By Will Jeffares
Frankston has made it four wins on the trot to stay in the top 10 after another important 28-point victory over Coburg at Piranha Park on Sunday afternoon in trying conditions.
With wind and rain affecting the contest, and goals hard to come by, a late flurry of majors in the second term for the Dolphins helped set up the 5.11 (41) to 9.15 (69) result, with two vital rounds left to play in the home and away season as Frankston chase a spot in the finals.
It was a heavily contested affair all afternoon between the two sides, with pressure around the ball the name of the game as both teams eclipsed their season averages for tackles. The Dolphins laid 81 tackles for the game (+12 on their average of 69), with Nick Burke (10), Taj Campbell-Farrell (nine), Seb Quirk and Tom Murphy (both eight) leading the way for the side.
It was a low-scoring affair for most of the first half, with Blake O’Leary kicking the first of the match, after getting on the end of Murphy’s kick inside 50 to run into an open goal. The early sunshine then turned to dark clouds as the heavens opened up in Coburg, with the Lions kicking their first just after the 20th-minute mark as they lead at quarter time by the smallest of margins.
While the rain eased off heading into the second, the slippery conditions resulted in a scrappy stalemate to start the term before Noah Gown won himself a freekick inside 50 and kicked truly from the set shot from a tight angle to open the scoring for the quarter 17 minutes in.
Matt Johnson caught fire late in the term to continue his hot streak in front of the big sticks, converting a hattrick set shots in just over five minutes of play to open up a much-needed 28-point buffer at halftime as the Dolphins held Coburg goalless for the quarter.
The second half began with a flurry of goals as both sides kicked two apiece within the opening six minutes.
Coburg got off to a fast start, getting one back in the opening 30 seconds before Frankston made it two in a minute after O’Leary slid home his second and George Grey converted on the run to push the margin beyond five goals. The Lions would respond soon after, before scoring dried up for both sides. The home side would kick another major nearly 20 minutes after the last to have the Frankston lead cut back to 20 points at the final break.
Coburg got their third consecutive major early in the fourth, as they had the margin sitting at just 14 points. Frankston would get a much-needed goal through Grey, who kicked his second before Jack Newnes got out the back to dribble home the sealer as Frankston secured the win.
Tyson Milne was great coming out of defence for Frankston, generating several offensive moves from his rebounding ability and cleanliness as he finished with a team-high 28 disposals and six marks in a strong performance.
Seb Quirk (23 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances), Taj Campbell-Farrell (21 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances), and Trent Mynott (22 disposals, five marks, three clearances) were all big contributors in the middle. Their ability to both win the football while also applying plenty of defensive pressure on the opposition was vital in the conditions.
Small forward Nick Burke (14 touches, 10 tackles, four clearances) was lively for the visitors as he led the team for tackles, as Blake O’Leary (two goals, 19 disposals) showed off his craftiness both in front of goal and around the contest.
George Grey (23 disposals) showed off his ability going forward with two majors, while Matt Johnson’s three goals pushed him into second place for the ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal. Jackson Voss (20 disposals) and Lochie Reidy (20 disposals, five marks) were also impressive in the win.
A massive game awaits Jackson Kornberg’s side as they return to Kinetic Stadium to face Port Melbourne on Friday night in a must-win encounter as they look to remain in the top 10, with the first bounce scheduled for 7:35 pm AEST.
COBURG 1.2 1.4 4.9 5.11 (41)
FRANKSTON 1.1 5.8 7.11 9.15 (69)
GOALS
Johnson 3, O’Leary 2, Grey 2, Gown, Newnes
BEST
Milne, Quirk, O’Leary, Campbell-Farrell, Burke, Grey
