Forum topic

Paul,

You make a fair point about conditioning there.....yes, the VFL clubs would in general have better fitness. But, give the MPNFL side the same kind of lead in and I think they'd definitely be a finals side at least. One of those impossible hypotheticals we will never really know the answer to I guess......but my general point is that there is a hell of a lot of god given talent among the MPNFL clubs. The best of the best down here are damn good footballers. I'd love to see some of these blokes in a Dolphins jumper.

As for Port, yeah, it will be really interesting to see how quickly they gel. I think you blokes have the makings of a very good side there. 

Yep 100% agree it would be great to see more players have the drive to succeed at VFL level and have a hunger to represent the area for the Dolphs, but for many it's way too much hard work as the fitness difference between the two comps is enormous.

I guess that's my criticism of the footy culture down here Paul......I grew up with so many blokes who could have played league footy, and yet never got near it because they would rather hang out with their mates having a beer. From my junior age group, I think Justin Peckett was the only one to make it (and yet he wouldn't have been in the top 8 of our team at Karingal). I see how differently mates who live in the northern suburbs treat footy (with absolute dedication) and am envious. I guess it also comes down to those culture issues we have at Kars St mate......we need to make people feel that wearing a Dolphins jumper is something to aspire to and be proud of.

Yeah agreed. The pipeline was going pretty well in Brett Lovett's time, lots of players giving it a crack from the local area. Unfortunately since then that pipeline has been broken a number of times, and while Simon Goosey had it starting to build again, the exodus at the end of his time, the year without a team and now not having a devt team has made it very hard to build a continuous culture that makes players want to be a part of it. Hopefully we're a couple of years into rebuilding that now and Kornberg can consolidate it. Fingers crossed.

Without spending too much time taking over Port Melbourne's thread, I think what's most important for Frankston is what happens post-season. Our player retention and recruitment have improved this year, but we've still lost some of our best players. Externally, nobody expects us to be any good (which may work out in our favour if we're better than expected.) But ultimately, these positive signs need to become a trend. We've got some solid young players and some good recruits, and we need to be able to keep them for the next few years. 

With the VFL potentially looking very different in the next few years, I think it's more important than ever for us to start building some momentum. 

Ex Saint Daniel Mckenzie has signed for Port. Mckenzie leaves St Kilda after a injury plagued 2023 that saw him sidelined. Daniels 73 AFL game experience and versatility will be a great asset to the club,

A great pick up at this late stage, if we can sneak in a key forward or two then I believe we will have a very solid side.

Capable of fitting into either side but the risk of injury may have prevented clubs from signing him.

Matt Gahan from Southport joins Port after having a successful season at Gold Coast playing all games and featuring in the best players 5 times and Kai Diamantina has also signed after being names in the VAFA team of the year. Kai can play on the wing as well as in the back line.