Win within reach: Dromana got the better of Frankston YCW to take out the 2023 MPNFL Division One Grand Final. Picture: Craig Barrett
Tigers take the title after big win MPNFL
By Brodie Cowburn
DIVISION ONE
DROMANA comfortably defeated Frankston YCW to claim the 2023 MPFNL Division One premiership last weekend. Kinetic Stadium hosted the Grand Final last Sunday, 17 September. The Tigers have been the team to beat all season - Dromana came into the match with just one loss to their name all year. Frankston YCW fin-
ished the home-and-away season in second place. On Sunday, Dromana continued their good form. It was comfortable for the Tigers in the end. Frankston YCW had no answers for Dromana, who kept up the pressure all day. Dromana went on to win by 55 points - 14.13 (97) to 6.7 (43). Billy Geurts, Sam Fowler, Nicholas Collier, and Jake Aarts were named in Dromana’s best for the day. Aarts’ signing has been instrumental for the Tigers this season. The former Richmond Tiger was excellent all year for his new side.
Dromana has now won three premierships in five seasons - they took out the Division Two premiership in 2018 and won the top division title in 2019. Earlier on Sunday, Red Hill took on Langwarrin in the reserves Grand Final. It was a tight game at Kinetic Stadium, with neither side able to get far ahead. When the final siren sounded, it was Langwarrin who held a narrow lead. The Kangaroos claimed the win 5.9 (39) to 5.11 (41).
Junior leagues link up THE Frankston & District Junior Football League is set to merge with Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League in select divisions. This month, South East Juniors and Frankston & District Junior Football League announced it had accepted the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League into the under 16 girls, under 18 girls, under 15 boys, under 16 boys, and under
17 boys competitions. The new competition will begin in 2024. Work is now underway to establish new by-laws and a competition structure. A statement from AFL South East read “this outcome is a significant and positive step forward to strengthen and grow the junior football pathway for both girls and boys within the South East region.”
Tennis revival at Hastings Team members: Hastings Tennis Club members, left to right at back, coach Alex Classon, Ben Ward, Skye Pledger, Mackenzie Sands, Ozzy Cartwright, Reece Driscoll (head coach), front, Cleo Stuart and Thaadhie Karunyanake, Jed Clinch and Levi Sands. Picture: Supplied
A RECRUITMENT drive has seen Hastings Tennis Club more than double its membership. At the beginning of 2023 Hastings had no junior teams and a about 30 members. New coach Reece Driscoll said new members and new coaching programs had breathed new life into the club. “The club now has eight junior teams, two of which are section one,
two nights of after-school coaching, a junior performance squad and has signed up over 50 new members,” he said. The club employed a new coaching team at the start of term two and with that had come a new atmosphere and a strong focus on junior tennis. Driscoll said players from the performance squad were planning to train at a Spanish academy.
The club had upgraded its lights to LEDs and was wanted to return the bocce courts back to tennis courts. Driscoll said a recent “performance team” training trip to Bendigo helped to cement the sense of teamwork and players’ love of tennis. “When you think that we were struggling six months ago, we are now in a great place,” he said.
Frankston Times
19 September 2023
PAGE 17