With the 2019 Hard Yakka/Totally Workwear Victorian Football League Season not far away, the Dolphins Digital Media Team thought it would be fitting to run through the Top 5 moments of 2018 – Frankston’s return season in the VFL.
The first win against North Melbourne at Werribee
Those who were there that day will never forget it. North Melbourne had a slender lead at quarter time before the Dolphins put on a blistering display in the second term to take the advantage at the main break. North then reduced to gap to a goal at 3QT before Frankston ran away with a 13-point win. The club’s first victory since mid-2016 brought long-suffering fans to tears and set social media alight, with the singing of the club song recording 11k views on Facebook. The youth of Frankston triumphed over the experience of North Melbourne, with several players impressing, including former North-listed rookie Will Fordham. Corey Rich also kicked five goals, showcasing his talent.
First game back at home against Essendon
The result on this day didn’t matter, as the hard work of so many in the Frankston and football communities finally came to fruition with the return of the Dolphins to the VFL. The weather couldn’t have been any more perfect for footy as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews watched on, and local State Member Paul Edbrooke tossed the coin. The home side hit the ground running, booting the first two goals, but eventually the AFL fitness of the Bombers ran over the top of Frankston’s mosquito fleet to win by 102 points. To use the cliché however, the real winner was football, as over 3000 packed into Skybus Stadium and once again the drums were banging on the hill.
Second win against Coburg; the first win at home since 2016
Round 6 saw Frankston record its first win at Skybus Stadium since their return to the VFL, and their second and final win of the 2018 season. The Dolphins led from the first bounce, not conceding a goal in the first quarter before going on to win by a massive 49 points. Corey Rich notched 6 goals while Robbie Turnbull chipped in with 3 as the home side put on their most dominant display of football in many years. There was no room to move in the old Frankston changerooms post-match as a mix of proud parents and family, club officials, and die-hard supporters crammed in to listen to the players belt out the song. Unfortunately, we couldn’t double up against the Lions as the Dolphins lost on our trip to the City Oval, but we’ll always have that one day in May to be thankful for.
The rise of Corey Rich
VFL Team of the Year on the half-forward flank, 6 goals in the Young Guns game, and plenty of bags for the Dolphins throughout the season; Corey Rich was one player who Frankston could always rely on to make an impact. Kicking 5 and 6 goals respectively in the team’s two wins and another 4 in a loss to Port Melbourne, Rich was the club’s leading goalkicker with 34, and was on the radar of a few AFL clubs after his stellar season. Fortunately for Frankston, the livewire will remain at the club for the 2019 season, however if he can follow his 2018 up with another standout year, it’s hard to see how AFL clubs will be able to overlook him for a berth on a senior list going into the next decade.
Lewis Pierce cracking into the St Kilda lineup
Initially thought to be the last in line of St Kilda’s plentiful ruck stocks, Lewis Pierce shocked the football world when he broke into
St Kilda’s senior lineup towards the end of the 2018 AFL Season and established himself as a serious first-ruck option for the club going forward. With a real possibility of being forced into a different role in a Sandringham side stacked with talls, then-Frankston coach and
St Kilda ruck coach Adam Skrobalak suggested Pierce join his Dolphins side, which lacked height. The rest is history as Pierce dominated
at almost every contest he attended, playing a vital cog in the Frankston best 22, with his form being rewarded with an AFL call-up. Pierce won’t pull on the Dolphins black, red, and white in 2019 but we wish him all the best in St Kilda’s red, white, and black.
It’s going to be a big 2019 season for the boys from Frankston town. Be part of it by joining as a member and by following the club on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Sam Mills
Dolphins Digital Media
Membership 2019/Target 1500 – Join online today at https://frankstonfc.com.au/3885-2/
