Frankston Dolphins Vs Williamstown Seagulls
Kinetic Stadium
By Marc Ablett
How good is it to have footy back! The Friday night lights had never looked better as Kinetic Stadium looked a picture before our opening clash of the 2023 season against historical rivals Williamstown. After some in-different pre-season form and many of our starting 18 players on managed minutes, Frankston fans were looking forward to seeing our youthful and new-look side open their season against a Williamstown side coming off a 5-goal loss to the Gold Coast Suns in the opening round of the season.
The match started brightly, with the pre-match rain clearing the path for a perfect evening for football. Frankston was playing the game in their front half and dominated possession. Unfortunately, a string of opportunities went begging in front of the goal. Gettable chances from Josh Butland, Kai Owens, and recruit Riley Stone could have put Williamstown on the back foot. However, the Seagulls made the most of their chances to lead 3.1 – 19 to 0.5 – 5 at quarter time.
The second quarter was more a mirror of the first, except Frankston dominated even more territory, and the ball movement at times was exciting. However, by this stage, the goalkicking had become an epidemic with only a Kai Owens goal just before half-time, our only major for the half, 1 goal 7 behinds to the Seagulls 1.2 for the quarter hurt. At half-time, the Dolphins lead disposals by plus 40 and inside 50s by plus 10, however, an inability to finish the work cost the side dearly.
The third quarter was one where Williamstown began to punish our mistakes, scoring 2-goals from turnover and 4 for the quarter extending their lead, while Frankston just could not take a trick in front of goal, adding more behinds to leave plenty of work to be done in the final quarter. The Dolphins had 16 scoring shots to 14 at three-quarter time, showing the evenness of the contest, but unfortunately, lacking scoreboard pressure.
The final quarter and the boys were challenged to take the game on, and they certainly responded. Playing some scintillating football, lead by midfielders Kai Owens and Trent Mynott, while recruit Nic Minchin was competing well in the ruck giving the Frankston mid’s first use of the ball. Owens took it upon himself and finished the game with 24 touches, 7 tackles and 6 clearances to be clearly the Dolphins best player on the ground. Jackson Voss’ penetrating left foot was a weapon off half-back as the Dolphins responded with 4 unanswered goals to get back to within 7 points, after Josh Butland added his 2nd goal and the forward line was suddenly looking dangerous. However, the petrol tickets ran out and the poor kicking in the first 3-quarters came back to bite Frankston. Williamstown then added 3 goals in time on to run out 27pt winners.
No doubt it was a winnable game for the young Frankston side. However, supporters would be excited by some of the young players who looked comfortable at the level, Mitch Szybkowski is a talent who took to the contest head on, while Riley Stone looked dangerous up-forward in the first half. It is going to be exciting watching this side develop throughout the season and there is some serious upside to this group, which is exciting for the 2023 season and beyond.
FINAL SCORE:
Frankston 5.17 – 47
Williamstown 11.8 – 74
MINI-MATCH available HERE
STATS + MATCH SUMMARY HERE
Our next game is on Easter Sunday against reigning premier the Casey Demons at Casey Fields. The match starts at 2:05pm on Sunday and is also the Channel 7 match of the round.
Our next home game is against Port Melbourne on Monday the 24th of April (ANZAC eve) at 6:35pm. We can not wait to see you all back at Kinetic Stadium!
