Country footy: Hepburn’s Sam Dunstan kicks 16, Torquay star Lucas Anderson boots 13

There were some impressive performances across regional Victoria as country footy returned. Here are some of the biggest stories.

Torquay’s Lucas Anderson fired for the Tigers in a big win. Picture: Mark Wilson

Hepburn star Sam Dunstan has moved closer to reaching the magical tally of 100 goals for a second consecutive season after he booted double figures for the second time this year.

Dunstan, who is one of the top goalkickers in the state, finished the afternoon with 16 majors as Hepburn thumped Ballan by 175 points.

Earlier this year, Dunstan kicked 22 goals against Central Highlands league strugglers Carngham Linton.

He now has 73 goals for the season from 10 games.

Torquay forwards have a day out

Lucas Anderson and Paul McMahon couldn’t have asked for a better return to the field on Saturday as Torquay ran rampant against Portarlington in the Bellarine league.

Anderson booted 13 goals to move to the top of the competition’s goalkicking charts with 56 from 10 games.

Meanwhile, McMahon took his own season tally to 39 with 10 majors having kicked seven in his last game before Victoria’s fifth lockdown.

The Tigers, who remain undefeated on top of the ladder after 12 rounds, ran out 248-point winners.

James Darke, Tom Yensch and Sam Wormald were named among the Tigers better players.

Winless run over for North Shore

In the battle of two previously winless Geelong league sides, it was North Shore who came away with the win.

An eight-goal second term helped the home side establish a 29-point lead the main break before holding off St Albans in the second half.

Jason Devenport was named the best player on the ground as several players finished with two goals.

Dylan Pettingill kicked three goals in a losing effort for the visitors.

Goals galore for Mininera and District contender

Stopping Woorndoo Mortlake’s forwards could be a difficult task for Mininera and District teams come finals.

That’s because the undefeated Tigers now have five players with over 20 goals for the season.

On Saturday, it was Jesse Horan who took the most of his opportunities booting eight goals as his side ran out 116-point winners over Moyston Willaura.

Grant Cameron, who leads the way for the ladder leaders with 48 goals, was absent from the weekend’s clash.

Greta forward returns with a bang

Daniel Cassidy didn’t show too many signs of rust when the Ovens and King league returned on Saturday.

The Greta forward booted 10 goals as his side ran out comfortable 56-point winners against North Wangaratta to keep touch with the competition’s top five.

It was the first time Cassidy has reached double figures in club colours.

Elsewhere, Bonnie Doon duo Blake Azzopardi (seven goals) and Morgan Evans (six) combined for 13 goals as the Bombers easily accounted for King Valley by 95 point.

Milawa’s Cleve Hughes kicked six goals to maintain his lead at the top of the competition goalkicking charts with 55.

Picola United forwards fill their boots

While it was another difficult day for last placed Blighty, Picola United’s forwards made the most of every opportunity they had in front of goal.

Ben Gill (10 goals), Taylor Beard (seven) and Hayden Brown (six) combined for 23 of the home side’s 42 majors as United ran out 261-point winners.

The win was Picola’s fourth of the season.

Mathoura recruit Josh Flight had a day out against his former club, Deniliquin Rovers, kicking eight goals in the Timbercutters’ 98-point win.

Meanwhile, the points were spilt between Tungamah and Jerilderie after the game was called off on Friday.

The original plan had been to play the game at Berrigan, as Jerilderie is outside the Victoria-NSW border bubble, but the local council denied the request.

Hampden league finals taking shape

North Warrnambool Eagles put on a wet-weather masterclass and may have wrapped up a finals double-chance in the process with victory over third-placed South Warrnambool.

The Roosters were held goalless in the second half as the Eagles ran out 30-point victors at Friendly Societies Park.

Young gun Jett Bermingham was the Eagles best with Dion Johnstone the only multiple goalkicker on the day with two.

Former Hawthorn defender Ricky Henderson and Shannon Beks were among the best for South Warrnambool.

The Eagles and Koroit sit top the Hampden league ladder on 40 points.

The Saints were far too strong for Terang Mortlake with Sam Dobson booting four goals in the 97-point rout.

League-leading goalkicker Sam Gordon booted five for Camperdown as it outlasted Cobden by eight points.

The victory keeps Camperdown in fourth on the ladder, ahead of Portland which accounted for Port Fairy.

Warrnambool put in a well-rounded performance to defeat Hamilton Kangaroos with Jye Turland, Jackson Bell and Jason Rowan each kicking two majors.

Thrillers in the southwest

Saturday’s wet weather made for muddy, scrappy play but it also helped set up some low-scoring thrillers in the Warrnambool District league.

Fourth-placed Merrivale prevailed over third-placed Panmure in a seesawing contest.

The Tigers enjoyed an eight-point lead at the major break before Panmure produced a three-goal third term to take a one-point advantage into the last term.

Merrivale, despite having two players injured early in the clash, was able to get the job done 7.14 (56) to 8.5 (53) with Luke Byrne and Nathan Krepp bagging two goals apiece.

Despite trailing most of the day, Old Collegians were in front when it mattered to defeat Allansford by one point.

The league’s top two sides had little trouble in their matches with Nirranda and Kolora Noorat convincing winners.

Ben Threlfall kicked five and Dylan Lees four as Nirranda pummelled Timboon by 141 points.

Kolora Noorat kicked away in the second half of its clash against South Rovers with Harry Darcy booting four in the 35-point win.

Russells Creek was the other winner on Saturday, with Jyran Chatfield snaring five goals in the 55-point victory over Dennington.

Day out ends Seymour’s unbeaten run

Seymour’s unbeaten run in the Goulburn Valley league is over thanks to stunning display from Mansfield’s Will Foster.

The Eagles forward booted 10 goals as the home side ran out convincing 45-point winners in a make-up game for the two sides.

Star onballer Patty Marks was also impressive with four goals while captain Brett Mahoney was named the best player on the ground.

More competitions to resume next weekend

While only a handful of competitions across Victoria elected to return to the field on Saturday, it is expected more will follow suit on August 7.

Many league and club officials have cited the no crowds as the reason for deciding no to return to the field.

A full list of competition decisions so far can be found here.