By Will Jeffares
An impressive four-quarter performance from Frankston has given the Dolphins their first victory of 2024, cruising to a 25-point win over Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium on Good Friday afternoon.
It was Frankton’s first victory at Port Melbourne since 2006, and the visitors set the tone early, putting relentless pressure on the Port ball carriers and, while not rewarded on the scoreboard through inaccuracy, dominated the territory on their way to the 11.5 (71) to 13.18 (96) victory.
The Dolphins’ willingness to transition the ball from one end to the other paid dividends, regularly stretching Port’s defence to set up teammates and hit the scoreboard.
Opening majors to Noah Gown and Josh Butland had Frankston off to a hot start, with Tom Murphy impressing early in the midfield and around stoppages, including racking up seven disposals within the first 10 minutes of the contest.
Frankston’s inability to convert their early first-half dominance into goals would have been a source of frustration for Jackson Kornberg’s side. However, late majors from Butland and skipper Trent Mynott to end the half, had the margin sitting at 18 points at the main break.
Butland continued his goalkicking form early in the third quarter, cleverly snapping home two goals to extend the Dolphins’ lead to 29 points before a late push from Port had the margin back to 14 points at the final change.
However, a fantastic checkside from the pocket from Colby Nayna, two majors from Jack Newnes, and a Lochie Reidy bomb had the margin out to a game-high 37 points halfway through the fourth term.
A fifth major for Butland was sandwiched between a few late goals from the home side to seal the impressive first victory for the 2024 season.
Frankston led Port in clearances (45-44), inside 50’s (60-50) and disposals (337-331), with the midfield trio of Murphy, Mynott and Seb Quirk all impressing throughout the contest.
Quirk (24 disposals, five tackles, eight clearances) continued his fine form in the middle for the Dolphins, and, alongside Mynott (19 disposals, one goal, eight clearances) and Murphy (29 disposals, nine clearances), the trio combined for 25 clearances.
Butland (five goals, 13 disposals, five marks) was superb up forward and showed his prowess both aerially and at ground level. Butland worked well in tandem with Matt Johnson (one goal, 11 disposals, seven marks) to cause headaches inside the forward 50, with Gownand Trent Marotta also providing a strong presence.
Newnes (two goals, 16 disposals) showed his elite talent and craftiness around the ground, while defenders Tyson Milne (21 disposals, eight marks) and George Grey (21 disposals, seven marks) impressed, helping kick start several offensive moves for Frankston.
Blake O’Leary (21 disposals, seven marks) backed up his strong Round One performance with another clever game, using his evasiveness and foot skills to great use all day.
Frankston now faces a two-week bye due to next week’s state league game followed by a Round Three bye before returning to action in Round Four against the Northern Bullants at Kinetic Stadium on Friday, April 19th, with the first bounce at 7:35 pm.
PORT MELBOURNE 1.1 3.4 7.5 11.5 (71)
FRANKSTON 2.6 5.10 8.13 13.18 (96)
GOALS
Butland 5, Newnes 2, Reidy, Nayna, Mynott, Marotta, Johnson, Gown
BEST
Murphy, Butland, O’Leary, Mynott, Quirk Grey
