By Will Jeffares
EARLY FIXTURE HIGHLIGHTS
ROUND 1
The 2024 Season doesn’t get off to a hotter start in Round 1 for Frankston, with a clash against Williamstown to serve up plenty. Under the lights in front of the home crowd at Kinetic Stadium, littered with plenty of storylines and a fiery final practice match in pre-season has this match-up looking like a beauty to kick off the year.
Round 1: Frankston vs Williamstown @ Kinetic Stadium, 7:35 pm
Previous Result: Frankston 5.17 (47) def. by Williamstown 11.8 (74) @ Kinetic Stadium
ROUND 2
With back-to-back Friday games to start the season, Frankston are set to face Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium on Good Friday at 3:05 pm. In what will be another good test for the Dolphins in Round 2 against The Borough, this shapes as great contest to follow Round 1.
Round 2: Friday, March 29th – Port Melbourne vs Frankston @ ETU Stadium, 3:05 pm.
Previous Result: 13.11 (89) def. by Port Melbourne 16.8 (104) @ Kinetic Stadium
ROUND 8
Frankston will host Sydney at Kinetic Stadium in Round 8. The Swans will be the first AFL affiliate side to make their way down to the Peninsula in the first half of the 2024 VFL season. After a tight tussle last season which resulted in a three-point victory for the Dolphins, Round 8 presents a great opportunity for Frankston to face off against a number of AFL-listed talent in front of the home faithful, once again, under the lights.
Round 8: Friday, May 17th – Frankston vs Sydney Swans @ Kinetic Stadium, 7:05 pm.
Previous Result: 9.6 (60) def. Sydney 7.15 (57) @ Kinetic Stadium
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
George Grey
His first year at Frankston shapes to be a big one for George Grey. The former Casey Demon has already made a big impression on the Club, being appointed vice-captain, and looks set to play a vital role off half-back for new coach Jackson Kornberg. A great user of the football with both feet, Grey was also recently selected in the Smithy’s VFL State Squad, who will face off against the SANFL State Squad on April 6th.
Seb Quirk
Seb Quirk looks destined for more time in the middle in his second year at the Dolphins in 2024. A tough inside player, Quirk particularly showcased his impressive midfield ability for Frankston in their final pre-season hit out against Williamstown, where he looked at home and caught the eye of many who watched the contest.
Noah Gown
A big key forward, Gown joined the side from Sandringham in the off-season and will play a pivotal role in the Frankston forward line. Formerly on Essendon’s AFL list, Gown has a great presence up forward, regularly creating great contests at aerial level and his ability to also hit the scoreboard will be incredibly valuable for the Club in 2024. Also, a member of the Club’s leadership group, Gown has all the traits to become a fan favourite.
COACH’S WORD
Jackson Kornberg – The POD-CAST
“The vibe is pretty high. It’s an exciting time around the Club.”
“It’s been a busy last couple of weeks for the coaches and for the players, but everything is eye’s forward on Williamstown Round 1. We got a good look at them in the practice match just over a week and a half ago. Obviously, there’ll be plans in place for both teams as a result of that.
“We have shifted how we play, and we have shifted the game style that we’re implementing into the team. I think that’s going to take a little bit of time to adjust to the boys and I think we certainly saw a big showing of it against Williamstown and hopefully, our fans and members are excited by what they saw regardless of the [pre-season] results and they’re seeing a different brand of footy that Frankston are playing.
“We really put a premium on creating a really strong environment of, firstly, enjoyment. We want to play in a way that showcases players’ strengths and allow them to play with flair and then I think that folds into the enjoyment element.
“I’m a big believer that fun comes first and then winning follows that. I think a lot of people think you only have fun when you win but I’m of the belief you have to create fun first and then you’re able to have success after that and that’s something we’ve been speaking to the boys about all year.
“That then bleeds into that energy and that enthusiasm and the intensity in the game and hopefully that shows with how we move the ball. Not only how we move the ball but how we defend as well. We want to be a really strong defensive side that’s able to win the ball back as quick as possible so that we can then impact on the scoreboard to a high level.”
FRANKSTON FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYING LIST 2024
1. Noah Gown 2. Lochie Reidy 3. Taine Barlow 4. Max Williams 5. Tom Murphy 6. George Grey (VC) 7. Tomoya Owens 8. Josh Butland 9. Colby Nayna 10. Blake O’Leary 11. Seb Quirk 12. Trent Mynott (C) 13. Jackson Voss 14. Jack Newnes 15. Tyson Milne 16. Harrison Coe 17. Nick Burke 18. Joe Lloyd (VC) 19. Angus Grant 20. Alec McComb 21. Lachie Riley 22. Connor Riley 23. Ryan Jacobs 24. Matt Johnson 25. Josh Smith 26. Taj Campbell-Farrell 27. William Kennedy 28. Ollie Moran 29. Kyle Stainthorpe 30. Trent Marotta 32. Matthew Nelson 33. Josh Stern 35. Justin Davies 36. Matt Aldous 37. Darcy Gilbert 38. Josh Mounter 39. Harrison Jones 40. Jeremy Burton 41. Jet Peckett 42. Troy Maggs 43. Jesse McManus 44. Tom Roberts 45. Denver Lund 47. Lachie Sharp
