By Will Jeffares
Frankston has pulled off an incredible 29-point final-term comeback against Gold Coast to record a dramatic last-gasp victory over the reigning premiers on Saturday afternoon at People First Stadium.
The famous win now sees the Dolphins cement their place in the final eight, where they are set to return to the Sunshine State to face Southport in an Elimination Final next week, officially breaking a 16-year Finals drought for the Club.
It was joyous scenes at Kinetic Stadium, with fans, members and stakeholders converging at the Club to cheer on Jackson Kornberg’s side via live stream, while a strong contingent of loyal and loud supporters also made the journey up to the Gold Coast, making their presence felt at the ground.
After kicking four consecutive goals in the final quarter, dashing defender Tyson Milne – son of St Kilda legend, Stephen – turned match-winner for Frankston, slotting a long bomb from beyond the arc with just minutes remaining to complete the comeback and steal victory for the visitors, who held on late to record the 14.16 (100) to 16.7 (103) result.
The contest could not have started any better for the Dolphins, with Josh Butland sliding home the opener as the match clock ticked just over 30 seconds. Brayden Fiorini would respond for the Suns before Josh Stern’s snap from the pocket got the perfect bounce to regain the lead for Frankston.
The home side would then get some breathing space, kicking five unanswered majors to end the term as they held a 25-point lead at quarter time.
Returning big man Noah Gown got one back early in the second for the Dolphins, while Taine Barlow, Tom Murphy and Matt Johnson all kicked truly from their respective set shots to make it four in a row and have the margin back under a goal.
Lachlan Gulbin gave the Suns the steadier they were longing for until a brilliant snap from Murphy answered right back, as the in-form midfielder imposed himself early in the matchup with his second of the afternoon.
A clutch set shot from Johnson after the siren saw Frankston enter the main break holding a four-point lead as the spearhead doubled his tally for the afternoon.
The home side came out firing early in the third term, with the Suns piling on three goals in just over four minutes to regain the lead and hold a quickfire 14-point advantage.
A second from Gown briefly stemmed the flow, but it was quickly cancelled out by a fourth major of the day for Gold Coast veteran Sam Day.
Johnson’s third cut the Suns’ lead to 10 points before Gold Coast would respond again via a Will Rowlands major.
George Grey found Seb Quirk inside 50, who converted his set shot, but the back-and-forth continued as the Suns kicked a late goal to open up a 21-point buffer at the final break.
An early Jed Walter set shot pushed the margin out to a game-high 29 points and presented a tough challenge for the Dolphins to come back from as they stared down the barrel of a potential Wildcard Round exit at the hands of the reigning premiers.
But this Frankston side just never gives up.
The Dolphins would go on to kick the last five goals of the match to snatch victory and send the Frankston faithful into wild celebrations across the country.
A superb left-foot finish from Grey got the ball rolling for the visitors, as Jackson Voss sent a long bomb through the big sticks to get the deficit back under three goals.
Quirk curled home his second of the contest, while a brave transition move from the Dolphins ended with Blake O’Leary also snapping home a vital goal to bring the visitors back within a kick and set up a nerve-wracking finale.
Enter Tyson Milne.
It all started with a brilliant defensive spoil from Nick Burke before a quick slingshot play ended in the hands of Milne, who took a bounce and launched a long ball that sailed through to give Frankston a dramatic lead.
As the final siren sounded just moments later, joyous scenes erupted both on and off the field as the Dolphins secured an unlikely victory that will go down as one of the most memorable in the Club’s history.
George Grey (one goal, 29 disposals, eight marks) was superb for Frankston, as was skipper Trent Mynott, who also tallied 29 disposals and led his side with seven clearances. Tom Murphy (two goals, 14 disposals) was influential early before an ankle injury prematurely ended his afternoon in the third term.
Taine Barlow dominated the air, taking a game-high 12 marks to go along with 22 disposals and a major, while Jackson Voss (20 disposals, one goal) put in a strong showing.
Angus Grant (seven disposals, 42 hitouts, five tackles) dominated the ruck battle, with Taj Campbell-Farrell (19 disposals, seven tackles, three clearances) and Seb Quirk (two goals, 17 disposals, six clearances) also important.
Tyson Milne finished with 18 disposals to go along with the matchwinner. Lachie Riley (15 disposals, six marks, four tackles), Ollie Moran (15 disposals, seven marks), Joe Lloyd (15 disposals, seven marks) and Nick Burke (14 disposals, four tackles) were all lively contributors on the day.
A date with Southport now awaits Frankston next week, with the scheduling for the first week of the Finals Series yet to be confirmed.
GOLD COAST 6.3 7.6 13.13 14.16 (100)
FRANKSTON 2.2 8.4 11.4 16.7 (103)
GOALS
Johnson 3, Quirk 2, Murphy 2, Gown 2, Voss, Stern, O’Leary, Milne, Grey, Butland, Barlow
BEST
Grey, Mynott, Barlow, Voss, Campbell-Farrell, Quirk
