By Will Jeffares
A spirited second-half performance from Frankston has seen them overcome a 27-point quarter-time deficit to secure an electric 24-point victory over Carlton, with the win propelling the Dolphins into fourth position on the ladder with a fortnight of VFL football remaining.
Despite the Dolphins taking the lead early in the final quarter, the Blues fought back to hit the front halfway through the term, before a late four-goal surge saw Jackson Kornberg’s side run away with the 15.8 (98) to 11.8 (74) result.
It wasn’t the ideal start to the contest that Frankston would’ve wanted, as Carlton put through the first of the night in the opening minutes.
The Dolphins would respond through a Lachie Riley snap, but two more for the Blues extended their early lead.
Matt Johnson snapped home a second for Frankston. However, a further three Carlton majors had the visitors’ lead sitting at 27 points at the first break, as Frankston weren’t able to get things on their terms during the opening half an hour.
The second quarter got off to an ideal start for the Dolphins after Noah Gown won a freekick inside 50 and put through his first of the night.
Ten minutes later, George Grey soccered through a second goal of the quarter for a much-improved Frankston, cutting the margin back to 16 points. The Blues would get one on the board to extend their lead as they entered half-time with a 21-point buffer.
Taj Campbell-Farrell marked his return to the side with a great leap on the eve of half-time, much to the delight of the home faithful.
Gown kicked off the third term in a similar fashion as he started the second, earning himself a freekick before kicking truly to bring it back to 15 points. However, some ill-discipline in the Frankston defence allowed the Blues to capitalise, pushing the margin back to 21 points.
Bailey Lambert converted a quick response, as Corey Ellison made it two in a row for the home side, cutting the margin back to under two goals. Darby Hipwell continued the run of goals for the Dolphins to bring it back within a kick.
Carlton kicked a steadier late to push it back to a nine-point game. However, Blake O’Leary stepped up to make it just a three-point difference at the final break to set up a massive final term in the context of Frankston’s season.
It didn’t take long for the Dolphins to continue to assert their ascendancy on the contest, as they hit the front early via Ellison’s second before Grey slotted a great running goal for his second to make it two in a minute as Kinetic Stadium erupted.
An off-the-ball freekick to the Blues against the run of play got them back within a kick, as the frustrations continued for Frankston with another freekick, and resulting 50-metre penalty, allowing Carlton to snatch back the lead.
Gown got things back on the Dolphins’ terms, dribbling through goal number three to put his side back in front at the 23rd minute mark of the term.
Ollie Moran launched a bomb from beyond the arc to make it a two-goal game, while Nick Burke tumbled home the sealer to put the margin out to three goals.
Grey put the cherry on top, slotting another major on the run, right on the siren, for his third and to confirm the 24-point victory in front of a boisterous home crowd.
In the absence of Tom Murphy and Jackson Voss, George Grey and Will Hamill stood up with fantastic performances on an important night for Frankston.
Grey, who has endured an interrupted season, was best afield as he finished with three crucial goals, 22 disposals (11 contested), five clearances and nine inside 50s. His positive drive by foot was superb throughout the contest, kick-starting several Frankston forays forward.
Similarly strong with his line-breaking ability, Hamill tallied 25 disposals, five tackles and three inside 50s as well as having 10 intercept possessions in a great performance.
Tom Blamires continues to make his mark out on the field, putting in a strong showing to finish with 28 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances. With Darby Hipwell (one goal, 16 disposals, 10 contested possessions, and five tackles) also amongst the side’s best.
Ollie Moran and Taine Barlow were superb down back for the Dolphins. Moran finished with 19 disposals, eight marks (two contested), four inside 50s, six intercepts and a massive goal, while Barlow had 18 disposals (10 contested), five marks and 12 intercepts as he cemented his case as one of the league’s best interceptors.
Big man duo Noah Gown and Harrison Coe were a handful around the ground for Carlton, with both winning five free kicks each.
Coe continues to impress in the number one ruck role and stuffed the stat sheet with a well-rounded display, with his aerial dominance a particularly eye-catching attribute, as he recorded 18 disposals (13 contested) at 94% efficiency, six marks (four contested), five clearances, 24 hit outs and six intercept possessions, with four of his six marks being intercepts.
Gown finished with three goals, 12 disposals (nine contested), four marks, four tackles, nine hit outs and three clearances. The spearhead made his presence felt around the ground, demonstrating a great ability to pinch-hit in the ruck effectively while hitting the scoreboard when inside 50.
Frankston will head to Arden Street Oval on Sunday afternoon to take on North Melbourne, with the Dolphins looking to stamp their top four credentials. The first bounce is scheduled at 2:05 PM (AEST).
FRANKSTON 2.1 4.2 9.4 15.8 (98)
CARLTON 6.4 7.5 9.7 11.8 (74)
GOALS
Gown 3, Grey 3, Ellison 2, Lambert, B. O’Leary, Moran, Johnson, Hipwell, Riley, Burke
BEST
Grey, Gown, Coe, Hamill, Barlow, Blamires
