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Dogs maul Redlegs to advance to grand final PENINSULA LEAGUE
By Toe Punt MORNINGTON will play Frankston YCW in the 2015 Peninsula Division grand final for the second year in a row after smashing old foes Mt Eliza by 48 points on Sunday. The Doggies were simply too committed for the Redlegs, who looked as though they would have preferred to be somewhere else other than Kars St in a Preliminary Final. Mt Eliza were pathetic and gave up without a whimper. If it had not been for Sam Gill, Darren Booth, Karl Lombardozzi, Matt Little, Jimmy Clayton and James Anwyl, they would have been belted by far more than eight goals. Mornington came out with intent and a desire to play in a grand final. You could have been forgiven for thinking Mt Eliza didn’t care if they got there. The Redlegs kicked three goals in the first half and just two in the second. Mt Eliza averaged 17 goals a game in 2015. The final score was 13.7 (85) to 5.7 (37). When you have a full forward like Justin Van Unen, who has kicked more than 100 goals in a season, it’s difficult to understand why he started on a wing. If it was to shake Adam Symes as an opponent, it was naïve by the Mt Eliza brainstrust. Symes is comfortable wherever he plays and was more than happy to stand with Van Unen on the wing. He was far too good for him wherever he played. James Cameron set the game up for the Doggies with six possessions in the first quarter and 21 for the match. He also booted two goals.
Joel Miller and Ben Wells (two goals) didn’t get a possesion in the first quarter but dominated after that, while Ben Clements was busy all afternoon with three goals. Jackson Calder just works so hard and wills himself to contests. This attitude is usually rewarded with opportunity and he finished with four goals. Danny Nolan and Emilio Bitters were back in the side and got better and better as the game went on. Coach Chris Holcombe said before the game that he expected Warwick Miller to play in the grand final. Michael Gay was dominant in the ruck while Dale Nolan was comfortably the second best player on the ground, playing as a defender. He would have had more than a dozen marks. While Symes carved up Van Unen, Ryan Smith and Jai Haddock had the ball on a string from half back, while Ryan O’Dell, Josh Halsall and Barry Smeeton did a lot of the grunt work. Yet again, it wasn’t the prettiest of games, however the Doggies were the side that wanted to win. If you were a Mt Eliza supporter, you would have left the ground very disappointed. Obviously, the Doggies’ fans loved it and they are into yet another Grand Final.
Every dog has its day: Mornington are heading to the Peninsula League grand final after slamming Mt Eliza. Picture: Gary Bradshaw
Jewell to coach Sorrento in 2016 By Toe Punt The worst kept secret in local footy can be revealed – Nick Jewell will coach Sorrento next season. The 2015 premiership coach resigned his post at Rosebud after round six when he was offered the job at Sorrento. For more than half of the 2015 season, Nick Jewell has been the coach of Sorrento for 2016. Ideally, according to Jewell, he would have liked to have continued to build on the success that he and the Rosebud Football Club had built over the past three years during his time at the club. However, the Buds would not give him the job after six rounds of the 2015 season and he exercised his
right to accept another offer that was on the table. It is believed Jewell was offered the Sorrento job just one year after being at Rosebud, however, he declined the opportunity because he felt there was great opportunity with the Buds. His father, former Richmond Premiership coach Tony Jewell, is a member at Sorrento, Nick played at the club and plays cricket at the club. Jewell makes no secret of the fact that it was always a dream to coach Sorrento, however made it clear Rosebud were always his first priority. Despite winning the 2015 premiership and the reserves and Under 19s going deep into the finals, only one formal application has been made for
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the senior coaching position. Without question, it is the plum job in the entire MPNFL. Footy Show goes to Brewery The last RPP FM Footy Show of the year will be held at Mornington Peninsula Brewery from 9-10am this Saturday, September 26. It would be sensational to have as many people there as possible to celebrate what has been another awesome year of local footy. Get down for a free breakfast and try all the local beers on tap – there will be free tastings all morning. Mornington Peninsula Brewery is located at 72 Watt Rd, Mornington. Stratton at Crib Point
Like Jewell at Sorrento, it is believed Taylor Stratton has been the new coach of Crib Point since at least round 15 of this season. While Crib Point and Stratton refuse to admit that he has the job, we can categorically tell you that the former team of the year midfielder has the top job. And it is believed that Stratton approached the Magpies for the job, not the other way around. It is alleged that Stratton was on a recruiting drive within the Hastings group well before the season finished. We can also tell you that Hastings powerbrokers have made it very clear to Stratton to stop the phone calls to Hastings players. It is believed his brother Kain
will go with him to Crib Point, with at least one other Hastings player, although no one is sure who that is. Pearcedale lands big fish Pearcedale announced on Saturday that former Peninsula League medallist, three time premiership player and Seaford star Chris Irving has signed as assistant coach. Jamie Merchan will continue to be the head coach, however, Irving comes into the fold to support. Pat Heijden, Ben Mitchell and Dylan Hoare will concentrate on their footy. Irving is not expected to play at all, however, the Panthers are hopeful of announcing some big signings in the coming weeks.
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Frankston Times 21 September 2015
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