Country footy: Gormandale, Inglewood win first games since 2018

Two country clubs broke through for their first wins since 2018 while there were big goalkickers across the state. See all the big performances and moments in our country footy wrap.

The return of country footy has already brought what are sure to be some of the best moments of the 2022 season.

Two clubs, Inglewood and Gormandale, have broken through for their first wins in four years to kick start their seasons.

Inglewood got the better of Calivil United in the Loddon Valley league to end its 1435-day drought.

Remarkably, it was the same opposition the Blues got the better of back in 2018.

The Blues impressive goalkicking of 15.4 (94) played a big part in helping them come away with the victory which sparked wild celebrations.

Meanwhile in the North Gippsland competition, Gormandale got back on the winners list for the first time in 1337 days.

The Tigers were far too good for Cowwarr winning by 17 points after leading at every chance.

Among the team’s better performers were new recruits Dion Munkara and Adam Tipungwuti.

Tipungwuti finished with three majors for the afternoon.

Mitchell Jones, Kodie Owen, Tyler Atle and William Flanagan were also named among the Tigers better players.

Gormandale broke through for its first win since 2018. Photo: Facebook.

Elsewhere in country Victoria, Broadford got on the board in the Outer East league’s division 2 competition after going winless in 2021.

Tallangatta and District league club Wodonga Saints were another team who went winless last year to start their season with a win.

They got the better of Wahgunyah who have had their own public battles throughout the off-season.

Meanwhile in the Western Border league, Casterton Sandford won for the first time since 2019.

Victoria’s leading goalkicker looking good again

After being the only man to kick 100 goals in the state last season, Josh Mellington looks on track to do it again for Violet Town.

The former AFL forward booted 17 goals in his side’s Kyabram District league win over Longwood.

His teammate Jack Excell booted 13 of his own in the 250-point win.

Former AFL big man Nathan Vardy enjoyed a fine debut for North Warrnambool. Photo: AAP.

Six on debut for former AFL big man

Former Geelong and West Coast big man Nathan Vardy booted six goals as North Warrnambool got their season off to the perfect start in the Hampden league.

The Eagles were far too good for Port Fairy getting home by 202 points at Gardens Oval.

Vardy wasn’t even the leading goalkicker for his side as Dylan Parish finished with seven majors.

Jarryd Lewis also booted six in a winning effort.

Shootout in the Heathcote and District League

Goals certainly weren’t hard to come by in the Heathcote and District League clash between North Bendigo and Heathcote as the former came away with a 10-point win.

The game finished 18.10 (118) to 17.6 (108) with Dylan Klemm and Matthew Gray both finishing with four goals in a winning effort.

Kai Cavallaro finished with four of his own on the losing side.

Plenty of goals in the Murray league

There were plenty of opportunities for the forwards to fill their boots in the Murray league on Saturday with some big results across the competition.

Premiership favourites Tongala flexed its muscle with a big 149-point win over Echuca United as NT superboot Darren Ewing finished with 13 majors.

Meanwhile, Deniliquin Rams forward Todd Gallagher kicked 10 against the Jackson Trengove coached Barooga.