Country footy wrap: Campbell Brown shines, ex-AFL talent kick bags

A Hawthorn premiership player shone on his debut for his new club, while there were a number of big goal tallies across the state.

Campbell Brown impressed in his debut for Kilcunda Bass. Photo: Nici Cahill/Kilcunda Bass FNC

Kilcunda Bass has its first win of the season off the back of a starring performance from a Hawthorn premiership player on a special day for the club.

After missing the opening two games of the season, former AFL hardman Campbell Brown announced his arrival to the West Gippsland Football League to lead his side to a 34-point win over Dalyston.

Brown, playing at the opposite end of the ground to where he played most of his AFL career, kicked four goals as his side’s main forward target.

The Panthers have plenty of VFL/AFL experience in their ranks this season with Sydney Swans hall of famer Stephen Wright coaching the club.

Vice-president Daryl Cartmel said the club was fortunate to have two players with just under 500 top level games between them leading the charge.

“We have a young side and they’re learning from some of the best,” he said.

“Steve has coached all around Australia and has a terrific knowledge of the game. Campbell has been terrific with the attitude he has brought to the club.

“We’re very pleased with the way they’re leading the playing group.”

The day was just as special off the field for the Panthers with the opening of the Janice and David Brown Bar, in honour of David who died last year.

“We didn’t get the opportunity to pay tribute to David last year,” Cartmel explained.

“He meant a lot to the people of the football club and the community after he did so much for us. It was a very memorable day for everyone involved.”

Big Bash sensation kicks bag

Red Cliffs forward Jake Reed in the round 3 Sunraysia football match against Imperials at Mildura's Brian Weightman Oval. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

Former Victoria and Hobart Hurricanes fast bowler Jake Reed has booted five goals for Red Cliffs in the Sunraysia league.

Returning to the club where he played junior football, the 30-year-old is showing what he can do as a full forward.

Reed kicked two goals in Round 1 and one last week in Round 2, before getting on the end of five against Imperials at Mildura’s Brian Weightman Oval.

Reed’s Tigers couldn’t get the four points however, with premiership fancies Imps flexing their muscles in a 69-point win.

Known for his speedy deliveries on the cricket pitch, Reed played seven first-class matches for Victoria and made 10 Big Bash appearances for the Hurricanes before a series of injury troubles.

In one of his most memorable performances, he earned man of the match honours for taking 4/11 against the Sydney Thunder in 2015.

Perfect day for Nilma Darnum forward

Just about everything went right for Clay Ketchen and his Nilma Darnum teammates as they stormed to a big 65-point win against Yarragon.

Ketchen booted 10 of his side’s 14 majors as he shot towards the top of the competition’s goalkicking standings.

The win was Nilma Darnum’s first of 2021.

It’s been that sort of day ❤️🖤 10 goals for Clay Ketchen! Yarragon 28 Darno’s 94

Posted by Nilma Darnum Football/Netball Club on Friday, April 23, 2021

Former Richmond forward’s big day out

Milawa is one of the team’s to beat in the Ovens and King Football League this season and it helps when they have a player of Cleve Hughes’ ability inside 50.

Hughes, who played 16 games for the Tigers over three seasons, booted 10 goals as Milawa got the better of Tarrawingee by 126 points.

The 34-year-old now has 22 goals to start the season after kicking eight goals in round one.

Returning Eaglehawk star making up for lost time

Darcy Richards is already having a massive impact for Eaglehawk following his return to the club after kicking 10 majors in a 228-point thumping of Castlemaine.

Richards had signed with the club for the 2020 season before it was cancelled having returned from North Bendigo in the Heathcote District League where he won three premierships.

He was also named the best player on the ground as Eaglehawk bounced back from their one-point loss against South Bendigo a week earlier.

Day out for Birregurra forward

Noah Allen show off exactly why he is on the Geelong Falcons’ NAB League list this season with a bag of 10 for his home club Birregurra in the Colac and District Football League.

Allen and his teammates were far too good for Otway Districts eventually prevailing by 143 points.

Ten of the best on the border

Gene Robinson is already playing a big role in helping Millicent go from wooden spooners to premiership contenders in the Western Border Football League.

On Saturday, Robinson booted 10 goals to guide his side to a 13-point win against West Gambier, following on from a bag of nine a week earlier.

Millicent finished 2019 at the bottom of the ladder without a win having won the premiership a year earlier but now appear to be back on the right track with two wins out of three to start the season.

Big bags in the Kyabram District League

Merrigum’s Joshua Smith helped confine the Shane Crawford coached Ardmona to their biggest loss of the season with an impressive 12-goal haul as his side won by 201 points.

Olympic gold medallist Steve Hooker was again in the best for the Bush Cats.

Former Fremantle forward Josh Mellington kicked 11 of his side’s 12 goals for Violet Town against Girgarre but his efforts were not enough as they went down by 19 points.

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