All the key talking points from the weekend’s country footy

Finals races taking a twist, breakthrough wins and huge goal hauls headlined the weekend’s country footy action. Here’s everything you need to know.

The weekend’s country footy action brought about some of the biggest talking points of the season.

Here’s everything you need to know.

DEVILS WIN AT HOME

Darley’s Shane Page and his teammates celebrated their first win at home. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Darley finally have their first win at home this season, beating Sebastopol by 17 points to maintain their top-two position in the Ballarat league. Only playing their second match at home after issues with the building of their new pavilion, the team held off a third term challenge from the Burras to win their eighth game this season. Will Johnson kicked five goals for the Devils. In other results, Ballarat defeated Bacchus Marsh by 41 points, Melton and Redan smashed Lake Wendouree and Melton South respectively with Sunbury beating East Point by 80 points to keep themselves in the top-six.

BULLDOGS MAKE STATEMENT

: Golden Square's Joel Brett kicked four goals as the team smashed Strathfieldsaye. Picture: SAA Imaging

Golden Square are one of the teams to beat this season in the Bendigo league after smashing last year’s grand finalists, Strathfieldsaye, by 78 points on Saturday. In a contest over at half -ime, the team kicked eight goals to one to set up a 36-point lead. While Strathfieldsaye were inaccurate, kicking 1.10 (16), in the first half the team had no answers to the Bulldogs in the second half, being kept scoreless in the third term. The Bulldogs have now won seven games in a row and are second on the ladder. Joel Brett and Jack Stewart kicked four goals each for Golden Square. In other results, Sandhurst defeated Kyneton by 51 points and South Bendigo won over Kangaroo Flat by 36 points. The other results saw Gisborne beat Castlemaine by 65 points with Eaglehawk winning by 104 over Maryborough.

LAST TERM HEROICS

Seymour has charged home to maintain their unbeaten run in the Goulburn Valley league and stay on the same wins as others in the top three. The team beat Mansfield by 14 points at Mansfield but it only came after a final term, which saw the team kick six goals to one to win. They were down by 18 points at three-quarter-time and Mansfield will rue not kicking straighter. Seymour’s Riley Mason kicked four goals in the win. In other results, Euroa defeated Benalla by 21 points with Mooroopna beating Shepparton by 20 points as Echuca smashed Tatura by 73 points. Finally, Kyabram defeated Rochester by 43 points with the Shepparton Swans beating Shepparton United by 38 points.

PREMIERS ARE COMING

Koroit has moved to second on the ladder in the Hampden league with a tough 10-point win over Port Fairy. Down at halftime, the Saints fought back in the second half to lead at three quarter time and then hold Port Fairy goalless in the final term to hold on. The team has now won their past four games. In other results, Camperdown defeated North Warrnambool by 16 points with South Warrnambool remaining on top with a 50-point win over Warrnambool. Cobden impressively defeated Terang Mortlake by 33 points with Hamilton winning their second game of the year with a 52-point win over Portland.

DARING TO DREAM OF A TON

Alvie star Dominic Dare moved closed to triple figures for the 2023 season with 14 goals against Colac and District league strugglers, the Western Eagles. Dare now has 73 goals for the season, the second most in country Victoria behind Brandyn Grenfell of Marong who has 81 majors.

FOUR WAY BATTLE

Wonthaggi’s Jack Hutchinson tries to get a handball away under pressure from Leongatha’s Sean Westaway. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Wonthaggi has sent a premiership statement in the Gippsland league, beating reigning premiers Leongatha by 17 points on Saturday. After falling short in the first game of the season, the Power prevailed after a third term, which saw the team kick three goals to one behind. The Parrots were unable to comeback in the final term and have now lost twice this season. The Power, the Parrots, Traralgon and Moe, who beat Maffra and Morwell respectively, are all on 10 wins and two losses. In other results, Sale defeated Bairnsdale by 80 points and Warragul won against Drouin by 12.

PIGEONS PREVAIL

A final term charge has seen Yarrawonga beat Wangaratta by one point in the Ovens and Murray grand final replay on Saturday. The Pigeons, down by 13 points at the final change, kicked five goals to three to overcome a gallant Magpies side. Wangaratta will rue their miss chances on goal, kicking 12. 14. Yarrawonga’s Leigh Williams kicked five goals to be the difference. In other results, Albury remained on top with a 39-point win over North Albury with Wangaratta Rovers holding off a late charge from Lavington to win by six points. Finally, Wodonga smashed its rivals, Wodonga Raiders, by 73 points.

EAGLES FLYING HIGH

Robinvale Euston survived a major challenge from Wentworth to maintain top in the Sunraysia league. In a contest where the margin was less than five points at each change, the Eagles held on in the final term after leading by four points at three-quarter-time. Wentworth’s Jarrod Brander kicked four goals for the Kangaroos with Isaiah Johnson responding with five for the Eagles. In other results, Red Cliffs defeated Imperials by 38 points, Ouyen United won by seven points over Merbein and Irymple survived a scare from South Mildura to win by 10 points.

A BREAKTHROUGH FOR AVOCA

Avoca is on the board for the first time this season after an impressive 14.12 (96) to 8.4 (52) victory over Royal Park in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league. The Dogs rallied after a slow start to boot nine goals to two after the main break to bank their first four points of the season. Scott Cawthan and Cody Lubeek impressed while Zack Lubeek led the way with five majors. Jacob Rollason booted four in a losing effort. The win wasn’t without its troubles with Logan Hayles taken to hospital with concussion.

FIRST LOSSES OF THE SEASON

There are now 17 undefeated teams left across country Victoria this season. Greta lost its first game of the Ovens and King league season after going down to Bright by five points at the weekend. Meanwhile, Ultima was stunned by Hay in the Golden Rivers competition.