Vote Count Football Mon 1 Sept
2 September 2008
Matt Mendola, Doveton
Striking - 6 matches
Andrew Kelly, Frankston
Striking - Not Guilty
Matt Mendola, Doveton
Striking - 6 matches
Andrew Kelly, Frankston
Striking - Not Guilty
CASEY GRAND FINAL REVIEW with Tangles
PENINSULA PREVIEW with Macca
FINALS - Commencing 16 August
Vote Count Netball Fri 5 Sept
Threepeat for merciless Magpies
NARRE Warren was celebrating on Saturday night after an unbelievable 131-point victory over Keysborough in the Casey Cardinia league grand final at Berwick's Edwin Flack Reserve.
It was the league benchmark's third straight premiership and the easiest of all in a continuing era of domination that saw the Magpies exacted a painful and merciless football execution on an oval that they can now quite rightly claim as their other home ground.
The crowd at the Edwin Flack Reserve lost interest in the contest after the Narre Warren slammed on four
NARRE Warren was celebrating on Saturday night after an unbelievable 131-point victory over Keysborough in the Casey Cardinia league grand final at Berwick's Edwin Flack Reserve.
It was the league benchmark's third straight premiership and the easiest of all in a continuing era of domination that saw the Magpies exacted a painful and merciless football execution on an oval that they can now quite rightly claim as their other home ground.
The crowd at the Edwin Flack Reserve lost interest in the contest after the Narre Warren slammed on four
goals in six minutes half way through the second term.
Keysborough players followed suit soon after and, unfortunately, the league's showcase match of the season became a Magpie procession and little more than a series of training drills in perfect spring conditions after half time.
Both teams remained unchanged from their last outings with coaches Matthew Shinners and Greg Siwes selecting their sides based on run and attack.
Narre Warren was hot favourites to win a third straight pennant but Keysborough was a wildcard.
After a goal each in the first six minutes, Keysborough star Tyson King missed two shots with the breeze and the Magpies capitalised with Shane Brewster and Lee Clark adding goals along with a second to Evans, creating a 22-point quarter-time lead.
It was not the margin that was significant, but the way the Burra had stopped like rabbits in a spotlight when the pressure was applied, and not even the loss of Magpie Ryan Stanes to a knee injury could provide a boost.
Keysborough did not enter their forward 50 in the last six minutes of the first quarter and despite starting the second term with two quick goals, the scene was set for the Magpies.
Ricky Clark, Michael Collins and Shane Brewster took control of the midfield, while youngsters in Chris Collins and Matthew Werner decided it was Showtime in attack and the Magpies shot away to a 57-point half time lead with a nine-goal to one burst.
Burra defenders Corey Wilkinson, Daniel Born and Michael Downie battled hard but were left high and dry by their team mates excluding Clinton King, whose work rate was superb all day.
The second half degenerated into a farce with Narre Warren booting a further 14.13 to 3.5 before the game was abandoned at the 25-minute mark of the final term due to umpires' safety concerns after drunken brawls broke out near the fence between the coaches boxes.
There was little to keep the crowd entertained on field, however those who were still interested in the football witnessed one of the best goals of the year in the third term when Magpie Nick Scanlon kicked accurately from 45 metres at full pace after burning down the wing and taking four bounces.
Other highlights included superb goals to youngsters Werner, Daniel Borninkhof, Joel Broadhurst and Jackson Parker, with the effort topped off by retiring 34-year-old veteran Jack McTaggart who slotted the Magpies 27th and final goal with his last kick in football.
Ricky Clark started the afternoon brilliantly and finished it the same way to win the VCFL Medal for best afield, while fellow midfielder Michael Collins was deemed the best player by the 3RPP radio commentary team.
Narre Warren won its first under 18 premiership since 1956 with a 67-point belting of Beaconsfield in Saturday's curtain-raiser, while Doveton won its second reserves premiership in succession with a 73-point win over Narre Warren
Keysborough players followed suit soon after and, unfortunately, the league's showcase match of the season became a Magpie procession and little more than a series of training drills in perfect spring conditions after half time.
Both teams remained unchanged from their last outings with coaches Matthew Shinners and Greg Siwes selecting their sides based on run and attack.
Narre Warren was hot favourites to win a third straight pennant but Keysborough was a wildcard.
After a goal each in the first six minutes, Keysborough star Tyson King missed two shots with the breeze and the Magpies capitalised with Shane Brewster and Lee Clark adding goals along with a second to Evans, creating a 22-point quarter-time lead.
It was not the margin that was significant, but the way the Burra had stopped like rabbits in a spotlight when the pressure was applied, and not even the loss of Magpie Ryan Stanes to a knee injury could provide a boost.
Keysborough did not enter their forward 50 in the last six minutes of the first quarter and despite starting the second term with two quick goals, the scene was set for the Magpies.
Ricky Clark, Michael Collins and Shane Brewster took control of the midfield, while youngsters in Chris Collins and Matthew Werner decided it was Showtime in attack and the Magpies shot away to a 57-point half time lead with a nine-goal to one burst.
Burra defenders Corey Wilkinson, Daniel Born and Michael Downie battled hard but were left high and dry by their team mates excluding Clinton King, whose work rate was superb all day.
The second half degenerated into a farce with Narre Warren booting a further 14.13 to 3.5 before the game was abandoned at the 25-minute mark of the final term due to umpires' safety concerns after drunken brawls broke out near the fence between the coaches boxes.
There was little to keep the crowd entertained on field, however those who were still interested in the football witnessed one of the best goals of the year in the third term when Magpie Nick Scanlon kicked accurately from 45 metres at full pace after burning down the wing and taking four bounces.
Other highlights included superb goals to youngsters Werner, Daniel Borninkhof, Joel Broadhurst and Jackson Parker, with the effort topped off by retiring 34-year-old veteran Jack McTaggart who slotted the Magpies 27th and final goal with his last kick in football.
Ricky Clark started the afternoon brilliantly and finished it the same way to win the VCFL Medal for best afield, while fellow midfielder Michael Collins was deemed the best player by the 3RPP radio commentary team.
Narre Warren won its first under 18 premiership since 1956 with a 67-point belting of Beaconsfield in Saturday's curtain-raiser, while Doveton won its second reserves premiership in succession with a 73-point win over Narre Warren
THE BATTLE OF THE CENTURY
AFTER 93 games, it's down to this.
The final act of the MPNFL's centenary season will be played out at Frankston Park on Sunday when EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE and SEAFORD go toe-to-toe in the Peninsula league grand final.
A crowd of about 10,000 will cram into Frankston Park. Make no mistake, this is local football's greatest day of the year.
The game pits a young, athletic and hungry Edi-Asp side against a rampaging and experienced Seaford team.
The Tigers won last year's premiership in a canter and desperately want to get their hands on this year's cup.
AFTER 93 games, it's down to this.
The final act of the MPNFL's centenary season will be played out at Frankston Park on Sunday when EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE and SEAFORD go toe-to-toe in the Peninsula league grand final.
A crowd of about 10,000 will cram into Frankston Park. Make no mistake, this is local football's greatest day of the year.
The game pits a young, athletic and hungry Edi-Asp side against a rampaging and experienced Seaford team.
The Tigers won last year's premiership in a canter and desperately want to get their hands on this year's cup.
Seaford has plenty of incentive, with one of its greatest players Jason ``Super'' Marsh to hang up his boots after the final siren. The Tigers have made a pact to send him out on a high note.
Seaford has been in rare form in recent weeks. The Tigers are on a six-game tear and their 70-point dismantling of Mt Eliza in last week's preliminary final left many on-lookers convinced they'd just seen the '08 premiers in action.
So happy were Seaford's loyal band of supporters last week that they began singing the Tigers theme song halfway through the final quarter.
Ominously, Seaford playing-coach Chris Fortnam said his side still had room for improvement.
``We're playing better than we have all year at the moment, but I still don't think we've played at our complete best,'' Fortnam said.
``We're not far off it. I don't want that to sound arrogant because I'm not trying to be but it's just the truth - there are still a few things we can work on that will give us an extra 15 or 20 percent I reckon.''
Fortnam said the Tigers could improve their delivery into the forward line and lift their pressure around the footy.
The mere thought of Seaford improving 20 percent on last week's performance is frightening - especially for Edi-Asp.
Edi-Asp coach John Hynes watched Seaford's sparkling display last week and couldn't help be was impressed.
But he remains confident that his Eagles can fly high today.
``It reinforces that we have to be at our best,'' he said.
Hynes agreed Seaford was a powerful team, but added: ``So are we.''
He said Edi-Asp's simple plan will be to stay in contact with Seaford and if it's close late in the game his energetic young brigade will finish hard.
Having had a taste of finals footy last year, Edi-Asp is ready to take the title, Hynes says.
Interestingly, Edi-Asp has beaten Seaford on both occasions they've met this season - a fact Fortnam is well aware of.
``We haven't beaten them yet this year, so it will be a good challenge for us,'' he said.
``We've had a few weeks now with our full side in and I guess we're starting to play a bit tighter together than we did at the start of the year when we had a few ins and outs.''
Some of the best footballers to lace up in the MPNFL will be on display in the '08 grand final.
For Edi-Asp, there are John Hynes, Damien Clarke, Beau Turner and Tim Mannix. Seaford's talented brigade includes Anthony Agius, Fortnam, Chris Irving and the Cadd brothers, Ben and Pat.
Frankston Dolphins legend Daniel ``Normie'' Clarke, now wearing Tigers colours, also looms as a key man. Still playing terrific footy, he's highly motivated to experience his first-ever senior premiership. This is his chance.
``He's as keen as I've ever seen him for footy,'' Fortnam said of Clarke.
``I've known Normie for a while now and he's just buzzing. He's got an extra hop in his step. He's great around the place, he really lifts all the boys.''
IN THE RESERVES…
SEAFORD will be out to cap a dominant season by beating BONBEACH in the grand final.
The Tigers began the season back in April with a loss but they've been superb since, winning 17 of their next 18 games to make it through to the main day.
Boosting its confidence, Seaford has twice beaten Bonbeach this season - including a resounding 12.7 (79) to 2.7 (19) win only six weeks ago.
Seaford finished on top last year as well, but fell short of the ultimate prize. Will it be another missed opportunity? Or will the Tigers take possession of what many believe they deserve.
Bonbeach won last season's flag in similar come-from-behind circumstances. The Sharks had a reasonable home-and-away season but have gone up a gear in the finals. They've handled the pressure superbly.
IN THE UNDER 18s…
We've been waiting months for this grand final showdown: FRANKSTON YCW v MORNINGTON.
For the second season running, they have been clearly the best sides in the competition and will rightfully scrap for the Holy Grail.
Mornington is chasing back-to-back titles after storming home to beat the Stonecats by two goals in a gripping contest last year.
YCW will probably go in favourites after easily dispatching Mornington in the second semi-final two weeks ago. So dominant have they been, the Stonecats have won 16 games in a row going into the grand final.
Notably, Mornington's only three losses this season have all been to YCW.
No matter what they try, the Bulldogs just can't seem to get the better of the Stonecats. But will the trend continue in the high-pressure of a grand final?
Seaford has been in rare form in recent weeks. The Tigers are on a six-game tear and their 70-point dismantling of Mt Eliza in last week's preliminary final left many on-lookers convinced they'd just seen the '08 premiers in action.
So happy were Seaford's loyal band of supporters last week that they began singing the Tigers theme song halfway through the final quarter.
Ominously, Seaford playing-coach Chris Fortnam said his side still had room for improvement.
``We're playing better than we have all year at the moment, but I still don't think we've played at our complete best,'' Fortnam said.
``We're not far off it. I don't want that to sound arrogant because I'm not trying to be but it's just the truth - there are still a few things we can work on that will give us an extra 15 or 20 percent I reckon.''
Fortnam said the Tigers could improve their delivery into the forward line and lift their pressure around the footy.
The mere thought of Seaford improving 20 percent on last week's performance is frightening - especially for Edi-Asp.
Edi-Asp coach John Hynes watched Seaford's sparkling display last week and couldn't help be was impressed.
But he remains confident that his Eagles can fly high today.
``It reinforces that we have to be at our best,'' he said.
Hynes agreed Seaford was a powerful team, but added: ``So are we.''
He said Edi-Asp's simple plan will be to stay in contact with Seaford and if it's close late in the game his energetic young brigade will finish hard.
Having had a taste of finals footy last year, Edi-Asp is ready to take the title, Hynes says.
Interestingly, Edi-Asp has beaten Seaford on both occasions they've met this season - a fact Fortnam is well aware of.
``We haven't beaten them yet this year, so it will be a good challenge for us,'' he said.
``We've had a few weeks now with our full side in and I guess we're starting to play a bit tighter together than we did at the start of the year when we had a few ins and outs.''
Some of the best footballers to lace up in the MPNFL will be on display in the '08 grand final.
For Edi-Asp, there are John Hynes, Damien Clarke, Beau Turner and Tim Mannix. Seaford's talented brigade includes Anthony Agius, Fortnam, Chris Irving and the Cadd brothers, Ben and Pat.
Frankston Dolphins legend Daniel ``Normie'' Clarke, now wearing Tigers colours, also looms as a key man. Still playing terrific footy, he's highly motivated to experience his first-ever senior premiership. This is his chance.
``He's as keen as I've ever seen him for footy,'' Fortnam said of Clarke.
``I've known Normie for a while now and he's just buzzing. He's got an extra hop in his step. He's great around the place, he really lifts all the boys.''
IN THE RESERVES…
SEAFORD will be out to cap a dominant season by beating BONBEACH in the grand final.
The Tigers began the season back in April with a loss but they've been superb since, winning 17 of their next 18 games to make it through to the main day.
Boosting its confidence, Seaford has twice beaten Bonbeach this season - including a resounding 12.7 (79) to 2.7 (19) win only six weeks ago.
Seaford finished on top last year as well, but fell short of the ultimate prize. Will it be another missed opportunity? Or will the Tigers take possession of what many believe they deserve.
Bonbeach won last season's flag in similar come-from-behind circumstances. The Sharks had a reasonable home-and-away season but have gone up a gear in the finals. They've handled the pressure superbly.
IN THE UNDER 18s…
We've been waiting months for this grand final showdown: FRANKSTON YCW v MORNINGTON.
For the second season running, they have been clearly the best sides in the competition and will rightfully scrap for the Holy Grail.
Mornington is chasing back-to-back titles after storming home to beat the Stonecats by two goals in a gripping contest last year.
YCW will probably go in favourites after easily dispatching Mornington in the second semi-final two weeks ago. So dominant have they been, the Stonecats have won 16 games in a row going into the grand final.
Notably, Mornington's only three losses this season have all been to YCW.
No matter what they try, the Bulldogs just can't seem to get the better of the Stonecats. But will the trend continue in the high-pressure of a grand final?
