From the Frankston Standard Leader - www.localfooty.com
The Dolphins have done it!
Frankston on Sunday claimed its first win in the VFL in more than a year and its first under coach Danny Ryan when, sparked by small forwards Corey Rich and Yilber “Bella’’ Zijai, it defeated North Melbourne at SkyBus Stadium.
And the Dolphins did it in style, savouring a 16.14 (110) to 8.12 (60) victory in front of chuffed supporters.
The players were given a warm hand as they left the ground and entered the changerooms, there to give a full-throated rendition of the club song.
For most of the team it was an unfamiliar tune.
Frankston’s last victory had been in Round 6 last year when it thumped Coburg by 49 points. Twenty consecutive defeats followed.
Rich kicked six goals that day against Coburg and he slotted three in the first half against North Melbourne to set Frankston on its way.
Zijai, back in the team after a spell at Noble Park, booted three goals in the second quarter, and just before half time Alex Harnett and Jason Kingsbury weighed in to send the home team to the break with a 35-point lead.
Frankston players sing the song in packed rooms after defeating North Melbourne.
The advantage got out to 47 points when Alfie Jarnestrom kicked his first goal of the game in the 27th minute of the third term.
The Roos fought back briefly, but first-gamer Bailey Schmidt, a 19-year-old from the Dandenong Stingrays, shut them out with a goal halfway through the last quarter as the Dolphins finished what they started.
Schmidt (two goals) had an encouraging debut.
Former AFL-listers Nathan Freeman and Will Fordham showed the way for Frankston, Freeman having 34 possessions and Fordham 29.
Mitch McCarthy was outstanding in the ruck against strong opposition, and skipper Josh Newman, Aloysio Ferreira and Harnett were instrumental too.
* Sunday’s win meant Dolphins timekeeper and life member Michael Robinson could finally celebrate his 50th victory in the box.
Frankston 16.14 (110) defeated North Melbourne 8.12 (60)
Goals: C Rich, Y Zijai 3, J Kingsbury, J Newman, B Schmidt 2, A Harnett, A Jarnestrom, G Lok, L Williams
