By Will Jeffares
Frankston has returned to the winners’ list in thrilling fashion after holding off a late Essendon surge to record a vital six-point victory on Saturday night at Kinetic Stadium.
Despite keeping the Bombers scoreless and holding a 29-point advantage at the first break, the visitors fought back into the contest to bring it back within a kick late in the final quarter, but the Dolphins were able to hang on and secure the 9.12 (66) to 9.6 (60) result.
Lachie Riley kick-started a dominant first term for Frankston, snapping home an early opener before Trent Mynott doubled the tally moments later, steering it through from the set shot.
Kobe Askew kept the hot start going, roving the pack to perfection to dribble through the Dolphins’ third of the night, as Clayton Gay took a strong mark inside 50 before being awarded a 50-metre penalty to make a certainty of it, making it four in a row for the home side.
As the quarter-time siren sounded, Frankston held a 29-point advantage, kicking 4.5 (29) to 0.0 (0). The Dolphins recorded a whopping 22 inside 50s to the Bombers’ two but were unable to fully capitalise on their dominance with a few missed chances.
Essendon got things back on track with an early second-quarter major to open their account. Corey Ellison converted his first to reestablish the healthy Frankston advantage, before the Bombers began to charge back with two in a row.
Mynott had the ball land straight in his lap after an Essendon turnover, as he went back to slot a crucial goal late, making it two for the skipper. However, the visitors would get two quick late majors to cut the margin back to just eight points at the main break.
The Bombers would get the first of the second half to make it just a one-point game,but two much-needed majors from Ellison and Alec McComb gave Frankston some breathing space as the margin extended to 14 points.
An instant response from Essendon made things edgy again for the home supporters until a second for Gay had the lead back to 13 points at three-quarter time.
Both sides’ defensive groups stood tall in a tough final term with no room for error. An Essendon goal opened the scoring for the quarter as the margin got back to nine points, but the following 20 minutes played out as a stalemate, with neither side able to put further scoreboard pressure on the other.
Another goal for the Bombers late, however, set up a big finish as they closed within a kick of the Dolphins, but it wasn’t enough as Frankston ran out six-point winners.
Tom Murphy starred for Frankston around the ball, finishing with 30 disposals, eight marks, six tackles and four clearances. Trent Mynott was also superb, particularly in the first half, ending the night with two goals, 29 disposals, six marks and three clearances.
Jackson Voss (32 disposals, six marks, nine intercept possessions) put in yet another great performance, as did the returning Darby Hipwell, who slotted seamlessly back into Jackson Kornberg’s side to tally a team-high 36 disposals (18 contested), six clearances and seven intercepts.
Harrison Coe was also amongst the side’s best in the ruck, with the big man racking up 21 touches (17 contested), 20 hit outs and led the Dolphins with eight clearances.
Taine Barlow (21 disposals, nine marks, eight intercepts), Ollie Moran (20 disposals, eight marks, six intercepts)and Joe Lloyd (12 disposals, four marks, eight intercepts) continue to impress down back as the trio all put in great showings. Will Hamill was also lively, finishing with 23 disposals and six marks.
The important games keep on coming for the now 12th-placed Frankston, with a big clash against 11th-placed Coburg up next at Barry Plant Park on Sunday afternoon. The first bounce is scheduled at 1:05 PM (AEST).
FRANKSTON 4.5 6.6 9.7 9.12 (66)
ESSENDON 0.0 5.4 7.6 9.6 (60)
GOALS
Mynott 2, Gay 2, Ellison 2, Riley, McComb, Askew
BEST
Mynott, Murphy, Voss, Hipwell, Coe, Barlow
