Redlegs make a statement PENINSULA LEAGUE
By Toe Punt MT ELIZA was able to put a tough week behind it and get back on the winners’ list in superb fashion on Saturday, steam rolling Karingal. It was a rough week for the Redlegs with one of their young stars Brodie Shaw going down in the final quarter last week with a compound fracture of his leg. However, with a successful surgery and a few days to recover behind them, the Redlegs were able to focus on the job at hand on Saturday and put Karingal to the sword. Kicking with the wind in the first quarter at Frankston Park, the Redlegs were able to boot six goals to zip and should have been further ahead than 41 points after having 13 scoring shots to two. In the third quarter with Justin Van Unen (eight goals), Dan Gormley (three goals), Shaun Knott and Jimmy Freeman all dominating in attack, the Redlegs were able to ram on another nine goals with the wind and go on to record a 19.12 (126) to 7.7 (49) win. Karingal has been a well-structured, competitive team this season and has pushed the best, however, Mt Eliza was at a different level on Saturday.
Pines’ Aaron Edwards made it 17 goals in two matches and 31 for the season when he booted eight majors against Chelsea. The Pythons dominated across four quarters and were able to stop Chelsea’s three game winning streak. Guy Hendry controlled the match across half back and Corey Ash has taken his game to a new level since being given run with roles. He has taken some big scalps, including Joel Miller and Michael Burke. Pines booted eight goals to zip in the opening quarter and went on to win 21.12 (138) to 10.9 (69). Seaford set up an exciting RPP Match of the Day top of the table clash against Pines next weekend with another impressive victory on Saturday, this time against Edithvale-Aspendale. Only four points separated the sides at half time before the Tigers came out after the long break, booting 10 goals to six to win 16.17 (113) to 12.10 (82). Dean Williamson was superb with four goals, Damien Rayson was dominant once again and Matt McCormack helped himself to four goals also. Liam Harris and Callan Vandyke were the best of the Eagles. Mornington’s season is officially over after Bonbeach led all day to win
14.7 (91) to 10.5 (65). The difference between the sides was Bonbeach’s ability to take advantage of the wind advantage and then keep pressing when it was game on in the final term. With just seven points separating the sides at three quarter time, Shane McDonald booted two goals and Darcy James and Lachy Stenning hit the scoreboard too in the last to take the game away from the Dogs. Beau Bailey was a welcome return from the VFL for the Sharks and Justin Bennett and Dylan Jones were at their best also. Kieran Bird and Michael Gay were the best of the Dogs. Frankston YCW bounced back after a disappointing game last week and completed the expected and beat Langwarrin, 13.13 (91) to 6.10 (46). Josh Butland booted four and Kyle Hutchison dominated for the Stonecats while Matty LaFontaine returned from Collingwood and impressed after kicking a goal with the Pies last week. Gerard Brown and Kieran Albanese booted three and two goals respectively while Shane Paterson was once again the Kangas’ best.
Taking flight: Despite this big grab, Edithvale-Aspendale went down to Seaford Tigers by 31 points. Picture: Andrew Hurst
The upsets continue in Nepean Division NEPEAN LEAGUE
By Toe Punt THE evenness and unpredictability of the 2017 Nepean Division season continued on Saturday. Rosebud caused the upset of the round when it headed to the home of reigning premier Hastings and touched them up to the tune of 41 points. The Buds enjoy the open spaces of Thomas Barclay Oval and the ground holds no fear for them, given their great record there over the past few years. It proved to be the case from the opening bounce on Saturday. Rosebud really set up its win in the second quarter when it was able to defend well against the breeze and go into the long break with a 16 point lead. With the wind in the third, the Buds were able to extend the lead to 27 points and with the wind dying down in last, put the opposition to the sword and kicked away to enjoy a convincing 12.15 (87) to 6.10 (46) win. Perhaps Hastings started to drink their own bath water on the back of some impressive victories. A total of 27 scoring shots to just 16 highlighted Rosebud’s domination. Anyone thinking Rosebud isn’t quite at the level were reminded on Saturday that it’s still well and truly in the mix. Keegan Downie was sensational with four goals, Ben Dwyer was at his best in the ruck and dominated Josh Mulheron and Greg Bentley was his usual ‘Rolls Royce’ self. Stevey Robb with three goals was the best of the Blues. Rye’s Ben Winters-Kerr went out of football in the best possible way on Saturday, booting four goals as his team knocked over Devon Meadows in another upset. The Meadows, who again forfeited Under 19s, have shown pretty good form in the past month and were ex-
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Frankston Times 29 May 2017
Trying to find a way through: It was Rye’s day on Saturday against Devon Meadows, winning by 38 points. Picture: Scott Memery
pected to win. However, in Winters-Kerr’s 200th and final senior game, Rye dominated across four quarters, winning 16.8 (104) to 9.12 (66). Winters-Kerr became only the 10th player in the club’s history to play 200. With a new look, young side, I would think beating Devon at Devon would have been one of the most satisfying wins the club has experienced in recent memory. Pearcedale booted the opening three goals of the game with the wind against Red Hill on Saturday. It took until the 15-minute mark of the final quarter for the Panthers to kick their fourth.
In the meantime, the Hillmen bangedon 21 goals and humiliated the opposition in front of their own crowd, 21.17 (143) to 4.12 (36). Make no mistake, this was a new low for Pearcedale coach Leigh Stewart, who was confident his side could get the job done against the Hillmen. The fact is the clubs are poles apart. To make matters worse, former Pearcedale players Dylan Hoare and Chris Irving dominated for the Hillmen, booting two goals each and controlling the game throughout. In another upset, Dromana headed to Crib Point and not only won, but belted
the home team by almost 100 points, 22.17 (149) to 9.12 (66). Sam Fowler was back from Northern Bullants and booted four while Ethan Johnstone and Sam Guerts dominated. In the final game, Sorrento played one outstanding quarter of football and it was enough to beat Somerville by 43 points, 16.14 (110) to 9.13 (67). The Eagles trailed by 11 points at half time despite having four more scoring shots and in the final quarter, they booted five goals to three. The problem was, it allowed Sorrento to boot 7.8 to 1.2 in the third quarter and blow them away.
Sorrento skipper James Hallahan was the best player on the ground, providing enormous drive from half back, Nick Corp marked everything that came near him in attack and Chris Dawes kicked a sensational right foot snap goal against the boundary line after sharking it from the ruck. The Eagles’ aren’t that far away but height is a major issue for them, as is a lack of concentration for periods of time. In better news for the Eagles, there were rumours around the ground that key forward Luke Rowe may return, while Justin Farrelly may come back sooner than expected.