Country footy wrap: Dale Thomas’ Ballan debut, Ardmona wins

A former Collingwood and Carlton star made a one-off appearance for Ballan, while there were some drought-breaking wins across the state.

Dale Thomas returned to the footy field with Ballan at the weekend. Pic: Michael Klein

Former Carlton and Collingwood star Dale Thomas was unable to inspire a Central Highlands league club to their first win of the season in a one-off appearance on Saturday.

“Daisy” took to the field in the navy blue of Ballan against Daylesford but the Bulldogs were far too good coming away with a 43-point victory.

Sporting a long sleeve, Thomas gave the crowd something to cheer about when he put through a goal through the big sticks.

Ballan coach Tristan Batten said having Thomas for the day was a massive boost for his young group.

“We’ve only got a couple of guys who are older than 23,” he explained.

“To have someone like Daisy come in a play for the day is something a lot of the boys will never forget. It was an awesome day for the club.

“Our crowd numbers have been good in the opening few rounds but it was only bigger with Daisy in town.”

Dale Thomas made a one-off appearance for Ballan on Saturday.

Thomas wasn’t the only well-known AFL face in town either with Ricky Nixon making the trip to the area where he took part in a post-match function with the Magpies premiership star.

“The boys hung around, took photos and gave out autographs,” Batten said.

“We had our yabby racing night which was a real success. We’re grateful to Daisy and Ricky for giving up so much of their time.”

Ardmona break their drought

Shane Crawford has his first win as Ardmona coach after the Bush Cats prevailed by 126 points against Longwood in the Kyabram District League on Saturday.

The home side raced out of the blocks, kicking eight goals to three in the first term before piling on another seven in the second to establish a 81-point halftime lead.

And they refused to let up after the main break as they added another 10 majors.

Beau Jackson had a day out at full-forward as he kicked six goals in a best on ground display as Cameron Hall and Joshua Catalano added three of their own.

Thorpdale break a drought of their own

After going through the 2019 season without a win, Thorpdale are finally back on the winners’ list in the Mid Gippsland Football League.

In a thrilling contest, Thorpdale led at every change to come away with a 17-point win against Tarwin with Matt Powell kicking five goals to have a major impact on the result.

Mitchell Chopping was named the best player on the ground for Thorpdale.

Former Richmond forward does it again

Cleve Hughes has now reached double figures twice in the opening six rounds of the Ovens and King Football League for Milawa.

After kicking 10 two weeks ago, Hughes went and bettered his tally on the weekend as Milawa recorded a monster 153-point win over Moyhu as the 34-year-old booted 14.

Nangiloc forward goes even bigger

Korey Loechel’s past fortnight can be described as nothing other than a dream for a forward.

On Saturday, the Nangiloc star booted 10, a week after he put seven through, to lead his side to a convincing 6-point win over Cardross.

His efforts took his season tally in the Millewa league to 22 as his side maintained their perfect start to 2021.

It was also a special day for Cam “Chewy” Peters who played his 150th game for the club.

Crafty goal scorer with another haul

Also in the state’s northwest, Nick Pezzaniti is another goal sneak coming off an impressive fortnight.

The “Pez”, a crafty forward who knows how to celebrate, kicked seven goals for reigning Sunraysia premiers Irymple last weekend against Red Cliffs.

As they surged to their second win on the trot, and third for the season, Pezzaniti booted five more against Robinvale Euston.

It was a dominant showing for the Swallows, who kicked 20 goals on their way to a 93-point win.

Pezzaniti leads the Sunraysia league goal kicking with 18 majors so far.

Former GWS Giant’s big day out

When Pat McKenna returned home to Gisborne after a four-year stint in the AFL in 2019, he made an immediate impact kicking 95 goals for the year.

And he has put himself well on track to bettering that in 2021, after a remarkable 12-goal haul in his side’s 212-point demolition of Castlemaine in the Bendigo Football League.

Pat McKenna was in fine form for Gisborne on Saturday with 12 goals. Picture Aaron Cook

But if McKenna does want to take out the goalkicking award at season’s end, he will have to hope Strathfieldsaye’s Lachlan Sharp doesn’t continue to dominate games after he kicked 12 of his own.

Sharp already has a seven-goal lead, although McKenna has played two less games.

Read all about it Folkes

Great Western are perfect after the first four rounds of the Mininera and District Football League season and Damon Folkes is a big reason why.

On Saturday, the key forward kicked 10 goals to lead his side to a 172-point thumping of Hawkesdale Macarthur, a week after kicking seven.

An almighty Woodside response

After a shock loss to Sale City last week, Woodside knew that it had to get back to winning ways and they couldn’t have done it any better against Gormandale.

Led by Michael Duncan’s 10 majors, the Wildcats moved back to the top of the ladder in an 89-point demolition which included an eight-goal final term from the home side.

Double figures two weeks running

Russells Creek’s Jyran Chatfield simply can’t miss at the moment.

In his side’s 100-point win at the weekend over Dennington, Chatfield booted another 11 majors after kicking 10 last week.

He sits well clear at the top of the Warrnambool and District League standing with 28 goals.

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