By Will Jeffares
Another strong performance from Frankston has seen them hold off a spirited Coburg side at Kinetic Stadium on Friday night to make it three wins in a row for Jackson Kornberg’s side, with the Dolphins rising to 4th on the ladder thanks to the 11.10 (76) to 8.11 (59) result.
In front of a strong turnout of fans from both sides under the lights at Frankston, the home side never trailed in the contest and put in another diligent workmanlike performance to secure the 17-point victory.
Right from the first bounce, the pressure and intensity levels were up from both sides, taking nearly 10 minutes before the first major of the contest was kicked, courtesy of a Nick Burke set shot after getting on the end of a high ball inside 50.
It would be Burke again to kick his and Frankston’s second of the match, slotting a running goal from 50 that bounced through after some great build-up play from Lochie Reidy, which had the home side leading by nine points at the first break.
Key forward Noah Gown opened the scoring in the second term, kicking truly from a set shot, before the visitors responded in quick fashion through Josh D’Intinosante to get the margin back under 10 points.
Burke would then convert his set shot to kick his third of the first half, which was quickly followed by a second from Gown after winning himself a freekick inside 50 to push the margin to 20 points. However, a late goal from the Lions would have the Dolphins’ lead cut to 14 at the main break.
A strong mark and conversion from Gown had his goal tally matched with Burke at three, while Matt Johnson made a difficult set shot look easy to extend the side’s lead to 25 points early in the third.
Consecutive goals from D’Intinosante, however, had Coburg back within two goals but a late Jack Newnes major sailed over a few heads to give Frankston some breathing room headed into the final term.
But it would be Jackson Voss who had the home fans on their feet, launching for a great hanger on the wing right on the siren in front of The Hill, much to the delight of the home fans.
Blake O’Leary gave the Dolphins the perfect start to the last quarter with a great finish from just inside the arc within 30 seconds. Harrison Coe used his body well to clunk a strong mark and convert his first of the night to open up a game-high 35 points.
Coburg would then kick the last three of the match to tighten up the contest and eat into the margin but it would ultimately prove too late for the visitors.
Voss was superb on the night, collecting 23 disposals as well as hauling in seven marks including his spectacular leap. While Tyson Milne (23 disposals, 10 marks) continued his strong vein of form in defence to start the year.
Seb Quirk collected an equal team-high 28 disposals and seven clearances in a great display through the midfield as George Grey matched Quirk’s disposal tally of 28 to go along with seven marks and four clearances of his own.
After some strong form for Rye in the MPFNL, Taj Campbell-Farrell was promising on debut for Frankston, finishing with 17 disposals and four clearances. The big-bodied midfielder also applied relentless pressure around the football, laying 12 tackles. Fellow midfielder Tom Murphy (18 disposals, five tackles) was also lively in the middle.
Burke and Gown led the way with three goals apiece as both proved to be important cogs in the Dolphin’s forward line throughout the contest, finishing with 11 and nine disposals respectively.
Blake O’Leary (one goal, 20 disposals), Lochie Reidy (17 disposals, six tackles), and Tomo Owens (one goal, 15 disposals) were useful contributors for the home side, with Colby Nayna’s (eight tackles) ability to put immense pressure on the opposition also a big feature on the night.
Taine Barlow stood tall in defence to finish with 15 disposals and five marks, demonstrating his growth in a more intercepting role down back for Frankston.
Head Coach Jackson Kornberg said the positivity and enjoyment from his side has been crucial to the strong early season results.
“They’re not having fun because we’re winning – we’re winning because they’re having fun. The fun always comes first.”
The Dolphins will now face a strong test against an in-form Geelong outfit, who themselves are coming off three consecutive wins, including a 101-point demolition of Carlton over the weekend.
With the Cats sitting just one place below Frankston in 5th on the ladder, the match will take place at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday, May 5th with the first bounce scheduled at 1:05 pm.
FRANKSTON 2.4 5.6 9.7 11.10 (76)
COBURG 1.1 3.4 5.8 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Gown 3, Burke 3, Owens, O’Leary, Newnes, Johnson, Coe
BEST
Voss, Burke, Milne, Quirk, Grey
