By Will Jeffares
Frankston has fallen to a 21-point defeat to Williamstown at Kinetic Stadium in their first game of the Smithy’s VFL season on Friday night in a tight tussle in front of a lively home crowd.
Despite being behind for most of the night, the Dolphins cut the margin to eight points courtesy of a Noah Gown set shot midway through the final term and looked to have the momentum late before two late goals from Williamstown’s Josh Browne and Noah Gadsby sealed the 8.11 (59) to 12.8 (80) victory for the visitors.
Jackson Kornberg’s side showed plenty of promise throughout the contest, with glimpses of their desire to move the football quickly from one end to another on show, however, errors ultimately proved too costly for Frankston.
Despite the result, there was plenty to like from the home side to start the 2024 season, with new faces George Grey (25 disposals, seven marks) and Noah Gown (three goals, eight disposals) showing plenty of positive signs in their first appearances for the Dolphins.
Gown’s imposing figure and ability to create a contest in the Frankston forward line caused headaches for Williamstown at stages, with Grey’s intercepting ability and run out of defence also a highlight.
Seb Quirk (26 disposals, four clearances) put in a great shift in the midfield, placing relentless pressure on the Seagulls’ midfield while also regularly winning his own football. Captain Trent Mynott (21 disposals) and Tom Murphy (one goal, 20 disposals) were also strong, leading the way for Frankston in clearances with five apiece.
Blake O’Leary (16 disposals, five tackles) was influential, putting his craftiness and evasive skills on show to excite Frankston fans.
Two moments were particularly impressive from O’Leary when he weaved around several Williamstown defenders to set up a Matt Johnson set shot, and, in a similar manner, a Lochie Reidy major in the third term.
Frankston will be eager to bounce back in round two, with the Dolphins to face Port Melbourne on Good Friday at 3:05 pm at ETU Stadium.
FRANKSTON 2.3 4.5 7.9 8.11 (59)
WILLIAMSTOWN 3.2 7.3 10.6 12.8 (80)
GOALS
Gown 3, Johnson 2, Reidy, Newnes, Murphy
BEST
Quirk, Grey, Mynott, O’Leary, Murphy, Gown
