Sport
Hastings break drought
Simon McEvoy
28Apr08
Karingal's Ryan Barnett spoils the mark of Hastings' Cameron Betts. Picture: Guy Thayer.
NEW Hastings coach Tyson Lane says he can't believe the Blues didn't win a game last season after they outplayed Karingal on Saturday to snap a 21-game losing streak in MPNFL Peninsula League.
"I struggle to fathom it," Lane said of the club's 0-18 season last year.
"I know they had a whole lot of injuries, but there's certainly some talent down there. We've just got to make sure we keep training hard. There's a lot of improvement left in us yet."
Hastings looks a sharper unit under former Bulldogs and Collingwood star Lane, who says his young team is determined to win back respect this season.
"I think now they've had the taste of a win, they're pretty keen to go on with it and get two in a row," he said.
Looking hungry, Hastings stunned Karingal early with a 4.5 to 0.3 first term, and held on to win by 11 points. It was the Blues' first win since August 12, 2006.
The Blues' back line, led by skipper Ryan Slocombe, was outstanding and set up countless forward thrusts. Michael Agnello, Jason Kestle, Ash Thissen and no-frills Jason Manby all excelled.
In the middle Damon Lawrence was tough and young ruckman Josh Mulheron put his body on the line. Recruit Cameron Betts sparkled at half forward and Ryan Ablett and Richie Vandenham booted two goals each.
Lane said Hastings was set to sign another high-profile recruit, a quality young ruckman.
"We believe we just need to add one more tall player to our list hopefully we'll have him this week," he said.
Meanwhile, Frankston YCW coach Tony "Bugsy" Barry credited the "Anzac spirit" for his side's upset 18-point win over Seaford at a windswept Jubilee Park.
"It didn't matter who we were playing, we played with that Anzac spirit and the boys really responded," Barry said.
"I've never seen them so focused before a game."
Pumped up, the Stonecats fired off 7.4 to 0.1 in the opening quarter to set up victory. Seaford was disappointing.
After leaving the ground with a bloodied nose on the first term, Ben Tellis returned to play a starring role for YCW, along with skipper Daniel Anderson, Andrew Buckenara and Daniel Waddell. Jie Coghlan tagged Seaford coach Chris Fortnam out of it.
Edi-Asp coach John Hynes admitted his side "got out of jail big time" after clawing its way to a 22-point win over Pines.
"Halfway through the last quarter I thought we were gone," he said.
"We were still five points down and I thought, 'oh damn, this isn't going the way I planned'."
With a slippery footy, young Joel Dalton a late call-up from the reserves booted a crucial goal to put Edi-Asp in front in the last quarter.
Hynes praised Pines for their endeavour.
"They put us under enormous pressure, they played really well," he said.
Former Sandringham stars Mitch Grant, Sam Radford and Lachlan Oakley ran hot in Chelsea's seven-point win over Bonbeach. Sharks livewire Shane McDonald tried unsuccessfully to drag his side over the line with a four-goal display.
On Anzac Day, Mornington rattled up the highest score of the season so far in its sparkling 46-point win over Mt Eliza.
Nathan Mander and Stuart Seager booted four goals each as the Bulldogs won 21.10 (136) to 13.12 (90). Seager, Daniel Villani and Barry Smeeton ran rampant in the third term as Mornington unleashed nine goals to grab control.
* Scores on page 53
This weekend: Karingal v Chelsea, Bonbeach v Mornington, Edi-Asp v Frankston YCW, Seaford v Mt Eliza, Hastings v Pines.
