By Will Jeffares
Frankston has climbed back inside the top 10 with their second consecutive win after a hard-fought 28-point victory over the Northern Bullants on Saturday afternoon at Genis Steel Oval.
It was the seventh win of the season so far for Jackson Kornberg’s side, the most the Club has recorded in a season since 2008 when the side last made finals.
It was the second time the two sides had faced each other this season – with the Dolphins running away 51-point winners at Kinetic Stadium in Round 4 – but, due to the tough conditions, it was a much scrappier encounter this time around as Frankston held off a spirited Bullants side to record the 10.4 (64) to 13.14 (92) result.
In what is becoming a familiar theme for the Dolphins, it was a strong start for the side as they gained early dominance around the contest but were unable to translate it on the scoreboard, ruing a few missed chances before Lachie Sharp won himself a freekick inside 50 and kicked the opener.
A slick team move ended in the hands of Harrison Coe, who converted his first of the afternoon before the Bullants got one back against the run of play in quick fashion.
Another great end-to-end transition was finished off by Blake O’Leary, whose shot just snuck through for a major, as Frankston went into the first break 16-point leaders.
It was a strong performance by Frankston in a second term that started perfectly as Coe kicked truly from the set shot for his second of the contest after being awarded the freekick inside the first minute of the term.
Trent Mynott then got in on the action, launching a superb set shot from beyond the arc to extend the Dolphins’ lead to 30 points.
Matt Johnson cancelled out a Bullants major with another long bomb that bounced through for his first of the game, with Sharp snapping through his second just moments later after a quick centre clearance from the Dolphins.
Sharp would get his third, again not long after, thanks to another quick transition from one end to the other to have the Frankston lead sitting at 42 points at the main break, capping off a five-goal to-one term for the visitors.
It would prove a much more difficult second half for Frankston, however, as the determined Bullants flew out of the gates with three consecutive goals in the opening 10 minutes to cut the margin back to 24 points.
Johnson would get his second, and the Dolphins’ much-needed first of the term, after some great work from both Mynott and Sharp before the Bullants answered back to keep the margin at four goals.
There was a sense of déjà vu soon after, as Johnson’s third was again quickly cancelled out by the persistent home side as Frankston held onto a 27-point lead entering the final quarter.
Johnson continued where he left off in front of the big sticks, kicking two early consecutive goals, with the latter coming via a brilliant snap from the pocket, to bring his tally to five as the Dolphins opened up a 39-point lead.
After the Bullants kicked their first of the term, Johnson would take his haul to six with another great snap from the same pocket. The Bullants would kick the final two majors of the contest as Frankston ran out 28-point winners.
Frankston’s in-form midfield trio of Trent Mynott, Tom Murphy and Seb Quirk were again influential, with all three eclipsing their season-highs for disposals. Mynott (one goal, 32 disposals, 13 marks, seven clearances) was everywhere in a best-on-ground display, while Murphy (31 disposals, six clearances) and Quirk (30 disposals, six clearances, five tackles) were pivotal in the middle of the ground.
Matt Johnson’s six goals saw him up climb into equal third for The Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal, bringing his season tally to 31 and now sitting just five goals behind leader Billy Gowers. The crafty forwards’ smarts around goal caught the eye again, getting involved both up the ground and deep inside 50 as he finished with 15 disposals to go along with his haul.
George Grey’s return from injury was a welcome sight for Frankston fans, with the dashing defender everywhere early in the contest to finish with 21 disposals and eight marks. As the ever-reliable Jackson Voss (25 disposals, four clearances) was also a strong contributor in the back six.
Lachie Sharp (three goals, nine disposals, four marks) put in a well-rounded display as he continues his impressive season up forward, with Blake O’Leary (one goal, 25 disposals) also one of Frankston’s best on the day.
Ollie Moran (18 disposals, six marks) put in his best performance of the season, while Tyson Milne (23 disposals) and Harrison Coe (two goals, 10 disposals) were both lively for the Dolphins.
The win now sees Frankston sitting in 10th place on the ladder and will be eager to make it three wins in a row as they take on the Casey Demons on Saturday afternoon back at Kinetic Stadium with the first bounce at 1:05 pm AEST.
NORTHERN BULLANTS 1.1 2.3 7.310.4 (64)
FRANKSTON 3.5 8.9 10.12 13.14 (92)
GOALS
Johnson 6, Sharp 3, Coe 2, O’Leary, Mynott
BEST
Mynott, Johnson, Murphy, Quirk, O’Leary
