Stonecats have a successful start, Bombers get on the board MPNFL
By Brodie Cowburn
DIVISION ONE
IT was a day of celebration for Frankston YCW on Saturday, as they started their season with a gritty come-frombehind win over Bonbeach. The two sides got the 2022 season underway with an entertaining clash at Bonbeach Reserve. The Stonecats proved to be the stronger side on the day after a slow start. They ended up taking the game by 14 points - 11.9 (75) to 14.5 (89). The day will also be remembered for the return of Frankston YCW’s Dylan Roberton to the football field. The former St Kilda defender made a welcome return after retiring from the AFL last year because of health issues. Two Division One matches were played on Saturday to kick off the season. The other matchup saw Mt Eliza host Frankston Bombers at Emil Madsen Reserve. Both sides had troubles in front of goal all afternoon, but Frankston Bombers managed to come out on top. The Bombers won 5.12 (42) to 8.14 (62).
DIVISION TWO
Back to the future: Ex Saint and Docker, Dylan Roberton, lines up to kick a goal in his first game back at local footy since playing as a junior at Frankston YCW. The Stonecats came from behind to get the better of Bonbeach. Picture: Craig Barrett
SOMERVILLE were the big winners in the opening round of the MPNFL season, claiming a thumping victory over Hastings. It was a goal-fest at Somerville’s home ground on Saturday. Somerville booted 22 goals for the day, securing them a 79 point win over the Blues. Ryan Gillis starred for Somerville. He booted seven goals. Daniel Marshall contributed four majors to the scoreboard and Lachlan Sharp kicked three. The final score read Somerville 22.12 (144) to Hastings 10.5 (65). Langwarrin also got their season started on the right foot. They got the better of Seaford at RF Miles Reserve. Langwarrin will be hoping for a big year. They finished last year’s COVID-interrupted season on top of the ladder, and will be looking to replicate those efforts. Seaford struggled to match the Kangaroos on Saturday. Langwarrin ended up winning comfortably 7.6 (48) to 12.16 (88). Zach Andrewartha kicked three goals for the winning side, and former Essendon Bomber Mark Baguley kicked two. Chelsea also notched up a win in their opening game of the season. They defeated Crib Point 7.10 (52) to 9.15 (69). The final game of the opening round saw Devon Meadows and Pearcedale take each other on. Devon Meadows had opportunities in front of their home crowd, but failed to convert their chances. Pearcedale took advantage to claim an 8.13 (61) to 12.11 (83) win.
Mornington’s top sprinters to face off at Sale HORSE RACING
By Ben Triandafillou CLIFF Brown’s The Inferno and Jason Warren and Dean Krongold’s Brooklyn Hustle will likely head to Sale on Friday 15 April. The two stable stars for the Mornington-based trainers are set to contest the inaugural running of The Country Discovery (1100m), an open handicap race, worth $500,000. Brown, who had The Inferno ready to go for the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) on March 25, was forced to scratch the gelding on the morning of the race because of a sore foot. He had been installed as the second-favourite for the race prior to the scratching. “24 hours later and he was fine,” Cliff Brown said of the minor setback. “It was a little bit frustrating.” Brown is confident the talented sprinter can return in good order when he steps out next. “He’s going to trial on Wednesday before heading to the 1100m open
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race. He’s going well and it seems a good race for him,” he said. Warren and Krongold’s Brooklyn Hustle returns from Sydney after contesting the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) on Saturday 19 March where she got back and ran home well to finish in sixth, beaten just over two lengths by inform sprinter Shelby Sixtysix. Co-trainer Dean Krongold said the flashy chestnut mare will also have a trial before heading to the Sale sprint. With a similar ‘get back and run on’ racing style as The Inferno, Krongold believes the Sale track should suit their mare perfectly. “It’s a track that’ll suit her and there’s good prizemoney on offer,” he said. “It also fits into the program well heading to her likely goal of the [Group 1 Robert] Sangster in Adelaide.” Brown’s The Inferno is also likely to head to Adelaide following The Country Discovery with the $500,000 Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 21 also on the cards.
5 April 2022
Head-to-head: Two of Mornington’s best sprinters The Inferno and Brooklyn Hustle are likely to meet each other in the $500,000 The Country Discovery at Sale on April 15. Pictures: Supplied