Slowly but surely the tide is turning at Frankston Oval with renewed hope for what the Dolphins can accomplish in season 2013.
Frankston may have finished last year anchored at the bottom of the Peter Jackson VFL ladder but the club once again enhanced its reputation for developing AFL talent.
Dylan Van Unen continued the Dolphins’ strong links with Windy Hill, picked up by the Bombers with pick 51 in the NAB AFL Draft.
Kyle Martin (Collingwood) and Leigh Osborne (Gold Coast Suns) were also given an opportunity at the elite level with selection in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
While the club would rejoice in producing another couple of draftees this season, coach Simon Goosey is more focused on leading the Dolphins in to finals action which will again be Powered by Milk.
“Last year we were a very young side and it’s really important that we continue to build on what we’ve done over the past three years,” Goosey said.
“We all set out to play finals, and, although last year was disappointing, we were not far away in a lot of games.
“When you have a young group you’re always going get inconsistency so that’s what we’re trying to improve this year.”
“There are still some deficiencies in terms of experience but now we’re starting to see kids coming to the end of their third or fourth pre-season and becoming comfortable that they belong at VFL level.”
Giving Goosey confidence there is light at the end of the tunnel is the number of new recruits at the Dolphins.
In a significant coup for the club former ruckman Russell Gabriel is back after spending last year with East Fremantle in the West Australian Football League.
“Russell played with us in 2011 and was named in the VFL Team of the Year,” Goosey said.
“We relied on kids last year to do the bulk of the ruck work and to have Russell back is pretty important to us.”
Two others to land at Frankston Oval over summer were Josh Dyson – delisted by the Brisbane Lions, and former Magpie-listed youngster Daniel farmer.
“They fit into our group really well, being both around 21 or 22 years of age,” Goosey said.
“Josh Dyson brings a lot of speed which we need and Daniel Farmer has terrific hands.”
Goosey said the influx of the club’s TAC Cup talent was probably the best the Dolphins had enjoyed in three years.
“Having five guys drafted over the last couple of years certainly helps as the kids see a good pathway at Frankston,” he said.
Leading the pack of TAC Cup graduates is Jason Pongracic, a tough in-an-under midfielder out of the Dandenong Southern Stingrays, who most considered unlucky not to be snapped up in the NAB AFL Draft.
Frankston Dolphins
Coach: Simon Goosey
2012 Ladder position: 13th (2 wins, 15 losses, 1 draw)
2012 Best & Fairest: Kyle Martin
Key recruits: Russell Gabriel (East Fremantle) Josh Dyson (Brisbane) Daniel Farmer (Collingwood) Ziggy Alwan (Nobel Park) Scott Simpson (Mt Eliza)
Key losses: Kyle Martin (Collingwood AFL) Leigh Osborne (Gold Coast Suns) Toby Thoolan (Port Melbourne)
First match: Casey Scorpions, Casey Fields, April 7
Last Modified on 27/03/2013 11:14