By Jonty Ralphsmith
Beaconsfield key-position player Harrison Coe made his VFL debut on Friday night in Frankston’s 11.19 85 to 5.4 34 victory over Northern Bullants.
It’s his first year on a VFL list following an injury-interrupted journey across his two years playing exclusively for Beaconsfield, having initially made waves in 2019, kicking 117 goals for St Francis Xavier.
Coe’s ill-fortune continued during preseason as he was grounded with groin and finger injuries
Predominantly a ruck at local level, he played as a deep target and relieving ruck for Frankston, kicking a goal and winning 14 hitouts.
“His local form has been really solid and then during match sim he takes a couple of really good (marks) so you go ‘okay, there’s something there’,” Frankston coach Jackson Kornberg said.
“He certainly earned his spot and he acquitted himself well, taking a really good mark late.
“He’s got good marking craft.
“He’s a big boy, he’s solid and jumps at the ball.
“He isn’t scared to go through packs and crash bodies, he’s got a real physical presence about him.”
Coe shared the forward line with fellow Eagle Matt Johnson, who has established himself as a potent goal-scoring threat for Frankston since crossing from Casey ahead of last season, kicking three on the night.
Fellow Beaconsfield pair Kade De La Rue and Kobe Shipp also played a representative game of their own on the weekend, lining up for the Young Guns in a match designed to give midseason draft prospects a platform to play in front of recruiters.
Athletic Berwick local Riak Andrew and Noble Park’s Tarkyn O’Leary were also in action for the Young Guns, playing in the backline and on a wing respectively.
Fellow local representative players Jack Toner and Corey Ellison both brought up milestones on the weekend.
Narre Warren’s Toner played his 50th state league game, encompassing 10 in South Australia, and Cranbourne’s Ellison played his 50th VFL game, both for Williamstown.
Meanwhile, Liam Serong (Warragul) gathered 18 disposals in Coburg’s drought-breaking win over Collingwood.
Deakyn Smith (Doveton/North), Cal Porter (Officer/Box Hill), Cooper MacDonald (Rowville/Collingwood), Riley Collier-Dawkins (Springvale Districts/Williamstown), Blake O’Leary (Noble Park/Frankston) and Wal Wuol (Berwick/Northern Bullants) were other locals in action across the VFL on the weekend.
Meanwhile, Casey’s VFLW side went down 16.7 103 to 2.6 18 despite Meg McDonald and Shree Fairchild, among others, cracking in hard.
