In a game against the bottom team on the ladder Northern Bullants, Frankston were keen to bounce back from last week’s heartbreaking loss on the Gold Coast. The hosts came out to a quick start, with Blake O’Leary kicking his first of four on the night, a few minutes into the contest. Josh Stern’s welcome back was a warm one, kicking a goal just seven minutes into his return match. Brodie McLaughlin kicked one from in the goal square after a lovely display of strength from Will Fordham saw Brodie receive a handball in a vacant goal square. Kai Owens kicked a banana from the pocket to seal a fast starting first quarter. Frankston led 4.2.26 to Northern Bullants 1.3.9 at the first break.
Brodie McLaughlin kicked a smooth looking set shot from about 45 meters out to start the second term. A risky kick through the middle from the Bullants saw Josh Stern get an easy goal out the back, his second of the game to extend Frankston’s margin to 23 points. Brodie McLaughlin launched from 50 meters before a flying Blake O’Leary marked on the behind line before kicking a left foot snap to finish off the second quarter. Frankston led 7.3.45 to Northern Bullants 3.4.22 at the main break.
Frankston put the brakes on the scoreboard scoring no majors and six behinds. Frankston controlled a lot of the ball but just could not capitalise on the scoreboard, somewhat of a trend this season. Frankston led 7.9.51 to Northern Bullants 3.6.24 at the final break.
After Coach Danny Ryan delivered a hard 30 second fire up message at three quarter time, the Dolphins came back to life, storming home to kick 6 goals to 2 in the final quarter. Tom Small started things off in the 4th with a set shot from 40 meters out. Josh Begley then went back from 30 meters out with a devil horns celebration to follow. McLaughlin kicked his third with a dribble kick and O’Leary also wanted his third and matched with a dribble kick of his own. Blake O’Leary was the star of the night and capitalised with his elite speed late into the 4th quarter, out running his opponent from the 50 meter arc to kick his fourth of the night. McLaughlin sealed the night for the Dolphins, taking a nice, contested mark before going back and slotting a major.
Final Score:
Frankston 13.13.91
Northern Bullants 5.9.39
Frankston is currently ranked 13th out of 21 teams in the VFL after 17 rounds. The best 8 teams at the end of the season will compete in the finals.
KEY STATISTICS:
- Will Fordham had 31 disposals, five marks and four tackles.
- Josh Newman had 28 disposals, 12 marks, and three tackles.
- Austin Bradtke had 18 disposals, four marks and 14 hit outs.
- Jackson Voss had 23 disposals, five marks and 86 fantasy points.
- Connor Riley had eight tackles, 20 disposals and three clearances.
GOALS:
- Brodie McLaughlin– 4
- Blake O’Leary– 4
- Josh Stern– 2
- Josh Begley– 1
- Kai Owens– 1
- Tom Small– 1
If you did not get a chance to watch on Saturday night, a mini match can be found here.
Round 18 sees the Dolphins travel to take on the Sydney Swans at Tramway Oval on Saturday the 23rd of July at 10:05AM.
