MPNFL
DIVISION TWO
A HUGE first versus second clash took place at Karingal last weekend.
Ladder leaders Karingal hosted Mornington in what could be a Grand Final preview. The Bulls were looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, and Mornington were looking to prove their premiership credentials.
A goalless first quarter put Karingal on the back foot early. They weren’t able to recover from their poor start.
Mornington led by 13 at half-time, then stretched their lead to 31 by the final break. Karingal made a late charge in the final term, but they weren’t able to close the gap.
Mornington scored a massive win over the ladder leaders 7.7 (49) to 10.8 (68).
Matthew North was one of the Bulldogs’ best on Saturday. He scored three vital goals. Jake Smart also played well. Riley D’Arcy scored four of Karingal’s goals.
With just five games left to play before finals, Karingal finds itself in the middle of a form slump. Their game on Saturday at Devon Meadows looms as an important one.
Edithvale-Aspendale hosted Chelsea on Saturday in a match with huge finals implications.
Both sides have been in the mix for a finals spot throughout the year. Chelsea struck the first blow on Saturday with a six-goal opening term.
Chelsea held onto their lead all day, going into the final term with a 29 point advantage. Edithvale-Aspendale made their run in the last quarter.
Edi-Asp held Chelsea goalless in the final term. They piled on four goals of their own, but just couldn’t get over the line.
They got close, but Edi-Asp ended up falling to Chelsea by three points 10.10 (70) to 11.7 (73). Todd Gardiner, Nicholas Stamatis, and Jacob Spasevski were Chelsea’s best.
The win sees Chelsea go equal on points with Edi-Asp. Chelsea sits sixth place, and only trails Edi-Asp by percentage.
Edithvale-Aspendale and Chelsea are two of three teams who finished the round with 28 points. Pearcedale finished the week seventh on the ladder, behind their finals rivals on percentage, after a good win over Devon Meadows. Pearcedale defeated Devon Meadows 12.16 (88) to 6.7 (43).
Seaford picked up a big win over Hastings on Saturday – 17.11 (113) to 7.14 (56). The round’s other games saw Somerville beat Crib Point by 36 points, and Tyabb beat Rye by 78 points.
First published in the Mornington News – 11th July 2023