By Will Jeffares
A six-goal haul from spearhead Matt Johnson has helped steer Frankston to a strong 36-point win over Sandringham on Saturday night in another entertaining ‘Battle of the Bay’ clash at Kinetic Stadium.
The Dolphins held the lead all night but were tested as the Zebras closed within two goals at the final break. However, Jackson Kornberg’s side were able to pull away again in the final term with seven majors to the visitors’ three to record the 15.10 (100) to 9.10 (64) result.
While it was a cold night in Frankston, the contest was a spicy one right from the first bounce, with both sides bringing plenty of heat and pressure around the ball early.
Frankston were able to hold Sandringham goalless in the first term, kicking three of their own, with Matt Johnson, Tarkyn O’Leary and Corey Ellison all getting on the board to hold a 17-point lead at the first break.
The Dolphins had their fourth unanswered major early in the second quarter, with Johnson sneaking home his second after some good work from Ellison in the lead-up.
The Zebras hit back quickly with two in a row to close the gap. Noah Gown hit back with a goal after winning a free kick inside 50 and kicking truly, before cleverly setting up Nick Burke, who made no mistake from the set shot.
Trent Mynott took a courageous mark going back with the flight of the ball, as he slotted an important major to make it three on the trot and open up a 29-point buffer at half time.
Sandringham began to claw back in the third quarter, kicking four goals to one to bridge the gap to just two goals at the final break. Johnson was able to convert his third of the night in between the Zebras’ goals, after being awarded a 50-metre penalty.
He was able to keep his hot streak in front of the big sticks rolling early into the fourth term, getting goal number four, courtesy of another 50-metre penalty, after some fantastic soccer play in the build-up from Tom Blamires.
Lachie Sharp got out the back to get a crucial one for Frankston, while Ellison snapped through his second to get the lead out to 30 points. Johnson got his fifth as the Dolphins began to run away with the result.
The Zebras got one back, before Lochie Reidy soccered through a beauty from range, with the celebration to match, to keep the margin hovering at the six-goal range.
Sandringham kicked two more majors late on to cut the margin to 23 points, before Johnson sailed home goal number six from distance, and Seb Quirk put the cherry on top as the Dolphins ran out 36-point winners.
Quirk was superb all night, especially in the absence of Darby Hipwell, collecting 30 disposals (14 contested), five clearances, one goal and laying nine tackles in a great performance.
Johnson finished with 15 disposals to go along with his six goals, while Nick Burke (one goal, 15 disposals, eight tackles) put in a strong showing.
Ollie Moran (21 disposals, nine intercepts, six marks) was superb down back. Taine Barlow (14 disposals, five marks), Joe Lloyd (12 disposals, four marks), Will Hamill (26 disposals) and Jackson Voss (26 disposals, eight marks) were also amongst the side’s best, as the Frankston defence stood tall.
Tom Murphy (24 disposals, eight marks, five tackles) had fine moments in the midfield, with Tom Blamires (25 disposals) and Blake O’Leary (21 disposals) lively on the night.
Making his first appearance of the season after coming back from injury, George Grey finished with 16 disposals and six tackles, reminding Frankston fans of his immense talents.
With a strong fanbase at Kinetic Stadium, debutant Kobe Askew (13 disposals, six tackles) impressed with his pressure and impact, especially in the final term.
Frankston will face second-placed Box Hill next Saturday afternoon at Box Hill City Oval, with the first bounce at 2:05 PM (AEST).
FRANKSTON 3.2 7.5 8.8 15.10 (100)
SANDRINGHAM 0.3 2.6 6.8 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Johnson 6, Ellison 2, Sharp, Reidy, Quirk, Mynott, T. O’Leary, Gown, Burke
BEST
Quirk, Johnson, Moran, Burke, Murphy, Lloyd, Voss
