MPFNL
WOMEN’S DIV ONE SEN
MORNINGTON seniors women’s team have secured their second premiership in two years, going back-to-back against their nemesis, Warragul Industrials.
Despite winning the flag last year, Mornington were facing a team that hadn’t lost a match all season, but a team they knew well having met them the last two years in the grand final.
But Warragul’s 2026 season had been sublime. Their flawless record was in contrast with Mornington who had a record of 12 wins and four losses.
Warragul won the toss and elected to kick towards the Young Street end of Kinetic Stadium, which would leave them kicking into the lowering sun in the final term.
The Nepean Highway end, though, proved to be the scoring end, and Mornington were quickly out of the blocks in the first quarter.
Tenae Browne was the first to strike for Mornington, kicking a goal in less than three minutes. This was backed up by another goal by Browne with 4.30 left on the clock.
The Bulldog girls had six through the sticks in the first term, going into the first break at 2.4 (16) to the Dusties’ 0.2 (2).
The game continued in the second quarter, much like the first, see-sawing through the midfield, with the ball occasionally finding its way to a forward 50.
Mornington managed a couple of points, but not another major until eight minutes before the end of the term when Browne again put one through the big sticks. Warragul were now facing a 21-point deficit and hadn’t managed to kick a single goal.
That changed with 4.30 to go in the term when the Dusties’ kicked their first and the Warragul supporters in the crowd let it be known that the Dusties were there to play.
With no other scores after the Warragul goal, the teams went into the long break at 3.5 (23) for Mornington and 1.3 (9) for Warragul; a lead of 14 points in the Bulldogs’ favour.
The war of attrition continued in the third term, with both teams showing strength in their midfields, and solid defence when the ball strayed in the to 50.
The Bulldogs managed a point at the five-and-a-half-minute mark, and then a goal at the seven-minute mark to pull away to a 21-point lead.
Warragul had a prime opportunity with less than ten minutes remaining on the clock only to put the ball into the post for a minor score. That miss was their only score for the quarter, and they went into three-quarter time 20 points down, and kicking into the sun for the final term.
But the Dusties came out firing in the final quarter. Only 90 seconds had ticked down when they scored their first goal for the quarter; only their second for the day.
Only a couple of minutes later, they slotted their second, and we had a match on our hands. There were still sixteen minutes on the clock, the Industrials were on a roll, and the margin had been trimmed to only eight points.
Mornington needed to steady.
The game continued to see-saw in the mid-field. Mornington managed to get within scoring range before a Warragul free kick allowed them to clear.
With 11 minutes to go, Stella Rogers kicked a goal for Mornington, giving the Bulldogs a bit of breathing space stretching their lead out to 14-points.
Another attempt on goal for Mornington, with 8.40 to go, fell short and Warragul managed to clear it from danger.
Warragul weren’t finished yet and continued to show the pressure that had secured them top spot on the ladder for 2026.
With just under five minutes to go, they managed a point to bring the margin back to 13-points, and thirty seconds later kicked a goal to bring the margin back to seven.
So after kicking seven points in 30 seconds, the Dusties needed seven more in a bit over four minutes to pull level with Mornington.
Both sides dug deep, with Warragul desperately trying to attack, and Mornington holding them out. In the end, the final siren sounded without another score, and Mornington clinched the win by seven points.
While it may have been a quiet trip back to Warragul, the Dusties should be proud of their near-flawless season, and they will no doubt be contenders for the flag again in 2027.
For Mornington, the strength of women’s senior teams is not an overnight achievement, and the club has put in the hard yards developing girls football up through the age groups through their affiliation with Mornington Junior Football Club.
The investment shows, with some of the Under 18 girls playing for the seniors and reserves women this year, and a strong pipeline of talent coming up through the ranks of both the junior and senior clubs.
Mornington now have the opportunity next year to play for a third seniors flag in a row.
MEN’S DIV ONE SEN
DEVON Meadows secured an unexpected win against Mt Eliza on Saturday (15 August) in Men’s Division One Seniors.
In the first quarter, the Panthers took the lead after scoring 3.2 to the Redlegs’ 2.1.
Devon Meadows scored a further 3.2 in the second quarter, with Mt Eliza scoring 3.1, leaving Devon Meadows ahead by eight points at the long break.
In the third, the Panthers remained in the lead by scoring another three majors while holding the Redlegs to two, stretching their lead to 14 points by the final break.
Mt Eliza managed to win the final quarter by scoring 3.3 to Devon Meadows’ 2.1, but it wasn’t enough with the final scores 11.7 (73) to 10.7 (67), handing Devon Meadows victory by six points.
Dromana’s home ground advantage did not help them in their clash against Frankston YCW.
The Tigers struggled to score in the first quarter, only scoring three points in the opening quarter while the Stonecats’ put on 3.4.
In the second, Dromana scored 3.2 to Frankston YCW’s 1.5, leaving ten points between the teams at half time.
There were only two points in it at three quarter time, after Dromana slotted one more major than the Stonecats for the quarter.
In the final quarter, the Tigers were unable to score while the Stonecats scored 2.2 (14), leaving the Stonecats (7.11) to beat the Tigers (5.7) by 16 points.
Rosebud maintained their spot on top of the ladder after their win against Edithvale-Aspendale.
The ’Buds shot into the lead in the first quarter after scoring 6.3 (39) to the Eagles’ 2.2 (14).
Rosebud continued to climb in the second quarter, scoring 6.2 to Edi-Asp’s 2.5, separating the teams by 46 points.
In the third quarter, the ’Buds scored 2.2 to the Eagles’ 1.2.
Edi-Asp managed to win the final quarter after scoring 5.1 to Rosebud’s three points, but Rosebud were still able to secure a 24 point win over Edi-Asp 14.10 (94) to 10.10 (70).
Curtis Taylor scored five goals for Rosebud. Nathan Wright scored six goals for Edi-Asp.
Langwarrin secured an easy win against Pines maintaining their second spot after Rosebud, five games clear of third-placed Mt Eliza.
The scores were close in the first quarter, with Pines scoring 1.1 and Langwarrin scoring 1.5.
The Kangaroos began to jump into the lead in the second after scoring 4.4 to the Pythons’ 2.1.
In the third quarter, Langwarrin’s total continued to skyrocket after they scored 7.8 to Pines’ 1.2, giving them a 61-point advantage going into the final break.
The Kangaroos maintained their lead in the final quarter after scoring 5.3 to the Pythons’ 1.2. The final score was the Kangaroos, 17.20 (122) beating the Pythons, 5.6 (36), by 86 points.
Mornington were able to beat Sorrento in their clash.
The Bulldogs took an early lead after scoring 6.5 to the Sharks’ 2.1 in the first quarter.
In the second, Mornington continued to climb, scoring 4.3 to Sorrento’s 2.3, taking a 40-point margin into the long break.
The Sharks dominated the third quarter after scoring 3.6 to the Bulldogs’ 1.1, reducing the margin to 23-points at the final break.
In the final quarter, Sorrento managed a further 4.2 to Mornington’s 2.5, leaving Mornington, 13.14 (92), to beat Sorrento, 11.12 (78), by 14 points.
With one round to go, Rosebud and Langwarrin are sitting well-clear on top of the ladder.
Mt. Eliza, Dromana and Frankston YCW make up the top five looking to progress to finals. The only teams with a chance to sneak in are Devon Meadows and Edi-Asp, depending on the outcome of next week’s games. MPFNL
MEN’S DIV TWO SEN
CHELSEA have finished in top spot on the ladder after the Men’s Division Two Seniors regular season.
Coming in second, one win behind, were Somerville, and then Red Hill in third, one win behind Somerville.
On Saturday (15 August) Red Hill dominated in their clash against Karingal.
In the first quarter, Red Hill came out of the gates strong, scoring 5.1 to Karingal’s 2.2.
The quarter before the long break saw Red Hill’s score climb even further, as Red Hill scored 9.1 while keeping Karingal scoreless, to take a 72-point lead into the break.
Karingal were able to score one point in the third quarter but it was not enough to stop Red Hill, who scored a further 7.3.
In the final quarter, Karingal scored 1.1 to Red Hill’s 7.6. This resulted in Red Hill, 28.11 (179), beating Karingal, 3.4 (22), by 157 points.
Top placed Chelsea suffered their third loss of the season at the hands of second placed Somerville.
In the first quarter the scores were close, with Somerville leading after scoring 2.5 to Chelsea’s 2.1.
The scores remained close in the second quarter after Somerville scored six minor scores and Chelsea 1.3, leaving Somerville to lead by one point at the long break.
Somerville began to take a larger lead in the third quarter scoring 4.4 to Chelsea’s 2.1.
In the final quarter, Somerville scored a further 6.4 to Chelsea’s 2.0 (12), leaving Somerville, 12.19 (91), to beat Chelsea, 7.5 (47) by 44 points.
After a close game, Seaford managed to secure a win against Bonbeach.
Seaford took the lead in the first quarter after scoring 4.4 to Bonbeach’s 2.1.
At the end of the second, Seaford only led the game by four points after scoring 1.2 to Bonbeach’s 3.1.
Bonbeach managed to take the lead in the third quarter after scoring 5.1 to Seaford’s 1.1.
In the final quarter, Seaford managed to score 4.3 while Bonbeach only managed to score two points.
The final result was Seaford grabbing the win by five points, 10.5 (65) to 10.10 (70).
Liam Hulett scored three goals for Bonbeach. Archie Hough scored three goals for Seaford.
Rye managed to beat Crib Point in their clash by a single point.
In the first quarter, Rye managed to take the lead after scoring 5.3 to Crib Point’s two straigh goals.
Rye maintained their lead in the second quarter after scoring 1.3 to Crib Point’s 4.2, leaving only four points between the teams.
In the third quarter, Rye scored 1.3 to Crib Point’s 1.2.
In the final quarter, Rye were able to score 2.3 while Crib Point were able to score 3.1. The final scores were 9.12 (66) to 10.5 (65).
Frankston Bombers were able to secure a win against Pearcedale.
Pearcedale took the lead in the first quarter after scoring 4.3 to the Bombers’ 2.3.
In the quarter before the long break the Bombers claimed the lead, scoring 3.4 and holding Pearcedale to a single point.
The Bombers started to fly into the lead in the third quarter after scoring 6.2 to Pearcedale’s three straight goals. The Bombers held a 29-point margin at the final break.
In the final quarter, the Bombers scored 2.2 to Pearcedale’s 2.3, leaving the Bombers (13.11) beating Pearcedale (9.7) by 28 points.
Hastings were able to utilise their home ground advantage to win against Tyabb.
In the first quarter Hastings led by a goal after scoring 1.3 to Tyabb’s 0.3.
The scores were still close in the second quarter, as Hastings scored 2.3 to Tyabb’s 2.1, leaving eight points between the teams.
Hastings began establish a clearer lead in the third quarter, allowing Tyabb to score 1.2 while scoring 5.2 themselves.
Tyabb were able to score 2.2 in the final quarter while Hastings scored 6.5, leading to Hastings, 14.13 (97) beating Tyabb, 5.8 (38) by 59 points.
With the regular season over, Somerville will meet Red Hill next week in the qualifying final and Seaford will come up against Frankston Bombers in the elimination final.
Top of the table Chelsea get a well-earned rest.
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES
DIVISION ONE MENS SENIORS
Saturday 22 August, 2pm:
Dromana v Devon Meadows – Dromana Recreation Reserve
Mt. Eliza v Edithvale-Aspendale – Emil Madsen Reserve
Frankston YCW v Sorrento – John Coburn Oval
Langwarrin v Mornington – Lloyd Park
Rosebud v Pines – Olympic Park Rosebud
DIVISION ONE MENS RESERVES
Saturday 22 August, 12pm:
Dromana v Devon Meadows – Dromana Recreation Reserve
Mt. Eliza v Edithvale-Aspendale – Emil Madsen Reserve
Frankston YCW v Sorrento – John Coburn Oval
Langwarrin v Mornington – Lloyd Park
Rosebud v Pines – Olympic Park Rosebud
DIVISION TWO MENS SENIORS
Saturday 22 August, 2.15pm:
Somerville v Red Hill – Pearcedale Recreation Reserve – Qualifying Final
Sunday 23 August, 2.15pm:
Seaford v Frankston Bombers – Somerville Football Club – Elimination Final
DIVISION TWO MENS RESERVES
Saturday 22 August, 12pm:
Somerville v Frankston Bombers – Pearcedale Recreation Reserve – Qualifying Final
Sunday 23 August, 12pm:
Crib Point v Pearcedale – Somerville Football Club – Elimination Final
