Steady hands: Frankston YCW were too good for Pines, clinching a 67-point win. Picture: Craig Barrett
Bulls crash out of finals, Stonecats succeed MPNFL
By Brodie Cowburn
DIVISION ONE
MT Eliza knocked Frankston Bombers out of the finals on Sunday. It was a cagey affair at Olympic Park. The Bombers went into the halftime break ahead by ten points. Mt Eliza broke the game open in the third term. A four-goals-to-zero quarter saw Mt Eliza go ahead by 15. The Redlegs held onto their lead in the final term, and went on to claim an 11 point win 8.7 (55) to 6.8 (44). Nicholas MacDonald Girolami, Nathan Jones, and Finlay Bayne were Mt Eliza’s best. Frankston YCW won the qualifying final at Baxter Park last Saturday. The Stonecats raced out of the gates to a big early lead, and never looked like losing. Pines were never able to recover from their poor start. Frankston YCW picked up a comprehensive 67 point win 18.14
(122) to 8.7 (55). This weekend, Dromana and Frankston YCW will play off for a Grand Final spot. Olympic Park hosts the heavyweight match-up on Saturday, with the game beginning at 2.15pm. Pines and Mt Eliza will play at RJ Rowley Reserve on Sunday from 2.15pm.
DIVISION TWO
KARINGAL have crashed out of the 2023 finals series. The Bulls had a brilliant homeand-away season. They lost just three games all year, and finished second on the ladder. After a first round finals loss to Somerville, the Bulls were faced with a do-or-die clash against Devon Meadows last Sunday. Chelsea Recreation Reserve hosted the match. Goals were hard to come by all day for both sides. Inaccuracy ended up costing Karingal their season. Devon Meadows defeated Karingal
by 10 points - 4.13 (37) to 6.11 (47). A goalless final term sealed Karingal’s fate. Somerville booked their Grand Final spot on Saturday with an upset win over Mornington. Somerville played Mornington at RJ Rowley Reserve on Saturday with a place in the Grand Final on the line. The Bulldogs led at each break of play. They took a three point lead into the final term. A five-goals-to-one final quarter saw Somerville run away with the game. They beat the Bulldogs by 20 points 7.14 (56) to 10.16 (76). Kane McKenzie, Jesse WalkerSwain, Thomas Murphy, Jaxsen Shinners, and Daniel Marshall were Somerville’s best. Marshall scored three goals. Mornington will get another chance on Saturday when they take on Devon Meadows in the preliminary final. RJ Rowley Reserve will host the match from 2.15pm. The winner plays Somerville the following Saturday.
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES Division One
Dromana v Frankston YCW, 2.15pm, Sat 2 Sep, 2ND SEMI FINAL, Olympic Park Rosebud Pines v Mt. Eliza, 2.15pm, Sun 3 Sep, 1ST SEMI FINAL, RJ Rowley Reserve
Division Two
Mornington v Devon Meadows, 2.15pm Sat 2 Sep, PRELIMINARY FINAL, RJ Rowley Reserve
Clubs reject expansion for 2024 THE MPFNL will not be expanded in 2024. Earlier this year, the MPFNL sought expressions of interest from clubs who wished to join the league in 2024. The expansion proposal was rejected by the incumbent MPFNL clubs last week. Cranbourne, Frankston Dolphins, Narre Warren, Pakenham, South Mornington, and Carrum Patterson Lakes are understood to be the teams
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Frankston Times
which had their bids for MPFNL acceptance rejected. Frankston Dolphins released a statement on its Facebook page last week after the decision was made. “The Committee was informed last night that Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League club presidents had voted for no further expansion of their league for the 2024 season. As a result, our application to join the MPFNL was denied,” the
29 August 2023
statement read. “While we are disappointed with the outcome and will seek further feedback from the MPFNL board and clubs, our key focus remains on the 2023 season. “The Committee will continually work to determine the best path forward for the club but remains committed to providing a sound pathway for our young talent to progress from junior football and netball to senior level.”
Final countdown: A Thundering final quarter saw Somerville beat Mornington by 20 points. Picture: Alan Dillon