Northern Football League lacked the class it needed to beat the Mornington Peninsula Football League in the AFL Victoria Community Championships on Saturday.
The NFL was the better side for much of the first half, before late goals turned the game in MPFL’s favour just before half-time.
MPFL’s control of the game continued in the second half, before the NFL got back into the game and trailed by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter.
But from there MPFL kicked five of the last seven goals to win 18.14 (122)14.8 (92).
NFL coach Robert Hyde said that while his side competed all day, they just didn’t have the class or size to match it with MPFL.
He said the period just before and just after half-time was the difference between the two sides.
The NFL had been hit by injuries in the leadup to the match, with several key players having to withdraw from the squad.
“They were bit stronger than us and had a couple of extra tall forwards,” Hyde said.
“They had four key forwards, including Tim Bongetti [former NFL star], former AFL player Aaron Edwards, Justin Van Unen and another tall guy.
“We only had Patty Fitzgerald in our forward line who was over 6ft 2in (188cm).
“We could have been blown away but we weren’t. But we were outclassed in some areas.”
Hyde said the injuries to key players before the match was frustrating but had praise for everyone who made themselves available.
“On the last night at training we had to call someone else in because of an injury,” he said.
“With a full squad we would have been in the mix but they could have also been missing players too.
“But it was really enjoyable and they’re a terrific bunch of players who wanted to represent the league. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get over the line.”
Luke Potts was awarded best-on-ground for the MPFL, while Cameron Elmore was best for the NFL.
Fitzgerald kicked three goals for the NFL, while Benjamin Fennell, Wayne Schultz, Andrew Fairchild and Jesse Donaldson each booted two.
The loss sees NFL slip to fifth in the rankings and they will clash with Western Region Football League next year.
