By Will Jeffares
Frankston has jumped into ninth spot on the ladder after an impressive 27-point win over Port Melbourne in perfect conditions at Kinetic Stadium on Friday night.
Led from the front by captain Trent Mynott, the Dolphins put their strong attacking prowess on show in front of the home faithful. After a shootout between both sides in the first term saw the scores level at 6.1 (37) apiece, a five-goal-to-one second term from Frankston was instrumental on their way toward the 17.10 (112) to 13.7 (85) result.
It was the first time since Round 15, 2022, that Frankston had eclipsed over 100 points in a game and it could not have come at a more important time as they edge closer to a potential finals berth in 2024.
Jackson Kornberg’s side won all the key numbers in the stats department against the Borough, with the home side +27 for disposals, +8 for inside 50s, +8 for clearances and +16 for marks in a strong display.
The visitors came out of the blocks in quick fashion, with Billy Gowers kicking the first of the contest after just 20 seconds before they added a second just minutes later.
After taking a great mark over a Port defender, Blake O’Leary would respond from the set shot before Jack Newnes snapped his first of the night after getting on the end of a Noah Gown kick across goal to get the Dolphins back within a point.
After the visitors restored their seven-point advantage through Billy Gowers’ second, Josh Butland would mark his return to the side with a great finish on the run, with Tom Murphy also dribbling home a major to give Frankston the lead.
George Grey finished off a fantastic passage of play from the Dolphins, as they transitioned the football from one end to the other to extend the lead before the pendulum swung again as three consecutive Port Melbourne goals would see them hit the front.
Taj Campbell-Farrell would have a special moment late in the quarter, kicking truly from the set shot for his first goal in the VFL, as both sides went in level at the first break.
In-form forward Matt Johnson kicked his first early in the second term to give the Dolphins the lead, with Gown also converting, after winning himself a freekick, to extend their advantage.
Johnson would get the margin to three goals after his snap from the pack sailed through for his second before Gowers got one back from the Borough.
Frankston would then get two late goals through Mynott and Harrison Coe to hold a 24-point lead at half-time after both converted from their respective set shots.
After weaving through traffic, Mynott would kick his second with a ripping finish for the first of the third term to open up a 30-point lead.
With Gown ruled out for the remainder of the contest through injury, Kyle Stainthorpe was thrown forward to fill the void and, like Campbell-Farrell, kicked his first at VFL level after taking a strong contested grab deep inside 50, much to the delight of his teammates, further adding to the Frankston lead.
The Borough would get a goal back before a downfield freekick was awarded to Johnson, who went back and snapped home his third to quickly respond.
A late goal to Gowers would see the Dolphins’ lead sitting at 32 points at the final break.
Port would strike first in the last, kicking the first two of the term to quickly cut the margin back to 20 points before Lachie Riley roved the pack inside 50 and snuck home a settler for the home side.
Newnes fired home his second minutes later to re-establish a six-goal advantage for Frankston while the visitors continued to push, cutting the margin back to 20 with two late goals. However, it would be too late for any sort of comeback, with Coe putting the cherry on top with his second as the Dolphins secured their fifth consecutive win.
Trent Mynott was inspirational for the home side, with his attack on the contest and drive going forward particularly impressive, as the skipper finished with two goals, 27 disposals and nine clearances in a best-on-ground display.
Tom Murphy (one goal, 24 disposals, six tackles) was influential, as was George Grey (one goal, 21 disposals, five marks), with both continuing their superb campaigns. Seb Quirk (21 disposals, six clearances) did a little bit of everything in the middle, applying plenty of pressure on the opposition to finish with an equal team-high nine tackles alongside Taj Campbell-Farrell (one goal, 16 disposals, four clearances).
Lachie Riley (one goal, 22 disposals, five tackles) was a strong contributor on the night, as he carried on his good form for the side. Harrison Coe (two goals, 11 disposals, eight marks), Matt Johnson (three goals, seven disposals, six tackles) and Jack Newnes (two goals, 13 disposals, six marks) were all important figures in the forward half.
Angus Grant competed well in the ruck to finish with nine disposals, five tackles, five clearances and 35 hitouts, with Blake O’Leary (one goal, 18 disposals, four tackles) and Nick Burke (16 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances) also lively around the ground.
With destiny now in their own hands, Frankston will face a strong Footscray outfit at Kinetic Stadium on Sunday afternoon with a win cementing the Dolphins’ position in the top 10. The first bounce is scheduled for 12:00 pm AEST, with the contest covered by Channel 7, as well as the AFL website.
FRANKSTON 6.1 11.2 14.7 17.10 (112)
PORT MELBOURNE 6.1 7.2 9.5 13.7 (85)
GOALS
Johnson 3, Newnes 2, Coe 2, Mynott 2, Stainthorpe, Riley, O’Leary, Murphy, Grey, Gown, Campbell-Farrell, Butland
BEST
Mynott, Murphy, Grey, Quirk, L. Riley
