Author: Brodie Cowburn

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…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE RED Hill picked up a thrilling upset win over Frankston YCW on Saturday. The Hillmen hosted the second-placed Stonecats at Red Hill Recreation Reserve. They desperately needed a win to remain in finals contention. The Stonecats were in control throughout most of the day. After a dominant third term Frankston YCW looked on track to win, leading by six goals at the final break of play. A six-goals-to-zero final term sealed the Stonecats’ fate. The Hillmen bravely surged home, and ended up getting the win by a point. Red Hill claimed the narrowest of come-from-behind victories 9.7…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE FRANKSTON YCW has a secure hold on second place after a good win over Pines on Saturday. Both sides came into the game equal on 40 points for the season, although YCW have a big percentage advantage. Pines hosted the heavyweight clash at Eric Bell Reserve. Pines looked the better side during the first half. The Pythons took a 17 point lead into the half-time break. The Stonecats played much better in the second half. They piled on six goals in the third quarter to take the lead, then kicked away in the final quarter. Frankston YCW…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE DROMANA have preserved their winning streak by the narrowest of margins. Ladder leaders Dromana travelled to take on second-place Frankston YCW on Saturday. Both sides have been excellent this year, and loom as likely Grand Final contenders. Goals were hard to come by at John Coburn Oval. Just five majors were kicked in the first half, with Dromana heading into the main break ahead by 11 points. The game opened up a little more in the third term. At the final break Dromana led by one point, with the Stonecats breathing down their neck. Goals dried up…

MPNFL DIVISION TWO A HUGE first versus second clash took place at Karingal last weekend. Ladder leaders Karingal hosted Mornington in what could be a Grand Final preview. The Bulls were looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, and Mornington were looking to prove their premiership credentials. A goalless first quarter put Karingal on the back foot early. They weren’t able to recover from their poor start. Mornington led by 13 at half-time, then stretched their lead to 31 by the final break. Karingal made a late charge in the final term, but they weren’t able…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE PINES picked up an important win over Sorrento last Saturday. The Pythons hosted the Sharks at Eric Bell Reserve. The match marked the return of star forward Aaron Edwards, who returned to Pines after a stint with St Kilda City. He transferred to Pines alongside Brownlow medalist Dane Swan, who debuted the week prior. After a tight first quarter, Sorrento took control of the game heading into half time. The visitors led by 15 points at the main break. Sorrento were ahead by nine points heading into the final term, but the Pythons proved too strong. Pines…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE A HUGE crowd turned out to watch Brownlow medalist Dane Swan debut for Pines on Saturday. Swan, a premiership player with Collingwood at AFL level, signed for Pines during the week. He had previously been playing for St Kilda City in the Southern Football League. It was a big celebration for Pines, who hosted Frankston Bombers on Saturday. The Pythons went ahead by four goals in the opening term, and never looked back. Three final-quarter goals from Swan was the cherry on top of an excellent afternoon for the Pythons. Pines defeated the Bombers 14.15 (99) to…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE FRANKSTON Bombers picked up a narrow win over Bonbeach on Saturday. Bonbeach has been struggling this year. They have picked up just one win for the season, but have played better football in recent weeks. The Bombers have their sights set on finals, and came into the match as strong favourites. Bonbeach came out swinging, and went into the quarter-time break ahead by five points. The Bombers hit back in the second quarter, and led by four at half-time. After another close quarter, Bonbeach took back a two point lead heading into the final term. Despite some…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE SORRENTO have bounced back from a crushing loss to take the points from Rosebud. The Sharks were looking to rebound on Saturday after a 122-point drubbing at the hands of Dromana the weekend prior. Rosebud suffered a 126-point loss of their own that day, meaning both sides had a lot to prove. Sorrento and Rosebud played at Olympic Park on Saturday. After a tight opening half, Rosebud went into the main break ahead by eight points. An eight-goal third term put Sorrento in the box seat. They turned an eight point deficit into a 26 point lead…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE PINES survived a scare to defeat Bonbeach last Saturday. Bonbeach came into the match with just one win to their name this season. They proved up to the task in front of their home crowd, and went into the half-time break with a five point lead over the Pythons. Pines took back the lead heading into the final term. The Pythons failed to score a goal in the last quarter, but still held on for a narrow two-point win 7.11 (53) to 7.13 (55). Shane Savage was instrumental for Pines. He scored four goals in what was…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE BONBEACH got the better of Sorrento in a shootout last Saturday. David Macfarlane Reserve hosted the battle of the Sharks. Sorrento raced out to an early lead at home, but by half-time Bonbeach led by a goal. Sorrento gained the lead back in the third term. They were ahead by 14 points at three-quarter-time. Sorrento’s excellent kicking kept them in a good position. At three-quarter-time they had kicked 12.1. Eleven goals were kicked during the thrilling final term. It was Bonbeach who emerged victorious. Bonbeach defeated Sorrento 16.4 (100) to 16.12 (108). Leigh Poholke booted six goals…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE IT was a happy homecoming for former Mt Eliza junior Nathan Jones on Saturday. The former Melbourne Demons captain ran out for his first senior game for his junior club last weekend. Mt Eliza played Sorrento at Emil Madsen Reserve. Mt Eliza were in control all day long. At half-time they led by 32, and had restricted Sorrento to just three goals. The Redlegs went on to claim a comfortable 15.20 (110) to 6.7 (43) win. Jones booted two goals for the afternoon. He was joined in the best by Finlay Bayne and Declan Cole. Undefeated ladder…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE REIGNING premiers Frankston YCW have returned to the winner’s circle with a hard-fought victory over Red Hill. The Stonecats were looking to bounce back after a surprising defeat the week prior. Red Hill looked their equal though, and at half time the Hillmen were ahead. Frankston YCW established control in the third term, and took a seven point lead into the last quarter. The Stonecats wrapped up the win with a four goals to two last quarter. The final score read Frankston YCW 12.13 (85) to Red Hill 9.8 (62). Luke Paynter and Luca Goonan were excellent…

THE proposed extension of the Frankston line to Baxter is in serious doubt, with $225 million in federal funding for the project on the chopping block. The Liberal federal government committed $225 million towards the extension of the Frankston line in 2018. Since then the project has laid dormant, and no other level of government has contributed cash towards it. While releasing its first budget last Tuesday, the Labor federal government confirmed that an independent review into all Infrastructure Investment Program projects not yet under construction will be undertaken. The Times has confirmed that the Frankston line extension is one…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE PINES picked up a hard-fought win over the reigning premiers last Saturday. Incumbent champions Frankston YCW hosted Pines at John Coburn Oval. The home side raced out of the gates with a four goals to two first term, and led by 16 at quarter-time. Pines stayed within reach of YCW. At three-quarter-time the Pythons trailed by five, but they were ready to strike. Pines ran over the top of the Stonecats. A six goals to one final term secured them the win. The Pythons bested Frankston YCW 9.7 (61) to 14.5 (89). Alex Spencer top scored with…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE IT was the battle for the top spot on the Division One ladder on Saturday with last year’s Grand Final winners, Frankston YCW, facing the rampaging and unbeaten Dromana Tigers. From the outset Dromana had the upper hand with six scoring shots to three in the first quarter putting them eight points up at the first break. The Stonecats came back in the second quarter to try and right the wrong, and ground back to be just two points down at the main break. Frankston YCW continued the grind in the third quarter and managed to get…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE AFTER coming off a win against Red Hill last week, Rosebud faced Dromana at home on Saturday. It was never going to be their day, with Dromana quick out of the blocks, slotting 3.3 to four single points for Rosebud by quarter time. Dromana went hard in the second quarter, piling on another seven goals to Rosebud’s solitary major to be 53 points up at the main break. It was pedestrian for Dromana from then on, maintaining the margin through to the final siren with a 60-point win 14.9 to 4.9. Red Hill have yet to notch…

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…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE AFTER a split round to kick off 2023, there were just two games this weekend in Division One. It was a home ground advantage for Dromana in their Good Friday clash with Red Hill and they wasted no time in getting some serious scoring on the board. It was an onslaught in the first quarter with seven scoring shots to one in favour of the Tigers, with the quarter time scoreboard reading 5.2 to Red Hill’s single goal. The second quarter was an entire turnaround, with Red Hill controlling the play while slamming on three goals and…

MPNFL DIVISION ONE LANGWARRIN received a harsh introduction to the top division last Saturday. Division one premiers Frankston YCW played Langwarrin at Lloyd Park. Langwarrin went all of 2022 without defeat, but faced a significant challenge in the Stonecats in their 2023 season opener. Frankston YCW put Langwarrin to the sword. The Kangaroos only kicked five goals all day, and were defeated 5.7 (37) to 14.13 (97). Josh Patullo and Christian Tsiampas both kicked four goals for the Stonecats. Luca Goonan also impressed. Some poor goalkicking saved Pines from a huge defeat against Mt Eliza last Saturday. Mt Eliza led…

MPNFL FOOTBALL returns to the Mornington Peninsula this weekend, with a few changes. The former Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League has undergone a name change. The 2023 Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League begins on Saturday, 1 April. One thing that remains unchanged is the eagerness of the footballers to get the season underway. Three seniors division one matches will take place on 1 April. It will be a battle of the 2022 premiers on Saturday as reigning division one champions Frankston YCW take on division two premiers Langwarrin. It was a dream 2022 for Langwarrin, who went the whole season…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL OLD Peninsula were crowned premiers on Sunday. Old Peninsula claimed the crown after a convincing win over Langwarrin. The sides played a two-day match at Peninsula Grammar School last Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, Old Peninsula got the match started by choosing to bat first. They stayed at the crease for nearly the entire day, eventually being bowled out for 186 just before stumps. A patient 41 from 122 deliveries by Thomas La Brooy steadied things for Old Peninsula when the game looked like it might be getting away from them. He top scored for his side. On…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL LANGWARIN booked their spot in the Grand Final with a win over Baden Powell last weekend. Langwarrin and Baden Powell played at Lloyd Park last Saturday and Sunday. Langwarrin batted on Saturday, and put a big score on the board. At the end of day one, Langwarrin finished on 8/232. Opener Ian Cockbain smashed 91 runs. Baden Powell got off to a shaky start on Sunday, and couldn’t recover. They lost both openers for small totals, and at 5/54 the game was out of their reach. Baden Powell was bowled out for 170, 62 runs short of their…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL PINES locked up a top four spot with a thrilling win over Sorrento on Saturday. A finals spot was on the line at David Macfarlane Reserve. Pines was sent in to bat first, and nearly let the game slip. Pines was bowled out for just 113 runs. A disastrous collapse saw them lose 6/15 to close out their innings. Liam O’Connor did the damage late. He took 3/6 from 3 overs. Sorrento had victory in their sights, but couldn’t get the job done. They also suffered from a brutal collapse late in their innings. The chasing side was…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL LANGWARRIN picked up a good win over Sorrento on Saturday. On day two, Langwarrin were chasing a total of 225. Their openers made a dent in the target, but it was number four batter Chris Brittain who did the most damage. Brittain smashed 74 runs from 125 deliveries. His innings helped guide Langwarrin to a five wicket win with three overs left to play. At Ballam Park East, Old Peninsula defended a total of 219 against Long Island. Old Peninsula bowler John Forrest did the hard work. He bowled throughout the whole day, his efforts keeping Long Island…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL AN unbeaten knock of 81 from James O’Connell helped Red Hill to a good total on Saturday. Red Hill are playing Baxter in a two-day match. Red Hill batted on day one, going on to score 8/246 before stumps. Red Hill’s batters struggled to capitalise on good starts in the early part of the day. O’Connell stamped his authority on the match batting at number six – he scored 81 from 148 deliveries. Pines were bowled out by Baden Powell on day one of their two-day match at Pat Rollo Reserve. Pines lost the toss and were sent…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL AN unbeaten century from opener Corey Harris has guided Sorrento to a victory. Sorrento was chasing Long Island’s total of 161 on day two of their match at David Macfarlane Reserve. Led by Harris, Sorrento reached their target comfortably. Harris scored 110 from 200 deliveries. He spent nearly five hours at the crease, and hit 18 boundaries in that time. Sorrento passed their target with seven wickets to spare. Baxter batter Daniel Warwick also scored a century this Saturday, but his efforts weren’t enough to get his side over the line. Baxter played Pines at Baxter Park. Pines…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL PINES are in pole position to defeat Baxter. Baxter Park hosted day one of the two-day clash between Baxter and Pines. Pines batted first, and had an excellent time at the crease. Harley Peace-Stirling was Pines’ best. He blasted 108 runs from 138 balls, including 14 fours. Jack Peace-Stirling contributed 80 runs to the scoreboard. Declan Jackson also scored a half century. Pines finished the day with a huge total of 7/336. Baxter has a lot of work to do to avoid a loss. Ladder leaders Old Peninsula are staring down the barrel of defeat. They were bowled…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL OLD Peninsula fell just short of their target against Sorrento in a high scoring one-day thriller last Saturday. Sorrento batted first, and put 213 runs on the bord. Opener Corey Harris top scored with 51 runs. Old Peninsula struggled early during their run chase, falling to 2/16. Wade Pelzer came in at number three and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. Pelzer put on a brilliant display. He smashed 112 runs before being caught out. Unfortunately for Pelzer, he didn’t get much support from his teammates. Wickets fell around him for most of the afternoon.…

CRICKET PROVINCIAL LONG Island took out the win in a thriller against Baxter on Saturday. Coming into day two of their match, Long Island was defending a total of 298. Baxter’s first wicket fell early, but they soon got things back on track. First drop batter Mitchell Harvey contributed 45 runs to the run chase. Middle order batter Dananjaya Fernando scored 59. Baxter chipped away at their target, but Long Island kept on the pressure. At 8/222 it looked like Long Island would get over the line fairly comfortably. A spirited showing from the tail end nearly won the game…