From Frankston Standard Leader
Reported by Simon McEvoy
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FRANKSTON has got that winning feeling.
For the second time in three weeks, the Dolphins have pulled off a stirring victory after coming from behind to beat Coburg by five points in the wet Frankston Park on Sunday.
Frankston forward Nathan Gardiner’s goal from 53 metres out in the last quarter was the match winner.
It put the Dolphins in front with 10 minutes to go. Coburg spent the last five minutes attacking but Frankston would not be denied.
Frankston kicked the only two goals of the last quarter. Gardiner’s goal came after Jayden Cass booted the first, from a free kick, to cut Coburg’s lead to a point.
A small but vocal Mother’s Day crowd gave the Dolphins a great ovation as they headed into the rooms. Dolphin dynamo Jordan Pollard led the players off; a great way to celebrate his 50th VFL game.
Frankston coach Patrick Hill said his players’ will to win got them over the line.
“It was testament to our fighting spirit,’’ he said.
“We weren’t great today. I think if you spoke to Germo (Coburg coach Peter German), he’d say the same about his troops. It wasn’t the best standard but it was tough and hard and that’s what you expect when you play Coburg.
“They guys were able to show some resolve in the second half to get the four points.’’
Coburg got 19 points ahead in the second quarter.
Frankston, though, surged back in the third term. Strong forward Josh Bennett took a big mark and converted to start the revival and young Sam Pickess was mobbed by teammates after booting a goal.
There was confusion when the three quarter-time siren sounded but only a few heard it. Umpires eventually halted play.
Hill found it difficult to nominate best players. “To be honest, mate, I wouldn’t have a clue,’’ he said. “It was a pretty good team effort.’’
The Dolphins listed Michael Sikora, Ryan Exon, Sam Pickess, Andrew McInnes, Kyle Gray and Pollard as their best.
Ruckman Sikora was superb. The big man does the little things so well. He flew the flag early when one of his teammates was roughed up and was regularly spotted shepherding and clearing a path for his ball users.
Frankston’s win over Richmond a fortnight ago snapped a 24-game, 636-day winning drought. Now the Dolphins are on a roll.
“Losing is habitual and so is winning,’’ Hill said.
Frankston is now a respectable 2-3, out of the eight only on percentage.
Frankston 2.5 3.7 6.10 8.13 (61)
Coburg 0.6 6.8 7.8 7.14 (56)
GOALS:
Frankston: Gardiner 3, Bennett 2, Cass 2, Pickess
Coburg: Tarczon 2, Cauchi, McEvoy, Younan, Featherstone, Kovacevic
BEST:
Frankston: Sikora Exon Pickess McInnes Gray Pollard
Coburg: Lehmann Tarczon Johns Uysal Goodwin Iacobaccio
