By Jack Heverin
Frankston came back down to earth with a resounding thud after losing to Collingwood by 46 points in a fairly one-sided contest at Frankston Park.
The Dolphins did not come out with the same vigor and enthusiasm they displayed against Bendigo and their opposition made them pay for every mistake made in the 20.16 (136) to 10.10 (70) loss.
Collingwood’s midfield runners did the damage all afternoon, moving the ball from one end to the other with precision, while Frankston will be left to reflect on the amount of basic skill errors made.
The Dolphins took a small lead into quarter time, but it was the Pies who looked dangerous when sending the ball inside 50. By half time Frankston had lost that lead, trailing by nine points at the main break.
By the 15 minute mark of the third term the game was effectively over as Collingwood grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. They kicked six goals for the term and completely dominated their opposition.
Frankston looked fatigued and could not keep up with the Pies hard running onballers, who virtually did whatever they liked after half time. The Dolphins efforts were in stark contrast to the previous week, and Coach Shannon Grant would no doubt be frustrated with his side’s efforts.
For the home side, Ben Crowe provided a good marking target up forward with three goals, while full-forward Aaron Murray was held to just two goals. Michael Lourey and Justin Berry also kicked two.
In his 150th game for the Dolphins, Neil Winterton found plenty of ball through the middle of the ground, while Michael Hibberd was again his side’s best player. The dreadlocked defender is thought to be a major chance of gaining a rookie-listing next season, and did his chances no harm with another terrific performance.
For the winners, Chris Dawes and Chris Bryan provided great targets to kick to with three goals each. Jaxson Barham was dangerous as a crumbing forward with three majors, while Steele Sidebottom was impressive with two goals.
Marty Clarke basically ran around Frankston Park without an opponent all afternoon and made his opposition pay with an exciting performance from half back. Danny Stanley was in the thick of the action all afternoon and won plenty of contested football, while Luke Rounds was a solid contributor.
In what was a spiteful clash at times, the Pies showed that their young side will be a contender at the business end of the season, while the Dolphins again showed that their best and worst are miles apart.
Frankston 4.2 7.2 9.5 10.10 (70)
Collingwood 3.2 8.5 14.13 20.16 (136)
GOALS:
Frankston: Crowe 3 Lourey 2 Murray 2 Berry 2 Morris
Collingwood: Dawes 3 Bryan 3 Barham 3 Sidebottom 2 Clarke 2 Rounds Blair Francis Johnson Cox Reid Stanley
BEST:
Frankston: Winterton Hibberd Dickson Magner Marigliani Crowe
Collingwood: Stanley Clarke Dawes Blair Barham Rounds
Last Modified on 05/07/2009 23:13