Coburg Lions vs Frankston Dolphins, Piranha Park
By Trent Kniese
Frankston was defeated by the lower placed Coburg Lions in Round 11. The Dolphins omitted three players in midweek, resulting in a new look Frankston side.
Frankston started off to a sluggish start, kicking only five behinds throughout the whole quarter. The Dolphins’ defence held up brilliantly, allowing only two relatively easy Lions goals in the first quarter. Nathan Freeman and Will Fordham both got off to a good start. At the first break, Coburg led Frankston 2.2.14 to 0.5.5.
Frankston dominated at Piranha Park in the second quarter, scoring three goals in a row at one point. All four Dolphins’ goals came off fantastic straight kicks, indicating that there was some set shot training this week. Tom Murphy kicked the Dolphins’ first goal from 60 metres away. A superb drop punt carried clear through the middle, aided by the wind. Bailey Lambert, Brodie McLaughlin, and Ryley Stoddart joined Murphy, and each scored a goal. Lambert scored from little under 55 metres, while McLaughlin and Stoddart scored from 50 and 45 metres, respectively. At halftime, Coburg led Frankston 5.2.32 to 4.7.31.
Frankston’s performance of coming out of halftime strongly, came to an end allowing several inside 50’s to the Lions early on. Kai Owens kicked Frankston’s fifth set shot of the day after a spectacular piece of end-to-end transition play. Frankston trailed by 13 points after McLaughlin kicked a goal following a huge mark just before the three-quarter time siren. Coburg 9.5.59 to Frankston 6.10.46 at the half.
Frankston’s fourth quarter was one of the most disappointing of the year. Frankston had no real activity, managing only four behinds when kicking into the wind.
Overall, the Dolphins put up a poor showing, especially after leading the inside 50 count and kicking 14 behinds.
Final Score:
Coburg 11.7.73
Frankston 6.14.50
Frankston is currently ranked 14th out of 21 teams in the VFL after seven rounds. The best eight teams at the end of the season will compete in the finals.
KEY STATISTICS:
- Nathan Freeman had 29 disposals, four marks and seven clearances
- Josh Begley had 27 disposals, seven marks, and six tackles.
- Will Fordham had 27 disposals, five marks and seven clearances.
- James Rendell had 21 hit outs, six tackles and five clearances.
- Bailey Lambert had six tackles, three marks and 63 fantasy points.
GOALS:
- Brodie McLaughlin– 2
- Bailey Lambert– 1
- Tom Murphy– 1
- Kai Owens– 1
- Ryley Stoddart– 1
If you did not get a chance to watch on Sunday afternoon, a mini match can be found here.
Round 12 sees the Dolphins host the Brisbane Lions at SkyBus Stadium on Friday the 10th of June at 7:35PM.
