MPFNL
WOMEN’S DIV ONE
WARRAGUL Industrials has written its name in the history books by becoming the inaugural MPFNL Women’s premiers in the top division. Warragul Industrials played Mornington in the Division One Grand Final at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston last Saturday. A healthy crowd was on hand to watch a thriller.
The Bulldogs were on top early, and booted the first two goals of the game. Things tightened up from there, and both sides went into the quarter-time break level on 13 each. Warragul kicked the only goal of a tense second quarter to establish a four point lead going into the main break. Warragul Industrials added another goal to their tally after the half-time break to stretch their lead out to 10, but Mornington managed to strike back. A goal late in the third term cut the lead back to three and kept the Bulldogs in the hunt.
The game was balanced on a knife edge in the final quarter. Mornington struck first to grab the lead before Warragul Industrials quickly replied to snatch it back. The Bulldogs kicked another goal to get back ahead, but two late Warragul Industrials goals put a dagger through Mornington hearts. After a see-sawing clash, Warragul Industrials emerged on top. They clinched the premiership 5.5 (35) to 7.3 (45). Skipper Samara Beaton held the premiership cup aloft, and the celebrations began.
MEN’S DIV ONE
ROSEBUD, Pines, and Sorrento will battle it out for the final spot in the top five this weekend as the Division One season comes to a close. Rosebud could have wrapped up a finals spot on Saturday as they hosted Red Hill. A win would have put them six points clear in fifth spot.
The home side led all day long – in the final quarter Rosebud was ahead by 19 points and looked in a comfortable position. Red Hill stormed home in the dying moments of the game to snatch a win and deal a devastating blow to Rosebud. They booted the final three goals to grab a 9.13 (67) to 10.9 (69) victory. The win confirmed that Red Hill will finish the season in fourth place, with an historic appearance in the Division One finals looming.
Rosebud finished the round two points clear inside the top five, with Pines and Sorrento breathing down their necks. Pines and Sorrento played on Saturday with their seasons on the line – the Pythons emerged with a four goal win.
Guy Hendry booted three goals for Pines. Former Hawk Shane Savage also impressed.
Rosebud will travel to take on Frankston YCW this weekend, with a win making their finals spot certain. Pines will need to beat Mt Eliza on the road, and Sorrento is set to host the Frankston Bombers.
Dromana locked up top spot on the ladder with a dominant 139 point win over Mornington on Saturday. Jordan Andrews had a day out for the Tigers. He booted 10 goals.
The loss leaves Mornington in last place with 18 points with the threat of relegation hanging overhead. Langwarrin and Frankston Bombers are each on 20 points, and could drop down to last place in the final round if results don’t go their way. Langwarrin are faced with the daunting task of facing ladder leaders Dromana away from home this Saturday, and Mornington will travel to take on Red Hill.
Mt Eliza beat the Frankston Bombers by 70 points last weekend. Langwarrin were defeated by Frankston YCW by 21 points.
MEN’S DIV TWO
SOMERVILLE and Pearcedale locked up their finals spots last Saturday after a gripping three-way-battle for fourth and fifth place. Somerville came into the final round of the home-and-away season in sixth place coming off a win. They were chasing fourth-placed Pearcedale and fifth-placed Crib Point, who both sat four points above Somerville but had a lower percentage.
To win their finals spot, Somerville got the job done against Hastings at home. After a tight first quarter Somerville put their foot on the gas, and ran out to a 71 point win 16.25 (121) to 7.8 (50). Lachlan Haskett, Kai Suparta, Luke Burton, Joel Vincent, and Mason de Wit starred for the victors.
Elsewhere Pearcedale’s finals hopes took a blow at the hands of Devon Meadows. Pearcedale struggled to get into the game, and eventually succumbed to a 56 point defeat. The result meant that a win for Crib Point over Tyabb would have moved the Magpies into fourth spot, knocking Pearcedale out of the top five. The day ended in heartbreak for the Magpies, as they missed out on a finals berth by the narrowest of margins.
Crib Point trailed the Yabbies by two points heading into the final term. They scored an early goal in the last quarter to go ahead and send the home crowd into a frenzy, but they weren’t able to hold on. Two late goals saw Tyabb snatch a thrilling six point win. Crib Point ended up missing out on the finals by percentage only.
Ladder leaders Edithvale-Aspendale finished the season 17-1 after a scrappy win over Karingal last weekend. The Bulls lost to the Eagles 2.14 (26) to 5.16 (46).
Around the grounds, Seaford beat Rye by a goal at RJ Rowley Reserve and Chelsea smashed Bonbeach by 80 points at Bonbeach Reserve.
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES
DIVISION ONE MENS
Saturday 17 August, 2pm:
Dromana v Langwarrin – Dromana Recreation Reserve
Sorrento v Frankston Bombers – David Macfarlane Reserve
Frankston YCW v Rosebud – John Coburn Oval
Red Hill v Mornington – Red Hill Recreation Reserve
Mt. Eliza v Pines – Emil Madsen Reserve
DIVISION TWO MENS
Not announced at time of printing