Round 21 Report
Port Melbourne Vs Frankston Dolphins
ETU Stadium
By Trent Kniese
A fast-starting Frankston exploded out the gates on Saturday afternoon at the ETU stadium. Lachy Riley kicked the first for the Dolphins after a beautiful intercept mark on the wing by Josh Begley. A nice snap by Riley from around 30 meters out had Frankston on the board. Liam Reidy dominated the ruck on Saturday, starring with 27 hit outs and kicked his first of three goals soon after Riley’s first. A big, contested mark followed by a set shot for Reidy’s first. It was Reidy again just 10 minutes later for the Dolphins, with the ruckman slotting a set shot from around 40 meters on a slight angle. It was then a one man show for the remainder of the first quarter with Brodie McLaughlin going crazy. The key forward has been on fire recently and he continued his form into the first quarter with three goals in as many minutes. The first came off the back of a beautiful pick up off the ground from the forward before turning onto his favoured right side and snapping a goal. Brodie’s second kicked a set shot from 50 meters directly in front with the goal umpire not moving. McLaughlin’s third was arguably his best with the 193cm forward taking a sensational speccy before going back and nailing his 22nd goal of the season. Port Melbourne 1.0.6 to Frankston 6.4.40 at the first break.
Kai Owens made things happen for the Dolphins after the team won a clearance on the forward flank following a boundary throw-in before Owens snapped home a goal. Austin Bradtke kept his form rolling on, popping up late in the 2nd quarter to nail a set shot from around 35 meters out. Port Melbourne 2.4.16 to Frankston 8.7.55 at half time.
Taine Barlow, the 22-year-old from Rowville, kicked the opening and only goal for Frankston to start the second quarter with an impressive, off-the-ground soccer kick. The ball somehow found itself missing the pack of players and allowed Barlow to smash it home. Port Melbourne dominated most of the quarter and Frankston allowed them back into the game. Port Melbourne 6.8.44 to Frankston 9.8.62 at three quarter time.
Will Fordham showed his leadership and class, bursting through a boundary throw in stoppage and snapping for goal on his left foot to open the fourth quarter. Liam Reidy then managed to kick his third and Frankston’s last goal of the game. The big ruckman could not miss from around 15 meters out. Unfortunately, Frankston let this one slip and will certainly sting for a while. After getting out of the gates so quickly and then pulling up early, there was lots of shattered players after the final siren. Port Melbourne’s perseverance is to be applauded.
Final Score:
Port Melbourne 12.9.81
Frankston 11.11.77
Frankston is currently ranked 17th out of 21 teams in the VFL after 21 rounds. The best eight teams at the end of the season will compete in the finals.
KEY STATISTICS:
- Liam Reidy had 3 goals, 27 hit outs and 116 fantasy points.
- Kai Owens had 20 disposals, six tackles and seven clearances.
- Trent Mynott had 22 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances.
- Lachy Riley had 15 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles.
- Brodie McLaughlin had 10 disposals, eight marks and three goals.
GOALS:
- Brodie McLaughlin– 3
- Liam Reidy– 3
- Taine Barlow– 1
- Austin Bradtke– 1
- Will Fordham– 1
- Kai Owens– 1
- Lachy Riley-1
If you did not get a chance to watch on Saturday afternoon, a mini match can be found here.
Round 22 sees the Dolphins visit the Richmond Tigers, at the Swinburne Centre on Saturday the 20th of August at 2:10PM.
