Country footy: Millewa and Omeo District, ex-AFL star Jeff Garlett

Finals footy is officially underway in regional Victoria meanwhile an ex-AFL star lit up his side’s return to the field. Here’s the best performances from the weekend.

Bambill came out on top in the Millewa league qualifying final against Werrimull. Photo: Werrimull FNC.

Finals footy is well and truly alive in country Victoria.

On Saturday, the Millewa and Omeo District football leagues kick started their business end of the season.

In the Millewa competition, all eyes were on the qualifying final between Bambill and Werrimull as the Saints prevailed by 55 points.

Meanwhile, Gol Gol was able to keep its season alive with a convincing 42-point win over Cardross in the elimination final.

Adam Thomson (10 goals) and Dion Collins (six) did the damage kicking 16 goals between them with a seven-goal second term setting up the win.

Bambill will now take on minor premier Nangiloc for a place in the grand final with Werrimull and Gol Gol aiming to remain in the premiership race.

Over in the Omeo District league, Omeo-Benambra were far too strong for Bruthen winning by 76 points.

A Golden day out of the Square

Golden Square forward Jayden Burke was the pick of the players across the Bendigo league after he booted 10 goals in his side’s big win over Castlemaine.

The former VFL talent took his season tally to 45 goals from 11 games, improving on the 36 majors he previously kicked for the Dogs in 2018.

Gisborne’s Pat McKenna and South Bendigo’s Kaiden Antonowicz enjoyed strong performances of their own kicking eight goals each in their side’s respective wins.

Hampden League forwards fire

It was a day out for the forwards in the penultimate round of the Hampden league as the top three sides all flexed their muscles.

Koroit’s Sam Dobson all but sewed up the goalkicking award for 2021 with a bag of eight in his side’s rout of Cobden, taking him to 55 for the season with one round to go.

Teammate William Couch also bagged eight to take him to fourth on the goalkicking table with 32.

Terang Mortlake’s William Cain kicked 10 goals in his side’s 108-point win over Port Fairy, to catapult him into third in the goalkicking race with 41 on the season, behind Camperdown’s Sam Gordon (48) who booted seven in his side’s loss to South Warrnambool.

Sam Kelly booted eight for the Roosters, who prevailed by 30 points over Camperdown to keep pressure on Koroit and North Warrnambool in the top two spots on the ladder.

Action from the Warrnambool and North Warrnambool match in Hampden league. Picture: Facebook

It will be an intriguing final round of the Hampden league with South taking on ladder-leading Koroit while North Warrnambool (second) faces fifth-placed Camperdown.

Fourth-placed Portland faces a danger-game against Warrnambool, which booted seven final-quarter goals against North Warrnambool but still came up three goals short.

Maiden Gully forward’s big day out

Coming into the weekend’s game, Wayne Mitrovic had only kicked five goals from four Loddon Valley league games this season.

But just about everything went right for him as he finished with 10 majors in his side’s big 166-point win over Inglewood.

Joshua Worsley and Matthew Gray also got in the act with five goals apiece.

Maldon forwards bag 22 between them

Maldon stars Rhys Ford (12 goals) and Tommy Horne (10 goals) ensured their side made a near perfect return to the field kicking 22 majors between them as Maldon ran out 223-point winners against Dunolly.

The result ensured Maldon remain locked in fifth position one game clear of Natte Bealiba — who recorded their own big win.

Maryborough Rovers were no match for the Swans with Jayden Templeton kicking 10 in his first game of the season.

Former AFL star lights up Ovens and Murray return

Jeff Garlett booted nine goals for Albury on the border. Photo: Michael Klein

At AFL level, Jeff Garlett always knew where the goals were and it’s not different in the Ovens and Murray league.

The former Carlton and Melbourne forward booted nine goals to lead Albury Tigers to a massive 90-point win over Myrtleford on Saturday.

Gartlett’s performance took him to nine goals for the season with former Richmond man Dean Polo booting four of his own.

New leader in Mid Gippsland goalkicking race

Joel Mitchell has rocketed to the top of the Mid Gippsland league goalkicking standings after finishing with 11 goals in Newborough’s 93-point win over Stony Creek.

Mitchell now sits eight goals clear of Hill End’s Chase Saunders with just one round to play in the home and away season.

Millicent forward edges closer to 100 goals

Gene Robinson is now just nine goals away from bringing up a ton for the Millicent Football Netball Club near the South Australian border.

Robinson moved to 91 goals at the weekend after booting 14 majors in his side’s 96-point win over West Gambier.

It was the fourth time he has kicked double figures in a game this season.