Country footy: Brad Ottens, Mathew Stokes and Max Rooke play together

A Geelong premiership trio pulled on the boots together again as one of the stars made a return to where it all started.

Casterton Sandford had three premiership Cats in their line-up on Saturday.

Casterton Sandford have had very little to cheer about in 2021 but on Saturday it finally did — even if the result didn’t go the right way.

Against the high-flying Millicent, the Cats welcomed three Geelong premiership players to their line-up headlined by homegrown product Max Rooke.

Rooke, now 39, was joined by Brad Ottens and Mathew Stokes who were both stars in their own right at AFL level.

Unfortunately, the presence of the star trio wasn’t enough to get the Cats over the line as they went down by 50 points.

Stokes, who also spent a season with Essendon in 2016, finished as one of his side’s better players as he kicked a goal.

Ottens showed a strong presence in the air while Rooke thrived in the contest as he did at the top level.

“As the players know, Max has been a great support to the coaching staff and players this year, giving advice and running coaching sessions and clinics with the boys,” the club in a Facebook game before the game.

Former Western Bulldogs mentor Brendan McCartney was also part of the occasion, taking a training session during the week.

14 of the best

Longwarry forward Jason Wells was at his devastating best as his side ran out 140-point winners against Yarragon on Saturday.

Wells booted 14 goals, his first double figure bag of the season, as he shot to the top of the competition’s goalkicking charts.

Longwarry now sits sixth on the Ellinbank and District ladder with the two teams above them having played an extra game.

New Loddon Valley goalkicking leader

Bridgewater’s Joshua Martyn now finds himself at the top of the Loddon Valley league goalkicking charts thanks to a day out on Saturday.

Martyn booted 15 goals to take his season tally to 49 as his side got the better of Inglewood by 140 points.

He sits three clear of Pyramid Hill’s Braidy Dickens who kicked six majors in his side’s big win over Calivil United.

Stratford forward doubles his season tally

Haydn Erfurth had 10 goals from four games coming into the weekend but he has now taken his season tally to 21.

Erfurth booted 11 goals as Stratford ran out 100-point winners against Orbost Snowy Rovers.

Rodney O‘Keefe and Jordan Robertson were also both in fine form as they combined for seven goals.

Lindenow had a big win of their own defeating Paynesville by 251 points as 15 players put the ball through the big sticks.

Aaron Hanuera led the way with six majors for the Cats.

Duke the man of the hour for Avoca

Avoca had a day out in front of the big sticks against Maryborough Rovers but no one else may have enjoyed it more than Jack Duke.

The forward booted 10 goals as his side ran out 201-point winners.

Meanwhile, Anthony Bourke kicked eight as he played his first senior game of the year.

Rennie secures first win of the year

There were plenty of reasons to smile for Rennie on Saturday as it secured its first win of the season.

The club enjoyed a big day out in a 201-point win over last place Blighty as Chase Strawhorn booted 13 majors.

His efforts took his season tally to 52 goals.

Teammate Marc Lonergan was equally as impressive as he booted nine of his own.

Kerang recruit leading the way

Kerang key forward Bryce Curnow booted seven goals in a best-on-ground performance against Koondrook Barham in the Central Murray league

The favoured Blues were far too strong at home for the Raiders, running out 74 point winners.

A premiership player with Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo league, Curnow headed north this season to take on an assistant coach role.

He leads the league goal kicking with 45 from nine starts.

Kerang are on top of the ladder with Cohuna Kangas and Woorinen each only four points back and having an extra match remaining.

Elsewhere in the league, Andrew McDonald kicked six in the Mallee Eagles‘ win over Balranald.

Meanwhile former AFL forward Angus Monfries again played a hand with three goals for Lake Boga, who defeated Tooleybuc Manangatang – their second consecutive victory after a winless start to the year.

Big bag in the Tallangatta and District league

Jack Di Mizio had a day out for Kiewa Sandy Creek on Saturday kicking 11 goals.

In his first game since May 8, Di Mizio caused plenty of problems for the Wahgunyah defence as his side ran out 170-point winners.