for just 66 runs. Kayla Turner was her side’s best bowler – she posted final figures of…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL LONG Island held on for a thrilling win over Sorrento last Saturday. Long Island scored 272 runs on day one, giving the Sharks a tough task to tackle on day two. After a few early struggles, middle order batter Matthew Rulach took control of the game. Rulach smashed 103 runs from 151 balls for the Sharks to keep them in the contest. Jake Wood’s late half-century also kept them in the hunt. The game ended up going down to the final over. With one run required to draw level with four balls left to face, Sorrento lost their…

EARLY voting has begun in the Dunkley by-election. Polling day for the by-election is on 2 March with eight candidates on the ballot – in ballot order they are Nathan Conroy (Liberal), Bronwyn Currie (Animal Justice), Chrysten Abraham (Libertarian), Reem Yunis (Victorian Socialists), Darren Bergwerf (Independent), Alex Breskin (Greens), Heath McKenzie (Australian Democrats), and Jodie Belyea (Labor). Early voting centres have been set up at Lyrebird Community Centre in Carrum Downs, Functions by the Bay in Frankston, and 1st Ranelagh Scout Group in Mount Eliza. They are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays (6pm on 1 March), and from…

CRICKET WOMENS BALNARRING and Rye will face off in the MPCA Womens Grand Final this weekend. Balnarring hosted Tooradin in the semi-final on Sunday. Balnarring batted first and put a huge total on the scoreboard. An unbeaten century from Jemma Reynolds helped Balnarring reach a final total of 3/207. Tooradin batted well but couldn’t maintain the run rate needed to win. They finished up at 5/132 after their 30 overs. Rye and Somerville went down to the wire on Sunday in the other semi-final. Rye batted first last weekend. They set Somerville a target of 106 to score to win.…

EIGHT candidates will contest the Saturday 2 March Dunkley by-election to replace former Labor MP Peta Murphy who died from cancer in December. Women’s Spirit Project founder Jodie Belyea is standing for Labor while the Liberals have chosen Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy. Alex Breskin is the Greens’ candidate. The Greens returned a first preference vote of more than 10 per cent at the 2022 federal. Chrysten Abraham is running for the Libertarian Party, Heath McKenzie for the Australian Democrats, Bronwyn Currie for the Animal Justice Party, and Reem Yunis for the Victorian Socialists. After failed tilts for both Dunkley and…

CRICKET WOMENS DELACOMBE Park closed their season with a thrilling win over Mt Eliza. Mt Eliza scored 123 runs from their 30 overs. Ingrid Harvey top scored with 38 not out. The wickets were shared evenly among the Delacombe Park bowlers. They would have to bat well to chase down their target and grab a win. A brilliant 38 run ninth-wicket partnership between Trish Hawkins and Melissa Newham won the game for Delacombe Park. They hit the winning runs with an over and two wickets to spare. Hawkins, who returned to the game after the scorching weather forced her from…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL A MATCH-winning century from Simon Dart proved the difference as Red Hill wrapped up a thrilling final over victory last weekend. Red Hill played Baden Powell at Red Hill Recreation Reserve in one-day cricket. The visitors were sent in to bat first, and put 215 runs on the board. A knock of 91 from 88 deliveries by Rhys Elmi was the highlight of Baden Powell’s innings. Opener Travis Kellerman also scored 66 from 87 before being dismissed by Dart. After Red Hill fell to 2/33, Simon Dart came in and dominated. He scored an unbeaten 106 at a…