Country footy: Josh Mellington kicks 17 for Violet Town, Darren Jolly and Mark Blake debut

A former Fremantle forward had a day out in northern Victoria kicking 17 goals while two former AFL big men pulled on new colours for the first time.

Darren Jolly made his debut for East Point on the weekend.

Josh Mellington has made a habit of kicking goals wherever he has gone since leaving the AFL system and Violet Town is no different.

On Saturday, the 28-year-old took his season tally to a remarkable 74 goals from just eight matches after booting 17 against a hapless Rushworth.

And he “dished a few off too” according to the club’s Twitter account.

The former Fremantle forward already has four games in double figures this season but his effort at the weekend eclipsed his previous best of 14 against Undera back in May.

Violet Town’s 134-point win was a much needed won as they aim to keep touch with the competition’s top six, with a game in hand.

Although, sixth-placed Merrigum have a superior percentage of 200.76 per cent.

Mellington wasn’t the only player in the competition to fill his boots either as Brenton Campbell booted 10 in his return for Undera as his side easily accounted for Ardmona.

James Lloyd marked his first appearance for Shepparton East with a dominant display of his own booting eight goals as the Eagles got the better of Tallygaroopna.

Hampden League’s new goalkicking leader

Camperdown’s Samuel Gordon has rocketed to the top of the Hampden League goalkicking charts with a monster-10 goal display against Port Fairy.

The former Geelong Falcon now has 43 goals for the season and sits two clear of Koroit’s Sam Dobson who snagged four majors on the weekend to sit on 41.

Gordon’s rise to the top has all come in his past three games having booted 22 goals since the competition resumed.

Camperdown also unveiled their sixth first-gamer of the season with Harry Sumner making his debut.

Huge haul for South Bendigo forward

Just about everything Kaiden Antonowicz touched turned to gold on Saturday as South Bendigo ran out big winners in the Bendigo League.

Antonowicz booted 11 goals as his side pushed Maryborough aside in a 134-point thumping with the star forward taking his season tally to 39 in a best on ground display.

Alex Ralph-Smith was also impressive with four goals in his fourth game of the season.

Monfries fires in breakthrough win

Former Essendon and Port Adelaide AFL forward Angus Monfries helped Lake Boga finally get on the board in 2021.

The Magpies made the trip to Balranald seeking their first win after seven losses to start the Central Murray League season.

It was a close affair, with just one point separating the sides at both quarter time and three quarter time.

But the visitors did enough in the last term to secure a memorable seven-point win.

Monfries, who kicked four goals, was named Lake Boga‘s best.

The 34-year-old, who played 211 AFL games, crossed over to Lake Boga in 2020 after a season at Castlemaine in the Bendigo league.

He leads the club’s goalkicking with 17.

Former Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries starred in Lake Boga’s first win. Picture: Stephen Laffer.

Can he win the goalkicking in half a season?

Brandyn Grenfell’s start to life with Marong in the Loddon Valley League couldn’t have gone any better.

After booting 10 goals on debut last week, Grenfell kicked 12 in a 152-point drubbing of Newbridge on Saturday in his first game in front of his new supporters.

He’s now given himself every opportunity to chase down Pyramid Hill’s Braidy Dickens, who has 40 goals, if he can snag another couple of big bags.

Mathoura forward goes big

Izaac Johnson has made a habit of causing trouble for opposition defenders this season, kicking at least one goal in all but one game for Mathoura.

On Saturday, it all came together as he booted 12 in a 186-point thumping of Blighty in the Picola District League.

He wasn’t even listed as the best player on the ground, that went to Jake Ellery.

Ex-AFL big men make their debuts

Two local clubs across the state were fortunate enough to have AFL premiership players in their respective line-ups for the first time on Saturday.

Darren Jolly, a veteran of three AFL clubs, turned out for East Point in the Ballarat League as his side ran out 88 point winners over the winless Darley.

But it was Brad Whittaker who stole the headlines with five goals.

In the Kyabram District League, former Geelong big man Mark Blake featured in Nagambie’s 96-point win over Dookie United.

Blake received a clearance in the lead-up to the game from Geelong and District club Winchelsea.

Nicholas Waterson was named the best player on the ground for the Lakers.

Mark Blake played his first game for Nagambie.

Carisbrook forward eyeing triple figures

While there are no guarantees in footy, the chances of Anthony Zelencich kicking 100 goals this season are extremely high.

The Carisbrook forward now sits at the top of the Maryborough Castlemaine District League standings with 67 after back-to-back double figure efforts.

Zelencich booted 14 as his side ran out massive 258-point winners against Maryborough Rovers on Saturday.

Not to be outshone, Zak Rinaldi booted nine of his own.

Min‘s handy seven

After a disappointing fortnight for South Mildura in the Sunraysia League, with two big losses to fellow top four sides, the Bulldogs were looking to get back on track against Red Cliffs.

Small forward Matthew Min was up to the task, booting seven goals to help his team steady the ship with a 48-point win.

Min, a recruit from South Australia‘s Riverland, brought his season tally to 32, the second best haul in the league.

Swifts Creek recruit grabbing the headlines

When a mid-season recruit arrives at your doors, you can hope they deliver.

It’s exactly what Darren Allen has produced for Swifts Creek in the Omeo and District League in just his second game.

After crossing from East Gippsland, Allen booted 11 goals in his second game for the club as the Demons got the better of Swan Reach by 181 points.

Big bags in the Tallangatta and District League

Kiewa Sandy Creek’s Nicholas Beattie has put himself in contention to win the goalkicking award at season’s end thanks to a huge effort on Saturday.

Beattie booted 12 goals, comfortably his best effort of the season, as the Hawks overpowered Mitta United by 85 points.

Meanwhile, Thurgoona’s Todd Miller had a day out of his own kicking 10 goals as the Bulldogs beat Wahgunyah by 101 points.

Gavin Cathie kicked six goals in a losing effort.