WHEN MPNFL Nepean Division clubs instigated a vote of no confidence that eventually saw the sacking of the board and administration this time last season, the reason for doing so was “change”. Nepean Clubs were no longer prepared to accept a dictatorship that constantly stripped them of having a voice and they got on the front foot to do something about it. Peninsula Division clubs followed later. AFL South-East General Manager Jeremy Bourke and his team of regional managers were like politicians before an election, campaigning and meeting with clubs, standing on the platform of ‘being heard and having a…
Author: Toe Punt
PENINSULA LEAGUE LANGWARRIN proved once again on Saturday that it is not far off becoming a consistent competitive outfit after leading all afternoon to beat Pines. The Kangaroos, who again had five Under 19s playing, jumped out of the blocks and snatched an early lead, one that they didn’t give up for the entire match. Karingal assistant coach Leigh Poholke told the RPP Footy Show on Saturday morning that he thought the Kangaroos could “get the Pythons on the outside with their leg speed on the open spaces of Lloyd Park”. Poholke was absolutely right. Many say that Langwarrin should…
NEPEAN LEAGUE RYE’S season is over. The Demons are now a game and a half outside of the MPNFL Nepean Division top five, as well as a whopping 31 per cent after being humiliated by Rosebud by more than 100 points on Saturday. After a mid-season slump that saw them look right out of contention, Rye responded to public criticism and got themselves back into the finals hunt. However, a loss last week against an emotionally-charged Devon Meadows and then a 102 point belting on Saturday has ended their season. This is the second season in succession that the Demons…
NEPEAN LEAGUE THE Devon Meadows Football Club was a super proud club on Saturday night. But it had little to do with the 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71) victory against finals aspirants Rye. It was more about how the Meadows went about the entire day after star player, two-time league medal winner and favourite son Beau Miller lost his fight with cancer. After being diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer a couple of months ago, Beau lost his fight last Thursday, leaving behind wife Stephanie, two young sons and a football community that adored him both on and off the…
PENINSULA LEAGUE PINES bounced back from a shock defeat last week to inflict a savage loss on Bonbeach in MPNFL Peninsula Division football on Saturday. Pines coach Patty Swayne scoffed at suggestions pre-match that there was daylight between Bonbeach and the top three sides after the Sharks had won seven of its past eight games. However, Bonbeach coach Steve Hughes might have been right after the Sharks were made to look second rate by the Pythons, going down 4.12 (36) to 17.6 (108). Pines’ loss last week to Edithvale had a little to do with the fact that full back…
PENINSULA LEAGUE MT ELIZA has breathed some life into the MPNFL Peninsula Division competition with a comprehensive victory against Frankston YCW. The Redlegs put a stop to the 25-game winning streak of the Stonecats, whose last loss coming into the clash was against Mornington in round seven last season. After defeating Mt Eliza by almost 100 points at Wooralla Drive just six weeks ago, it appeared that the Stonecats would go through the season undefeated. Just nine points separated the sides at the major interval before the visitors booted eight goals to two in the second hour to win 14.13…
NEPEAN LEAGUE SOMERVILLE is back in the MPNFL Nepean Division premiership race after a superb four quarter performance against Sorrento. Backs against the wall and staring down the barrel of missing out on finals had they lost, it was all on the line for the Eagles. Coach David ‘Budda’ Hirst put it on his players before the match that they needed to lift, especially some of the ‘big name’ players who had been horribly out of form. Those players responded. Ben Crowe was a match winner with five goals, Tim McGennis had more than 20 touches, Scott Simpson beat Nick…
PENINSULA LEAGUE BONBEACH is starting to flex its muscles in MPNFL Peninsula Division and is starting to make a statement. While all the talk surrounds Frankston YCW and who is going to challenge, the Sharks are emerging as a team that seems to be getting things together at the right time. In what many considered to be a 50-50 game against Seaford on Saturday, the Sharks hammered the visitors to the tune of 32 points, 15.8 (98) to 9.12 (66). Bonbeach has now won six of its past seven matches after losing the opening four games of the season. In…
NEPEAN LEAGUE Even a seven goal last quarter couldn’t help Devon Meadows steal a win against Dromana in MPNFL Nepean Division on Saturday. Trailing by four goals at three quarter time, the Panthers stormed home in the final 30 minutes, albeit never hitting the front, only to fall just short, 15.11 (101) to 14.13 (97). It was Dromana coach Rikki Johnston who proved to be the difference between the sides, booting six goals in a best on ground performance. Rated one of the best defenders of all time, Rikki J has booted 17 goals since swinging himself forward against Tyabb…
PENINSULA LEAGUE PINES moved to outright second on the Peninsula Division ladder with a strong performance against Mt Eliza at Wooralla Drive on Saturday. Despite the Redlegs opening up a 25-point break on the Pythons in the second quarter, the visitors were able to boot nine goals to four in the second hour to win 12.13 (85) to 10.9 (69). It was a great performance from the Pythons, who tweaked some things during the major break that ultimately turned the game around. James Freeman got hold of Pines in the opening half but coach Patty Swayne shifted ruckman Beau Hendry…
NEPEAN LEAGUE SORRENTO got back on the winner’s list on Saturday, knocking over the in-form Frankston Bombers in epic fashion. The Sharks had lost their previous two games at home to Rye and Devon Meadows but with some returning players and a tweak in game style, the home side was able to take the Bombers down a peg. The Sharks had nine scoring shots to two in the opening term and never looked in danger, winning 15.11 (101) to 7.15 (57). With Scott Lockwood back in the team and joining Nick Corp in the forward 50 metre arc, the Sharks…
PENINSULA LEAGUE FRANKSTON YCW will not be beaten in 2016, according to two MPNFL Peninsula Division coaches. And worst still for the competition, the coaches believe that nothing will change in 2017 and beyond under the current MPNFL Player Points System (PPS). Guests on the RPP Footy Show on Saturday morning, Mornington coach Chris Holcombe and Seaford coach Ben Murphy were both steadfast when asked the question “can anyone beat Frankston YCW this season”. Without hesitation, both Holcombe and Murphy said “no”. Holcombe said that the Stonecats were a long way in front of any other team in the competition,…
NEPEAN LEAGUE FRANKSTON Bombers are absolute genuine contenders for the 2016 Nepean League premiership after comfortably disposing of Rosebud at Greg Beck Oval on Saturday. “Going hard enough for long enough” was the theme of the game for the Bombers after yours truly questioned whether they had the mental toughness to play out 100 minutes of football. The Bombers answered that question in spades. Rosebud tried on a number of occasions to unsettle the Bombers, however the home team stuck to the task at hand and extended their lead at every change. What was more impressive for Frankston Bombers was…
PENINSULA LEAGUE BONBEACH is just half a game outside of the top five after a convincing win against neighbour Edithvale-Aspendale in Peninsula League on Saturday. The Sharks came from 12 points down at quarter time and three points down at the last change to win 13.9 (87) to 9.9 (63). Luke Damon was at his vintage best for the Sharks with three goals while Chris Bryan and Shane McDonald played important roles with two goals each to help seal the victory. While the win brought the Sharks to within half a game of fifth spot, the loss came at a…
NEPEAN LEAGUE HOW quickly the wheel can turn in our great game. A fortnight ago, Rye Football Club was on its knees after being thrashed by Frankston Bombers. That loss came on the back of a drubbing against Sorrento and a last quarter capitulation against Red Hill the week before. Rye was on struggle street. Fast forward a couple of weeks and the Demons have beaten top of the table Hastings and turned the tables on premiership fancies Sorrento in consecutive weeks. It was Rye’s first win against Sorrento at Sorrento for more than 10 years. Wins against Hastings and…
PENINSULA LEAGUE KARINGAL came from 30 points down at three quarter time to overrun Mornington in a six point nail biter on Saturday. The Bulls, who had four Under 19s and two Under 17s playing in their team, more than doubled their score in the final quarter, booting six goals to one to run out 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74) winners. Despite having their fair share of the footy in the second and third quarters, the Bulls could not penetrate the scoreboard with both key forwards Leigh Poholke and Chris Hay struggling with leg injuries. However, coach Michael Triep made…
NEPEAN LEAGUE RYE responded to back-to-back lame performances and public criticism on Saturday by bouncing back and knocking over top of the ladder Hastings. The Demons past two performances against Sorrento and Frankston Bombers were 10-plus goal hidings, however, they bounced back in the best way possible on Saturday against the Blues to win comfortably 14.11 (95) to 8.13 (61). And the hierarchy hit back too in response to claims that it was neglecting its junior development program. Although the club did not want to go on the record officially, a number of senior representatives made it very clear that…
PENINSULA LEAGUE THE MPNFL Peninsula Division season effectively became irrelevant on Saturday at Wooralla Drive. Frankston YCW travelled to Mt Eliza for a top of the table clash. What resulted was an embarrassing 94 point drubbing. The Stonecats are just so much better than any other team in the competition right now. That’s something the Stonecats’ brainstrust won’t want to hear, nor the rest of the competition. However, it’s reality. Let’s take the gloss off the promotion of the competition and admit what the whole footy community thinks. Frankston YCW are unbackable favorites for the flag and every other team…
NEPEAN LEAGUE THERE are only six teams who can win the MPNFL Nepean Division flag in 2016. One of the clubs that simply can’t win it is Rye. The Demons were smashed for the second week in succession on Saturday by Frankston Bombers and you can imagine that the wheels are about to fall off. It’s crisis time at RJ Rowley Reserve. The Demons were insipid against Sorrento two weeks ago in front of a packed house, including the 2006 Premiership side. On Saturday at Greg Beck Oval, they were humiliated by 75 points – that’s disgraceful. What’s worse is…
INTERLEAGUE THE MPNFL Sharks will play Geelong FL next year in a bid to claim the title of the best league in Victoria after beating Northern Football League on Saturday. Northern Football League beat the Amateurs last season and the year prior was too good for who many consider to be the best competition, Eastern Football League. Eastern Football league and Geelong Football league were considered the best two sides in the state and went head to head at Geelong on Saturday. The home side was convincing in its victory in that match. The MPNFL Young Guns side travelled to…
NEPEAN LEAGUE RYE are in real trouble after being thrashed by arch rival Sorrento in MPNFL Nepean Division football on Saturday. On a day of celebration for the Demons as they embraced their 2006 premiership heroes on the 10th anniversary, the team on the field let down their past champions with a poor display. The reality is Rye relies too heavily on their top end talent and don’t have the quality at the bottom end to compete with the best in the competition. If you can stop the influence of Adam Kirkwood, Ryan Mullett, Kris Bardon, Nathan Henley and Matt…
INTERLEAGUE THE MPNFL Sharks will tackle the Northern Football League at Rye’s RJ Rowley Reserve this Saturday, starting at 1.45pm. Coach John Hynes and his brainstrust, including Edithvale premiership captain Pat Poore, two-time premiership coach Gavin Artico and former Melbourne player Paul Hopgood, have narrowed the final squad to 31 after round six matches on Saturday. The latest player to withdraw from the squad was inform Somerville defender Scott Simpson for ‘personal reasons’. The MPNFL Sharks will train at Frankston VFL Park this Monday and Wednesday. The final team of 22 will be named on Wednesday night. The leadership squad…
PENINSULA LEAGUE LANGWARRIN proved once again just how tight the MPNFL Peninsula Division competition is when it recorded one of its best victories in recent times. Playing Mornington at Mornington is never a happy hunting ground for most sides, however, the young Kangas came to play, led all afternoon and won 13.16 (94) to 10.11 (71). The Doggies seemed to get their mojo back last week against Chelsea with the return of Michael Gay and Jimmy Cameron, however neither had much influence on Saturday. Langwarrin beast Matty Naughton is considered one of the best big men in the game and…
NEPEAN LEAGUE OFF the field, it was built up as Rosebud Football Club versus former premiership coach Nick Jewell. On the field, it was nothing more than getting the four points for Jewell’s new club Sorrento and the Buds. It went to the wire. One point separated the sides at the final siren after Sorrento controlled the match for the larger part of the contest. However, with Luke Tapscott in hospital after copping a head knock, Nick Muller off the ground with an AC joint injury and Trev Mattison tearing a hamstring, the Sorras could do nothing but hang on…
INTERLEAGUE THE MPNFL Sharks have culled the interleague squad to less than 60 players as preparation continues for the May 21 clash against Northern Football League. Coach John Hynes said despite the fact that the list was starting to be fine-tuned, there were some players who were continuing to be added to the squad. Young Frankston YCW star defender Brenton Credlin has been added to the squad while Dan Gormley from Mt Eliza and Beau McMurray from Dromana has also been added. One player that is not in the squad but demands selection in the first five rounds is Hastings’…
PENINSULA LEAGUE BONBEACH went from being belted by Frankston YCW by 114 points in round four to causing the upset of the season a week later in MPNFL Peninsula Division. Sitting on the bottom of the ladder without a win in 2016, the Sharks headed to Wooralla Drive to tackle an undefeated Mt Eliza. By quarter time it was evident that the Bonbeach side that was hammered by the Stonecats was very different to the one that turned up at the home of the Redlegs. The Sharks had nine scoring shots to one in the opening quarter and by half…
NEPEAN LEAGUE HASTINGS remains unbeaten and on top of the Nepean Division ladder after a fighting victory against Devon Meadows on Saturday. The Blues let a large lead slip in the third quarter and the opposition drew level at one stage, before the Blues settled with a couple of goals and went on to win 17.12 (114) to 14.11 (95). The enigmatic Colin McVeigh had a quiet start to the afternoon but a masterstroke from runner Peter Mereszko saw the Blues star shifted to full forward in the third. The result was two third and two final quarter goals to…
PENINSULA LEAGUE KARINGAL almost doubled its score in the final 16 minutes of the match to draw against Seaford in Peninsula Division football on Saturday. At the 12-and-a-half minute mark of the final quarter at Ballam Park, Tigers’ star Aaron Walton kicked his second goal of the afternoon and put his side 30 points in front. At that stage, it was the biggest margin of the day and a Karingal revival looked remote. However, led by a dominating Grant Goodall in the ruck, Cal Dixon through the middle, Michael Burke in attack and Aaron Paxton and best on ground Duncan…
INTERLEAGUE TWO MPNFL squads have been selected for Victorian Football Championships later this month. The main squad will tackle Northern Football League on Saturday, May 21 at Rye’s RJ Rowley Reserve, while a Young Guns squad will play Yarra Ranges, previously named the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football Netball League. Peninsula region AFL South East League Manager Shaun Connell said this will be a fantastic opportunity for many people in our region to represent the MPFNL. “Whilst in regular season games there are two different leagues it now feels that the Mornington Peninsula community is represented as one,” Connell said.…
NEPEAN LEAGUE THE ANZAC Round of football in Nepean League was soured on Saturday when Tyabb midfielder Adrian Clay was airlifted to hospital. At the 30-second mark of the third quarter in the match between the Yabbies and Sorrento, Clay had his head over the footy and was about to pick it up when a teammate came hard off the square and accidentally hit him in the head. Clay laid motionless on the ground as trainers attended to him. The game was called off a short time later as it was obvious that further medical attention was required to assist…