FRANKSTON TIMES scoreboard
AFL South-East get it wrong over finals By Toe Punt WHEN MPNFL Nepean Division clubs instigated a vote of no confidence that eventually saw the sacking of the board and administration this time last season, the reason for doing so was “change”. Nepean Clubs were no longer prepared to accept a dictatorship that constantly stripped them of having a voice and they got on the front foot to do something about it. Peninsula Division clubs followed later. AFL South-East General Manager Jeremy Bourke and his team of regional managers were like politicians before an election, campaigning and meeting with clubs, standing on the platform of ‘being heard and having a say in the future of football on the Mornington Peninsula’. It was enough to get the clubs excited and onside, as well as encourage the likes of yours truly that “things
were going to be different for the good of the game”. The fact of the matter is, 12 months on, nothing has changed. Sure, the new MPNFL has made some administration tweaks and videoing every game has been popular. Easy, predictable, quick wins. However, they’ve failed to make any real hard decisions that are going to benefit the short and long term future of the competition. The MPNFL has had every chance to make a statement. However, it buckled with the Nepean League 16-round competition becoming 18, it failed to execute an engaging and supportive interleague campaign and its latest decision to restrict Nepean Division to play finals at Frankston Park is a short-sighted, misinformed disgrace. In fact, it’s a mismanaged, uneducated injustice. AFL South East MPNFL League
Manager Shaun Connell released a media statement last Thursday, beating his chest about the fact that the MPNFL has a wonderful working relationship with Frankston Dolphins and Frankston Council, which opens the door for Saturday and Sunday finals at Kars St. Kudos to Connell and his team for improving the relationship but given where the relationship started, it was never going to be hard to improve. What two days of finals did was open the door to turn back the clock and have Nepean Division played on the Saturday and Peninsula Division on the Sunday. No-one can argue the fact that Peninsula Division doesn’t draw crowds until Grand Final day – you just need to read the MPNFL Financial statement to understand that. Make no mistake, the Nepean Division finals prop-up the entire competition.
Netball had always been used as an argument but according to Connell, this was no longer an issue because a deal has been struck with Frankston District Netball Association to have the games played at Jubillee Park. However, rather than look at what is best for the entire competition, including the supporters, the MPNFL have decided to give Peninsula Division both Saturday and Sunday access to Frankston Park. What a farce! How can the MPNFL justify alienating Nepean Division from having an equal share of Frankston Park? Is the MPNFL trying to drive a wedge between Peninsula and Nepean – are they trying to make Peninsula, which is on its knees as a competition, the premier competition? Rumours circulating that Peninsula will have a salary cap of $150,000 next season and Nepean clubs $130,000 supports that theory.
Right now, these are two even competitions – Peninsula and Nepean. It’s not Division One and Division Two. That may change in the future, however, right now, its two even competitions looking for equal rights. Connell said in the media release “there are many positives to play here (Frankston Park) not only is it the heartland of the MPNFL but provides great viewing for patrons and a VFL standard surface for all clubs participating”. Connell is absolutely right about it being the heartland of the MPNFL – all 22 clubs, not just five Peninsula Division clubs. In almost 12 months in office, AFL South-East has taken the easy option – that’s not why it was voted in. There is only one decision to be made here and that’s to celebrate the MPNFL as a whole competition and play finals of both Divisions at Kars St.
‘Sticks’ breaks games record NEPEAN LEAGUE By Toe Punt IT was mixed emotions for Sorrento Football Club on Saturday. While a legend of the club in Brent ‘Sticks’ Kenyon was breaking the 25year games record of Bernie Lynch of 263 games, reigning premier Rosebud was ending a finals streak which dates back to 2007. While it’s mathematically possible that Sorrento can still make finals, they must beat Red Hill in their one remaining game of the season in the final round and hope that Hastings gets belted by Crib Point and Frankston in their final two matches. Sorrento got a taste of finals when Tony Blackford took over as a coach in 2002 and the Sharks played finals every season while he was there until 2005. They won the flag in 2004. The Sharks missed in 2006 before Troy Schwarze came to the club in 2007. They played nine finals series straight, winning the 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012 premierships. In 2016, Sorrento will not be part of it. Devastation aside, it shouldn’t overshadow the enormous contribution of Kenyon, who was awarded Life Membership in 2013. ‘Sticks’ played his first and only senior game in 1998 before becoming a regular the following year. In 2013 he became the coach of the reserves and played 14 senior games that season, before devoting his entire year to the reserves as coach in 2014. In 2015, Kenyon played six senior games while still coaching the reserves before doing a big pre-season which resulted in him playing the majority of 2016. Kenyon is a five-time premiership player and was voted Best on Ground in the 2012 premiership. In addition to 264 senior games, Kenyon also played 30 under 18 and 36 reserves games. He coached the 2001 under 18 premiership. On Saturday, despite playing a wonderful game for Sorrento, he couldn’t stop the eight goal avalanche of Rosebud in the third quarter. While 12 scoring shots to six should have seen Rosebud further ahead (11 points) at the major change, the home
Eagles soar: Despite never giving up, Hastings went down to Somerville by nine points. Picture: Andrew Hurst
side went to work in the third and slammed on 8.5 to two behinds to go 10 goals up. Season on the line, Sorrento rallied in the last to eventually go down by 34 points. Keegan Downie booted four and Greg Bentley three for the winners while Rob Bos and Sean Downie were outstanding. Red Hill ended Rye’s season also. The Demons got away to a flier and kicked five of the first six goals before the Hillmen booted nine unanswered goals in the second with the wind. The eventual margin was 32 points, 14.8 (92) to 8.12 (60).
The Hillmen had nine goal kickers, Marcus Dal Lago and Tom McKinley booted three each. In good news for Rye, coach Josh Moore has been reappointed for next season. Somerville and Hastings put on a show that will be remembered as one of the best games of the season on Saturday. Hastings threw everything they had and more at Somerville but it just wasn’t enough to get over the line. Rowan Hogenbirk was arguably the best player on the ground for his clearance and stoppage work, Luke Rowe was sensational with six goals, the
human mullet Luke Burton’s forward pressure was eye-catching and Josh Westerman’s shut down job on Shaun Foster was match-winning. The likes of Adrian Speedy, Jedd Sutton and Timmy Mcgennis were all relatively quiet, which says great things for the team as a whole. The impressive thing for the Eagles was they got to work. Did the little things well. That’s been a criticism in the past. Hastings kept coming and Somerville kept responding. Jake Hewitt was enormous off half back for the Blues and Mark Devereaux was great through the middle.
Col McVeigh looked dangerous and booted three third quarter goals. Despite a five goal last quarter, Pearcedale went down to Devon Meadows by 13 points, 11.10 (76) to 9.9 (63). Alex Doria booted six in a best on ground display for the Meadows. Crib Point led all afternoon to beat Tyabb 10.12 (72) to 3.8 (26) while Frankston Bombers maintained their dominance at the top of the table with a 13.14 (92) to 6.4 (40) victory over Dromana. The Tigers have won just one game away from home this season. Brian O’Carroll showed some glimpses of the past in his best game since his return.
Frankston Times 1 August 2016
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