All the talking points from the weekend of football
Two players kicked a bag of goals in big wins for their team, as former AFL stars impressed and winning streaks came to an end. Here are the talking points of the weekend so far.
Local Footy
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It was another bumper weekend of footy as two players had a day out, a streak ended in one of the metro competitions and two clubs made a major move.
Here are some of the biggest talking points from the weekend’s local footy action …
TWO CLUBS MAKE MOVE
Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park have made the decision to amalgamate at the end of this season.
The two Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League sides, based in central Victoria, officially voted to ratify the decision this week and made the announcement to their members on Friday night.
A new club will be formed next year with new colours after both clubs earlier this year got together to explore the possibility of merging.
This year will be the final year of both clubs with both in action on Saturday in the competition.
Maryborough Rovers lost to Maldon by 60 points with Royal Park losing to Talbot by 105 points.
SHARKS’ STEAL
Doncaster staged a remarkable fightback to etch its first victory of the Eastern league Premier Division season, rallying from 35 points down at halftime to pip Berwick, 7.5 (47) to 7.3 (45).
The Sharks went goalless to the main break following their 136-point hiding last weekend, before holding the Wickers to just one major after halftime.
BULLDOGS ROAR
A five-goal haul to Aaron Mullett has seen Wandin maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier Division season in Outer East.
In a high scoring contest the Bulldogs defeated last year’s premiers Narre Warren in a high scoring contest, 21.13 (133) to 14.17 (101)
The reigning premiers have now lost two of their first three games.
BURNERS RUN HOT
Blackburn handed ladder-leader Doncaster East its first defeat of the season in the Eastern league’s top-flight, with the hosts banking their first win for 2023 in the 16.8 (104) to 11.20 (86) result.
Recovering from a wasteful opening term proved a bridge too far for Doncaster East, kicking 1.9 to Blackburn’s 6.0 as the victors answered every challenge thereafter.
MCEVOY RETURN TO NO AVAIL
Colbinabbin started well but couldn’t beat Mount Pleasant as ex-Hawthorn captain Ben McEvoy played for the Grasshoppers.
McEvoy played his first game since his AFL retirement to play with his brothers Matt and Peter.
The Grasshoppers led at quarter time by 12 points before the Blues got on top in the second term, kicking six goals to one.
The Blues won by 49 points to maintain their unbeaten run this season.
BLOODS WIN AGAIN
Melton remain the team to beat in the Ballarat league after beating Sebastopol by 17 points in the grand final replay at MacPherson Park.
The reigning premiers defeated the Burras after a second-half surge.
Sebastopol led by three goals at quarter and half time but were unable to stop the Bloods from coming back.
Melton kicked seven second half goals to two to kick away in the end.
The team had nine individual goalscorers with Ryan Carter and Brody Sullivan kicking two goals each.
WINNING STREAK OVER
The Whitehorse Pioneers ended Ferntree Gully’s seven-game winning streak in the Eastern league’s Division 3, overturning an 18-point deficit at the final change to win 10.17 (77) to 11.6 (72).
Ferntree Gully had lost just once since Round 13 last year, winning 10 of its past 11 outings entering the match.
EDFL STUNNER
West Coburg has emerged with a thrilling three-point victory over Deer Park in the Essendon District league.
The Burgers came from behind at three quarter time to enjoy the win.
Ibrahim Taha booted four while Omar Saad chipped in with three.
DROUGHT ALMOST OVER
Maryborough almost ended their 29 game winless streak in the Bendigo league, being overrun in the last term by Kangaroo Flat.
The Magpies, winless since 2021, led for most of the contest with Sandringham VFL player Jacob Lohmann adding some much needed grunt in the midfield.
Maryborough led at three quarter time but Flat were able to kick six goals in the final term to inflict a 30th straight loss to the club.
GEORGE’S DAY OUT
Yackandandah’s Casey George had a day out in the Tallangatta and District league, kicking 20 goals in the sides 317 point win over Wahgunyah.
George became the first player in country football this season to kick more than 20 goals.
The game was all over at quarter time after the Kangaroos kicked 101 points to lead by the margin at quarter time.
The side added more than 10 goals in the final two terms to record one of the highest scores and wins in the clubs history.
UNBEATEN RUN OVER
Heidelberg’s 18 game winning streak is over after Montmorency won by five points in Division 1 in the Northern Football League.
The Tigers last year lost one game on their way to the title and started this season with two wins.
The Pies ended the run, holding off a late charge from Heidelberg, to win 14.5 (93) to 13.6 (88) after leading at half time and three-quarter-time by 12 points.
HUGE HAUL IN THE WRFL
Suns put together a monster win over North Sunshine prevailing 47.14 (296) to 3.3 (21) in Division 3 of the Western Region Football League.
Daniel Hovey was at the centre of the action with over 20 goals.
FIGHT BACK
Newtown and Chilwell have fought back from a 20 point half time deficit to beat South Barwon in the Geelong Football League.
Last year’s preliminary finalists remain unbeaten after kicking seven goals to four in the second half to win the contest, 11.11 (77) to 11.8 (74).
The team joins three other teams, Bell Park, Colac and St Joseph’s, on three wins so far this season.
DREAM START
Springvale Districts remain the only team unbeaten in the Southern Football League after a 22-point win over Chelsea Heights in Division 1.
A blistering start, which saw the team kick six goals in the first term, helped the team to a win, 14.9 (93) to 10.11 (71).
Daniel Helmore kicked three goals for the Demons.
WALLIS STARS
Former Western Bulldogs player Mitch Wallis kicked three goals for St Kevins as the team remained unbeaten in the VAFA Premier Division.
Wallis kicked his second haul of three goals this season to guide SKOB to a 40 point win over Old Melburnians, 18.10 (118) to 12.6 (78).
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