MPNFL

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 half-time 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 home-and-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 Walker-Swain, 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.

First published in the Mornington News – 29 August 2023