AFL Yarra Ranges: Leigh McCombe signs off in style at Yarra Junction with 19-goal haul

PLAYING the last game of his career, Leigh McCombe signed off in style at Yarra Junction with an incredible 19-goal haul.

YOU’RE a long time retired and you’re only as good as your last game.

On Saturday, Yarra Junction’s Leigh McCombe managed the equivalent of a cricketer smashing an unbeaten double-century in his last innings when he booted 19 goals as the Eagles set about a 34.19 (223) to 0.0 (0) win over Thornton Eildon in their Division 2 clash at Yarra Junction.

YOUNG GUNS DOING MT EVELYN PROUD

NEW CLUB COMMITS TO JOIN REVAMPED LEAGUE

“I think I kicked about 19.10,” McCombe said on Sunday.

“It was pretty good, it was wet and the ground wasn’t in great condition. I’ve never kicked that many before, I think my best was 15.”

The club in fact reported he kicked 19.7 from 29 kicks, a momentous haul.

Unfortunately, McCombe’s haul will be his swan song, a severe ankle injury curtailing his career.

Warned by physios not to play again — he hasn’t pulled on the boots since early in the season — McCombe will still play a vital role at the club, acting as assistant to coach Johnno Holmes.

“I grew up in the Yarra Valley and came back to help Johnno out,” McCombe said. “I hadn’t played all year, that was my first game in about six months.”

Yarra Junction's Leigh McCombe booted 19 goals in his swan song on Saturday. Picture: Supplied.

Holmes said McCombe had nagged for one last afternoon on the park: “He retired after round three, the physio told me he isn’t to play again.

“But he kept ringing me ‘can I have one more game, can I have one more game?’.”

So, to help mark the club’s annual past players day, McCombe was selected one last time and seems to have quite an affinity for the big occasion.

“He kicked 15 in last year’s past players day as well,” Holmes said. “I’d really love to have him (for the rest of the year) but he has to work, he has to look after his ankle.”

An undermanned Thornton Eildon has found the going tough this year and, on Saturday, had seven or eight players backing up from the reserves.

Holmes was full of praise for the Roos in getting out and playing rather than forfeiting. Just 12 months ago, Yarra Junction was also finding things hard.

“We finished second or third bottom last year, and we’ve built from there,” Holmes said.

In other games this week, Yarra Glen had a 26.27 (183) to 4.5 (29) win over Kinglake while Gembrook Cockatoo beat Alexandra 14.16 (100) to 9.7 (61) and Powelltown got over Yea 14.10 (94) to 11.12 (78). Seville had the bye.