15 storylines to look out for in country footy this weekend

There is plenty going on in country footy right now with teams still trying to prove themselves as a premiership threat. We provide 15 storylines to look out for this weekend.

Cody Bramble and Sunbury have a tough contest this weekend. Picture: Hamish Blair

The wet days are starting to hit in country footy as teams start to prepare for winter and the long month ahead.

It’s been a fantastic start to the season with big wins, upset results and some teams continuing their good form from last year.

What can we expect this weekend?

We’ve picked 15 stories to look at ahead of this weekend.

Season on the line

Springbank and Todd Finco have made the past two Central Highlands grand finals. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Springbank has been one of the best teams in the Central Highlands in the past two years, making the last two grand finals. But this year the team has struggled, losing their first three matches and having a bye last week. The Tigers now face Carngham Linton, away from home, desperate for a win to kickstart their season. The Tigers have retained most of the squad from the previous season but wins need to be coming soon. A loss on Saturday would put them three games behind the eight with 13 matches to play. It starts to make it tough.

Winless teams meet up

Corowa Rutherglen celebrates his goal earlier this year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

There will be plenty on the line for Myrtleford and Corowa Rutherglen when they face each other in the Ovens and Murray league. Both are winless in five matches with their losing streak going longer than that. Myrtleford hasn’t won in 18 games with the Kangaroos not winning in their past 10 dating back to 2022. They were in recess last year 2023. Myrtleford have been competitive in all five games this year, without getting the win, while Corowa Rutherglen has impressed since coming back without getting a win themselves.

Sharp-shooters to battle each other

The leading two goalkickers in the Loddon Valley league will battle each other this weekend as Bridgewater takes on Bears Lagoon Serpentine. Josh Mellington (Bears Lagoon) has kicked 41 goals with Lachlan Sharp (Bridgewater) getting 36. Both are more than 20 goals ahead of the next best in the league. It will be interesting to see who kicks more goals as it could be important later in the season in the battle to be the leading goalkicker. Both sides have also started the season well, only losing one game out of four.

Grand final replay in Golden Rivers

Hay and Ultima will renew their rivalry this weekend in the first contest since last year’s grand final. Hay, last year, won their first grand final in 28 years with a 29-point win over the Kangaroos. Both teams enter the clash unbeaten, with a 3-0 record. It could already be a precursor to this year’s decider.

Mundy back at Seymour

For the first time in 21 years, former AFL player David Mundy is back at his home club, Seymour. Mundy will play three games for the club this season, not including finals, with his first to come on Saturday against Kyabram. It comes at an important time for the Lions. Seymour has won one of its first four matches and needs a win to keep themselves in the hunt for finals. It’s also an important game for Kyabram, last year’s grand finalists, with the team only winning two out of its first five contests.

Shepparton derby is on

Meanwhile, the Shepparton Bears will take on Shepparton Swans in the second derby of the year between Shepparton teams. Shepparton United faced the Bears in round two. The Bears have had the wood over the Swans in recent times, winning nine of the past 11 matches, dating back to 2016. Last year, the Bears won both clashes by 20 and three points respectively. This year, the Bears have improved considerably after signing players instrumental to their last premiership success in 2018. It’s worked wonders with the team 5-0 and on top of the ladder. But the Swans have also improved and will be looking to cement themselves as a legitimate finals contender with a win. It’s sure to be another close contest.

Big name returns for Warrnambool

South Warrnambool are the reigning champions. Picture: Nicole Cleary

South Warrnambool will face two ex-AFL players in their defensive 50 when it takes on Warrnambool. Both Ben Cunnington and Aaron Black have been named for the clash against the reigning premiers. Warrnambool will be looking for their first win over the Roosters since 2018 after losing the past six games to South Warrnambool.

Milestone for local footy goalkicker

Luke James will be chasing four goals to bring up 1000 goals in his career, when he plays for Nilma Darnum in the Ellinbank and District league on Saturday. His career has seen him play for clubs in the Southern league, the Alberton league, Ellinbank and District league, West Gippsland league, the Murray league and in Cairns. He currently has 996 goals in 253 games, according to PlayHQ.

Morwell to go pink

Morwell will be raising funds for Breast Cancer nurses on Saturday when the team takes on Leongatha in the Gippsland league. It’s the annual charity round for the Tigers, which sees the club don pink for the day. Even the club logo has got the pink treatment. It’s shaping as a tough match for the Tigers with Leongatha unbeaten in seniors this year. The defending premiers have beaten three of last year’s finalists – Wonthaggi, Traralgon and Moe – in the first five rounds.

Judd to crack 50?

All eyes will be on Frazer Judd who could become the first country footy player to kick 50 goals this season. The Greta forward currently has 41 goals this season, two behind the country footy leader, Cooper Thomason, who is on 43. With Thomason having the bye and Judd to face Whorouly, who have struggled this season, he could get the nine goals needed to crack the milestone in the early part of the year.

Special milestone for club

Penshurst will celebrate its 150th anniversary this weekend with a special get together on Saturday night. They’ll play Hawkesdale/Macarthur in the afternoon at home before having the celebration at the Penshurst Memorial Hall. The Bombers, formed in 1874, played their first match against Saturday’s rivals and spent its first 96 years playing in other competitions before joining the Mininera league in 1970. Since then the team has become the second most successful side in the competition with 11 premierships. This season the team is unbeaten in their first three games and are on track to adding a 12th premiership in a historic year.

Kangaroos face battle in Horsham league

Harrow Balmoral’s unbeaten run in the Horsham league will be put to its first major test this year when Swifts come to town. The Kangaroos are unbeaten in 21 matches, which included last year’s premiership in a perfect year, and have won their first three this season. Swifts have won their first four, with an average margin of 97, and have been impressive, led by handy recruits. Former Stawell player Paul Summers leads the competition with 32 goals with former Maryborough player Chris Freeman being among the best in his four matches and kicking 11 goals. It’s a fantastic turnaround after the club almost merged last year.

Can Tigers bounce back?

It’s been a tough season for Nullawil and Andrew Oberdorfer. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

It might be round five in the North Central league but Sea Lake Nandaly and Nullawil face must win matches when both face each other in a grand final replay. Both have been hammered with injuries, which has led Nullawil to a 1-3 start to the season. For the Tigers, it ended their streak in the competition, which was 21, last week against Birchip Watchem. With both expected to not be at their best, getting the four points will be valuable to their finals chances. For Nullawil, another loss would leave them almost two games out of the finals race. It’s a grand final replay with massive implications for the loser.

Premiers face tough test

The next two weeks will provide a really good gauge to where reigning premiers, Golden Square, are at when it comes to the Bendigo league. The Bulldogs face fellow Bulldogs team Gisborne away from home before taking on last year’s grand finalists Sandhurst next week. Both, in most experts opinions, are the two teams to beat this year. Golden Square dealt with the loss of plenty of personnel in the off-season including coach Christian Carter, but have started the season okay, winning two games and losing two, the opening two games of the season. It was always going to take time for the reigning premiers to get into the season with time needed for the squad to build with a new coach, new players and a new system. A win in Gisborne would silence a lot of critics and signal the reigning champs are a team to beat this year.

Lions face first big test

Sunbury could make a premiership statement on Saturday when North Ballarat comes to town. The Lions are unbeaten this season, winning their first three games, but this is the first big test for the team, facing last year’s grand finalists. North Ballarat has impressed in a brutal draw, beating Darley in week two before falling just short of being Melton in round three. A win by Sunbury would put them in those top teams being looked at as premiership favourites. The Lions will be hoping Jake Sutton continues his goalkicking form after kicking 15 goals in his opening three games this season. Sunbury has a good record against North Ballarat at home, winning three of their past four matches at Clarke Oval, dating back to 2017.