Country footy: Ex-VFL Dan Coghlan and Huntly young gun shine

There were a number of impressive performances, most notably by a former VFL captain, as country footy returned in some parts of Victoria.

Daniel Coghlan shined for a northern Victoria club playing across the border in NSW.

Former Essendon VFL captain Dan Coghlan showed some of his finest work as he helped Irymple defeat Wentworth in the Sunraysia league.

Coghlan, who won the league best and fairest McLeod Medal in 2019, is a co-coach of the Swallows this season alongside Nick Mee.

The midfield gun was able to win plenty of football in dangerous positions, kicking five goals himself and having his fingerprints on many others.

His efforts helped put a spirited comeback attempt from the Roos to bed, the Swallows winning by 33 points.

Spearhead Jason Eagle also finished with five goals for the match as Irymple’s record improved to five wins and one loss.

Saturday’s fixture was made a Wentworth home game, after the Sunraysia league made the call to move all four of its round 9 matches across the border to NSW venues.

Young gun lights up the Heathcote District League

Huntly’s Flynn Campbell produced one of the best displays of the HDFNL season on Saturday and it’s disappointing there was no crowd to witness it.

The young gun, who has played several games in the under 18s this season, booted 10 goals as the Hawks comfortably accounted for Leitchville-Gunbower by 88 points.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t enough to even earn Campbell best afield honours.

That award belonged to Jordan Formosa who kicked three goals of his own.

The top of the ladder clash between White Hills and Lockington Bamawm United was also heavily impacted by the state’s coronavirus restrictions.

White Hills were without a number of their stars including ex-AFL trio Brent Guerra, Jed Lamb and Sam Kerridge.

LBU was able to take full advantage running away winners by 133 points as Jarod Bacon kicked six goals.

Camperdown forward’s most important goals

Sam Gordon has made a habit of kicking big bags this year and his nine goals on Saturday were arguably the most important.

Gordon, who returned to the Magpies earlier this year, lifted his side who were well and truly on the back foot after the first 30 minutes of football.

At quarter-time, Hamilton Kangaroos led the contest by five goals but the home side were able to work their way back into the contest trailing by 11 points at the main break.

They were able to overrun the Roos after holding them scoreless in the final term.

It was also a special day for Dominic Absalom who played his first senior game, kicking a goal.

Dom Absalom made his senior debut for Camperdown in the Hampden League on Saturday. Photo: Camperdown FNC.

Cobden recorded a remarkable come from behind win to take the four points away from home against Warrnambool.

After trailing by 15 points at the last change, the Bombers kicked six goals to three in the fourth to record an eight-point win.

Two thrillers in the Wimmera

Horsham Saints and Warrack Eagles are probably enjoying their long weekend’s a little more after coming out on top in their respective games.

The Eagles have their first win of the season after getting the better of Nhill, who were the only other side to be winless heading into the weekend’s action.

Dalton Jaensch produced his best performance of the season with four goals to lead his side to victory.

Riley Morrow kicked an important goal in the third for Warrack. Photo: Warrack FNC.

The Saints led at every break to hold on against the Southern Mallee Giants by just four points as Sam Clyne produced a best on ground display.

Haydn Drew had the most goals of anyone on the ground with four for the Giants.

Angus Martin, Mitch Martin, Riley Hall and Nicholas Caris had two apiece for the winners.

Strathmerton flexes its muscle with monster bags

The Bulldogs are clearly one of the top teams in the Picola District League and Saturday’s monster 275-point win over last placed Blighty showed it.

Three different players reached double figures with the competition’s leading goal kicker Tim Looby took his season tally to 45 with 11 majors for the day.

Marcus McMillan had a day out in his second game for the club with 10 goals after booting five last time out.

Zack Betson also filled his boots with 10 goals.

Hankin shines across the border

David Hankin booted seven goals under lights for Imperials in what was an emphatic win against South Mildura in the Sunraysia league.

The match was played away from Imps’ Mildura base at the home ground of Millewa league club Gol Gol, across the border in NSW, to allow crowds to attend.

A late start was needed to accommodate all the day‘s junior and senior fixtures.

But despite chilly conditions, Hankin made it worth the wait for the “home” fans, playing a key role in the 98-point win against a Bulldogs side that had been sitting in the top two with just one loss to their name.

Imps moved above South on the ladder as a result of the win.