Get a wrap of Saturday’s local footy from around Victoria’s metro and country leagues
A local footy match is called off after a scary injury, two country guns duel with big bags and more teams end long losing streaks. Get a full wrap of the action here.
Local Footy
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It’s been another big weekend of local footy.
There were dramatic finishes, big bags of goals, eye-catching performances and gutsy wins.
We’ve wrapped up the best highlights, results and news from Saturday’s matches.
Check out all the latest from around Melbourne and country leagues.
SCARY COLLISION, GAME CALLED OFF
The match between Watsonia and Panton Hill was called off after a scary incident saw Saints forward Jimmy Charbel suffer an apparent neck injury. The youngster was involved in a heavy collision 12 minutes into the final quarter at Binnak Park. Trainers made the decision to not move him from the ground after he experienced tingling with an ambulance called. It saw the game brought to an early end with the Redbacks claiming a 17-point win, 11.6 (72) to 7.13 (55). Riley Livingstone booted five goals for Panton Hill in a superb display in attack. Teammates and Panton Hill players sat with Charbel on the ground as they waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Watsonia coach George Lattouf said Charbel had movement in all his limbs and was in good spirits but was forced to wait for paramedics under the spinal injury protocols.
ROWVILLE HEAP MORE PAIN ON EAGLES
Reigning premier Rowville has condemned Vermont to a 0-3 start to the season with an 11.17 (83) to 6.11 (47) win in the EFNL Premier Division grand final rematch. Four opening-half goals from Lachlan Wynd helped the Hawks to a 39-point lead at the main break after holding the hosts goalless in the first quarter. Vermont hit back in the third, cutting the deficit to just 22 at the final change but the hosts weren’t to be denied a 3-0 start to their campaign.
CITY ON THE BOARD
In Division 2, St Kilda City recorded its first win in over a year, pipping Keysborough in a tight finish. The Saints defeated the Burras 14.10 (94) to 14.6 (90) after trailing by four goals at half time. The win was the club’s first in 18 matches, a streak dating back to 2023 after losing 15 straight to be relegated from Division 1 before dropping the first three matches this season. Ethan Whish-Wilson played a crucial role for the Saints.
GREENVALE BY THE BAREST MARGIN
A superb Ryan Townsend performance and three goals each to Callum Di Pietro and Ben Speight has helped Greenvale secure a thrilling one-point win over EDFL Premier Division rival East Keilor. In a mesmerising final term, the Cougars stormed home, coming from 16 points down at three-quarter-time, with a stunning seven-goal burst. But the Jets kicked five goals of their own to hold on 16.14 (110) to 17.7 (109) at Overland Reserve. Townsend, Daniel Trifunovic and Daniel Micevski were Greenvale’s best, while Lachlan Smart (six goals), Nayef Hamad and Zen Christofi led East.
LIONS SURVIVE SCARE
Reigning VAFA Premier Division premier Collegians is on the board in 2024 … just. The Lions survived a huge challenge from Old Scotch at Harry Trott Oval, winning by three points. Trailing by 10 points at three-quarter-time, Collegians roared home to steal the four points, 7.9 (51) to 6.12 (48) with Scotch left to rue terrible inaccuracy. After dropping the first two games of the season, it’s a welcome relief for the Lions.
PADDY POWERS PANTHERS
Paddy Ryder’s Devon Meadows remained unbeaten in MPFNL Division 2 after beating Karingal by 65 points, 16.14 (110) to 7.3 (45). Ryder kicked four goals while fellow former AFL player Dean Kent was best afield, with Jayden Sullivan, Dylan Gregson and teenager Toby Sinnema also impressing. Chelsea, under coach David Willett, also kept its undefeated record in tact, thrashing neighbours Bonbeach by 84 points, 17.16 (118) to 4.10 (34).
CORP, LAMB TAME COLTS
A match-winning 11 goals between East Brighton forwards Nick Corp and Tom Lamb guided the Vampires to a comprehensive win over Port Melbourne Colts. Corp booted six and Lamb five in the 18.11 (119) to 8.8 (56) win. The Colts, led by former Demon Michael Hibberd, were undefeated heading into the match. Sean Downie and Cale Love-Linay were immense in the Vampires’ midfield while Daniel Taberner was flawless in the ruck.
SHARP, MELLINGTON GO BIG
Lachlan Sharp is used to big bags but 15 majors is one of his all-time best. The Bridgewater spearhead put in a dominant display to power his team to a 150-point win over Loddon Valley league rival Inglewood. Shark now has 35 goals in three matches this season after booting 98 majors last year. Joseph Mayes, Xavier Walsh and Andrew Collins shone for the victors. Meanwhile, at Bears Lagoon Serpentine, goalkicking rival Josh Mellington also notched 15 goals in an 80-point win over Newbridge.
CUNNINGTON POWERS BLUES
Former North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington has had his best game at his new club, Warrnambool, with the Blues smashing Hampden rival Camperdown by 59 points at Reid Oval. Cunnington kicked five goals in the 18.9 (117) to 8.10 (58) victory and now has nine for the season. Jordan Walters was named best-on-ground, while Jye Turland, Luke Cody, Jed Turland and Taylem Wason also impressed. Camperdown is yet to register a win this season.
SHARKS PIP EAGLES
Yarraville-Seddon’s last-quarter surge fell short as Point Cook Centrals held on for its first win of the Western league season. The Sharks claimed a critical six-point victory at Yarraville Oval, 16.13 (109) to 16.7 (103). Trailing by 17 points at three-quarter-time, the Eagles charged home with a six-goal burst but came up short as Centrals booted four goals of their own in a back-and-forth finish.
KEVS’ REPEAT PERFORMANCE
In the VAFA Premier Division Women’s grand final rematch, St Kevin’s once again proved too good for Kew. In the weekend’s livestreamed Kommunity TV Match of the Round, SKOBs held their title rival goalless for three quarters to record a 32-point victory at TH King Oval. Sarah Cameron booted three of St Kevin’s six majors to inspire the 6.6 (42) to 1.4 (10) win and continue her club’s dominance, earning a 3-0 start to the season.
BLOODS’ FLAG STATEMENT
Melton have sent a premiership statement in the Ballarat league, beating grand finalist North Ballarat by six points at Macpherson Oval. The Roosters were coming off a strong win over reigning premiers Darley. Led by captain Braedan Kight’s five-goal display, the Bloods held off a late challenge to win 12.15 (87) to 12.9 (81) with inaccuracy costing the Bloods a more comfortable victory.
YOUNG GUN LIFTS ROOSTERS
Exciting young forward Dante Colosimo, the 2023 NFNL Division 1 Under-19s league best-and-fairest, has produced a match-winning display for West Preston-Lakeside. The young gun booted four goals as the Roosters defeated Macleod by 38 points at Moore Park. In a potential early-season relegation battle, West Preston won its first game of the season 16.13 (109) to 10.11 (71). Darcy Barden and Shane Doherty both kicked three goals for the Kangas.
PIGS’ COMPLETE COMEBACK
Yarra Glen claimed a thrilling 11-point victory over Yarra Junction in the Outer East league’s Division 1. The Pigs were four points down at the final change but restricted the Eagles to just four behinds in the last quarter while slotting three goals of their own. Nick McKenzie booted three goals and Noah Battle was named best afield for Yarra Glen as it saluted 11.12 (78) to 9.13 (67).
STONECATS SIZZLE
Frankston YCW improved its record to 3-1 in MPFNL Division 1 with an 18-point win over a fast-finishing Frankston Bombers, 15.11 (101) to 12.11 (83). Livewire forward Christian Tsiampas kicked four goals for the Stonecats while Officer recruit Luke Smaluch was best afield. The Bombers were game, outscoring YCW five-goals-to-two in the last term, with ruckman Harry Prior and captain Alex Harnett outstanding.
SWAN STEPS OUT FOR ARARAT EAGLES
Dane Swan has helped another club in country footy, this time coming to the aid of the Ararat Eagles as it defeated Great Western by 63 points, 22.17.(149) to 12.14.(86). The Mininera league contest was over at half-time with the Eagles kicking 12 goals to four to lead by 53 points. Swan kicked a goal in the win with Mason Kelly kicking six for the Eagles.
LIONS RESPOND
Doncaster East rebounded from its shocking 130-point loss to East Ringwood last week, earning its first win of the EFNL Premier Division season with a 17-point victory over Norwood. Ex-AFL stars Joshua Deluca and Taylin Duman, as well as Michael Wenn, impressed in the 8.10 (58) to 5.11 (41) win at Mullum Mullum Reserve. Josh Wall was Norwood’s best, which is still hunting its first win. Meanwhile, Balwyn remains unbeaten, handing East Ringwood its first loss of the season with a 21-point win.
PIES’ RELIEF
Wangaratta is finally on the board in the Ovens and Murray after a 46-point win over Myrtleford. Last season’s preliminary finalist lost the first four games of the season but have responded with a much needed win on Saturday. Former West Preston-Lakeside player Alex Federico, Nick Richards and Fraser and Charley Holland-Dean were the Magpies’ best in the 16.14 (110) to 9.10 (64) win at Wangaratta Showgrounds, while Brody Ricardi was a standout for the Saints.
WONTHAGGI OFF THE MARK
Wonthaggi has also won its first game of the season, beating Sale by seven points in the Gippsland league. The grand finalist started the season with three straight losses but responded with a gutsy win, overcoming a dogged Sale outfit in the final term, 9.12 (66) to 9.5 (59). Noah Anderson kicked three goals with former Collingwood player Jarryd Blair booted two.
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