Stonecats still the team to beat PENINSULA LEAGUE
By Toe Punt JUST when everyone thought that the 2017 Peninsula Division premiership race was wide open, Frankston YCW came out on Saturday and once again highlighted that it is still the team to beat. The Stonecats haven’t been playing the greatest of football in 2017 despite winning games of footy and being equal top of the ladder. However, on Saturday, with an armoury of VFL, yet local talent, the Stonecats were able to put the new kids on the block in Seaford to the sword. Just two weeks early, the Tigers were right in the game against Pines, however, on Saturday, they were no match for the more experienced Stonecats. The general feeling amongst the YCW camp was that they would continue to make improvements throughout
the year under new coach Wayne Capp, who has brought some new styles and tactics to the game plan in 2017. On Saturday, with VFL talent including Anthony Barry, Anthony Bruhn, Matt LaFontaine, Jake Lovett, Lachy Wallace and Jake Di Pasquale, the Stonecats were at their very best. One thing that does mean a lot to Frankston YCW Football Club is their people and milestone games – they always find something extra. On Saturday, the incredibly underrated Jai Coghlan played his 200th game. It wasn’t just the ‘stars’ that shone for the Stonecats though. Josh Butland booted five majors, Matt Debenham is back to his best, Luke Paynter is a star and Macklan Raine is quickly becoming a dominant force in this competition. The Tigers just couldn’t match the visitors, despite the efforts of Aaron Walton and Dean Rayson with three majors each and the fine performances of Ben
and Dylan Howlett. The Stonecats should have won by a lot more, considering it had 38 scoring shots to 16, 17.21 (123) to 11.5 (71). MT ELIZA also put its hand up and announced that it is not a spent force in the premiership race, leading for most of the afternoon to beat PINES 11.11 (77) to 10.9 (69) at Eric Bell Reserve. The Redlegs have been whacked with the unlucky stick this season, copping bad injuries to some of its best young talent, as well as injuries to its key players. Before the match, Mt Eliza coach Troy Shannon said there were a number of reasons that his side was playing inconsistent footy. “If I could tell you what the single issue is, we’d be able to work our way out of it,” Shannon said. “The reality is that there are a combination of things not going quite right at the minute and we need to work through
and around it. “We were in a similar position last year though and came through it all right, so I’m confident we can do the same again,” Shannon said. Well, it may have started on Saturday with James Anwyl dominating, Aaron Dunne dominating with two goals and Karl Lombardozzi at his best. Aaron Edwards kicked six for the Pythons and Tim Bongetti three, however, there was very little additional contribution. In Beau Hendry’s 200th game, Pines coach Pat Swayne said after the match “the best team on the day won the game”. LANGWARRIN has lost nine straight games, belted by EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE to the tune of eight goals, 17.12 (114) to 9.11 (65). Mark Meehan booted four for the winners and Aaron Macguire and Timmy Mannix were superb.
MORNINGTON has kept its season alive, overcoming a slow start to beat CHELSEA 12.13 (85) to 11.4 (70). Emilio Bitters and Joel Miller were outstanding for the Dogs while Peter McGettigan booted three goals. Grant Trew was named Chelsea’s best while Curtis Bywater booted three goals. BONBEACH had 10 goal kickers in its massive 22.14 (146) to 5.5 (35) win over KARINGAL. Trent Dennis-Lane added five goals to his nine last week while Dylan Jones spend some more time forward and finished with three goals, along with Owen Hulett, Shane McDonald and Beau Bailey. Mark Tyrell was also back and dominated. Jake Kelly, Nathan McDonald in his first game, Grant Paxton and Michael Burke were the best of the Bulls.
Bombers need to improve for flag tilt NEPEAN LEAGUE
By Toe Punt FRANKSTON Bombers will need to improve considerably if it is to go one step better in 2017, despite getting over the line against Rosebud at Greg Beck Oval on Saturday. The Bombers were beaten all over the ground for the large majority of the afternoon, however, in a really tight contest, a couple of dubious umpiring decisions early in the last quarter swung momentum Frankston’s way and it was able to record a 10.9.69 to 7.14 (56) victory. Rosebud led at every change and by as much as nine points late in the third quarter, however, it did cost itself dearly also with inaccuracy in front of goal. For a 20-minute period in the second quarter, Rosebud completely dominated the contest, however, four behinds, two out of bounds on the full and one that trickled over the boundary line cost them a match-winning lead at the major interval. Matters weren’t helped for Rosebud when star forward Keegan Downie went down with what appeared to be a broken ankle in the first quarter.
Frankston often have a ‘targeted’ player for the opposition each week and clearly, on Saturday it was Sean Downie – he received a lot of attention, not all of it within the spirit of the game. He was wrapped in ice from head to toe after the game. Rosebud has been inaccurate in front of goal all season and it was only a matter of time before it caught up with them. On Saturday, even if they converted three of those seven second-quarter chances, it would have been enough to win them the game. It was a tight contest and a four-goal break was always going to be enough to win. Frankston just wasn’t playing good enough footy to come back from that and frustrations flared as a result. Frankston was unaccountable in defence and the forward lacked firepower. The only player that looked dangerous at any time was Sam Fox, however, he managed just one goal. In Frankston’s defence though, it did go into the game without Michael Maiorino, Scott Foster, James Degenhardt, Allan Williams and Josh Chapman. Bombers coach Beau Muston conceded on the RPP Footy Show on Satur-
day morning that his forward structure was a concern. It looked at sea again on Saturday. Their goals came from midfielders. Matt Harris booted three and was good all over the ground, and Jason Kingsbury (two), was the best player on the ground. Along with Harris and Kingsbury, Dale Sutton was the only other consistent contributor. Ben Dwyer again proved that he was the best ruckman in the competition, beating Ryan Kitchen comfortably, while Matt Baker was one of Rosebud’s best given his ruck work, help in defence and three goals when he went forward. Greg Bentley was outstanding also, however, was a catalyst in the inaccuracy in front of goal. In saying that though, he kicked one of the goals of the year with a left foot snap from 45 metres. At the end of the day, Muston would be happy to take away the four points in a game I’m sure he would concede that his team was outplayed – it’s a sign of a good side that wins games when they’re not playing well. However, if it is to match Sorrento, and we get to see it first-hand this Saturday, there’s a lot of improvement that needs to come. Alex Harnett will return,
which is important. For Rosebud, I suggest goal kicking practice, both from set shots and running at goal. It’s been threatening to hurt them and on Saturday it cost them the match. Reigning premiers HASTINGS is another team that is far from playing its best footy but still manages to win games. The Blues were lucky to escape on Saturday though, coming from behind to beat a gallant SOMERVILLE. Whilst the Blues have been a little lucky at times this season, the Eagles have been the opposite – it led all afternoon only to be pipped on the line. Paul Rogasch proved to be the difference between the teams, the MPNFL star booting five goals for the Blues. Adrian Speedy continued his dominant season for the Eagles. SORRENTO trailed DEVON MEADOWS by three goals midway through the last quarter and only led by 22 points at half-time, however, a 15 goal to four second half saw the Sharks win by almost 100 points, 23.13 (151) to 9.5 (59). Chris Dawes and Nick Corp booted five each for the Sharks and Luke Tap-
scott was best afield with four goals while a further eight players contributed on the scoreboard. Jesse Bowe was once again the Meadows’ best, dominating the ruck work. CRIB POINT overcame a sluggish start to get the job done against PEARCEDALE, winning comfortably in the end 13.12 (90) to 9.12 (66). Dean Warry booted four goals for the Pies and coach Brad Arnold was again sensational with a best on ground performance. Luke Murray and Matt Cottrell were the best of the Dales. RYE trailed TYABB early in the match but the visitors got their noses in front late in the second quarter and went on to record a 18.6 (114) to 8.8 (56) victory. The Demons are now just a game and percentage off fifth place, along with Somerville and Red Hill, while Dromana is four points clear in fifth after playing an extra game. Tim Churchin and Adam Kirkwood each booted three for the Demons while Oscar Whitty and Ben Trivett were again outstanding. Darcy Underwood was very good for the Yabbies and Jake Anderson was amongst the best in his 100th game.
By Toe Punt ONE of the most respected people in local football, MPNFL Life Member Mark Hustwaite has pleaded with AFL South East to work together with clubs and not to make decisions for the benefit of the minority. Hustwaite, who is willing to assist the league to help improve clubs, has been involved in the MPNFL for more than 30 years, is a life member at Rosebud and Pines football clubs, is a premiership player and coach, interleague coach and currently the football manager at Rosebud. There’s not much ‘Hussy’ hasn’t achieved in our game. Without question, Hustwaite is well qualified to comment on the health of the competition and the proposed AFL South East changes. In the past week, Hustwaite has received unexpected calls from AFL South East general manager John Anderson and football manager Cam Roberts to
discuss his club’s stance on the proposal. Hustwaite made it clear to both of them that his club and surrounding clubs were united in their thoughts on the proposal. Hustwaite, who agreed that it looked as though AFL South East was trying to ‘divide and conquer’, said it appeared that AFL South East has a template on how our local competition should be structured. “However, they are not taking into account the unique features of our competition and its geography,” Hustwaite said. “It is well known that divisional football and promotion/relegation work in other regions and metro competitions. This template does not suit our region. Nepean Division has been in a very healthy state since becoming more geographical in 2006,” Hustwaite said. “In this region over the past 30 years, several alterations have been made to
the competition that have not served the clubs well. Generally, clubs who have been ‘promoted’ have struggled in the higher division – it has hurt the club by breaking up local rivalries, reducing their ability to raise funds through lower gate takings/canteen and other sales. The pressure to perform also demands that the clubs spend more to remain competitive, however, they are restricted in their ability to raise as much. Hustwaite said if Rosebud was placed in ‘Division One’ and lost rivalries against Rye, Dromana and Red Hill, it could cost the club as much as $40,000 in revenue each year. “AFL South East is attempting to legislate for the small number of clubs who are struggling. The clubs in our region who are ‘struggling’ are in this position for one or a combination of reasons. “We need to address club issues in changing demographics, financial position, links between junior and senior
clubs and the retention of youth/teenage footballers. Junior boys’ football in this area (in the smaller townships) has been in a sad decline for quite some time. Right now, I would say it’s almost at its weakest in 10 years.” One questions how that would compete against Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Berwick and Beaconsfield. Hustwaite said altering the structure of football in this region may only create a ‘quick fix’. “Rather than have the options presented to us as the ‘only’ choices, we need to use the AFL resources and professionals within our region to work with the clubs who are struggling and address their individual needs,” Hustwaite said. “If we can achieve the aim of improving the ‘health’ of every club that would like assistance, this would make for a sustainable local football environment. There may be some clubs who need to investigate alterations to the competition
they are in, but wholesale change is not required. “What we need right now is to get the AFL South East right behind us and work together for the best results in local football,” Hustwaite said. Watching it all unfold with a keen eye is Southern Football Netball League (SFNL), who may also be impacted with the AFL South East recommendations, given region divisional football may also impact their member clubs including Cerberus, South Mornington, Skye, Lyndhurst, Carrum and Chelsea Heights. However, SFNL General Manager David Canizzio would not be drawn into making comment. “I respect the process that AFL SE is going through and I’m sure there will come a time when it will be appropriate to make comment,” Canizzio said.
Life Member pleads with AFL South East
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Frankston Times 19 June 2017