Key talking points ahead of weekend local footy
Interleague is back, while milestone matches and top-of-the-table clashes also headline a dazzling day of local footy. Here’s what you can’t miss this Saturday.
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INTERLEAGUE IS BACK
Ballarat will take on Hampden on Saturday in the first interleague match between the two teams since 2019.
This time the concept has changed with under-23 players to play for each league.
Hampden will be looking to continue their dominance over Ballarat after winning their last clash in 2019 by 74 points.
Both teams will be coached by AFL legends with Hampden coached by Jonathan Brown and Ballarat to be coached by Anthony Koutoufides.
TOP-SEEDED EASTERN SHOWDOWNS
Eastern league Division 2 ladder-leader Boronia meets the second-placed Waverley Blues on Saturday in a mouth-watering contest and a possible finals preview.
The Hawks recorded a statement win last round over top-four rival Heathmont, while the Blues will be itching to get back on the winners’ list after a loss to East Burwood.
Meanwhile, Division 4 pacesetter Kilsyth is away to Scoresby (second) following a comfortable win on the road over finals-fancy Surrey Park last round, while the Magpies had the bye.
And it’s a spoil of 2 v. 3 clashes elsewhere, with Doncaster East meeting Noble Park in Premier Division, Mitcham away to Montrose in Division 1 and Ferntree Gully hosting Oakleigh District in Division 3.
RACE FOR THE WRFL MINOR PREMIERSHIP
Albanvale will travel to take on the Suns in Division 3 of the Western Region league, in a game which will shape the minor premiership race.
Both sides sit at 7-1 after nine rounds and will be looking to move a step closer to finishing the home-and-away season at the top of the ladder.
The Suns won the previous meeting.
EDFL FINALS LIKE BATTLES
The Essendon District league has some mouth-watering clashes across all three divisions this weekend.
East Keilor travels to take on Greenvale in Premier Division with the former currently occupying a place in the top-four.
A win for the Darren Bewick coached Greenvale would do their finals chances a huge favour.
Meanwhile, last year’s grand finalists Aberfeldie will look to keep in touch with the top-four when it takes on Pascoe Vale.
In Division 1, Roxburgh Park hosts St Albans while Hillside welcomes West Coburg.
All sides are currently in the top six.
ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR SOUTH CROYDON’S GREATEST
South Croydon’s Dan King will play his 300th club game on Saturday when the Bulldogs clash with Eastern league Premier Division ladder-leader East Ringwood.
Widely considered South’s greatest-ever player, King becomes the first in the club’s history to chalk up the milestone.
The honour adds to a glistening football CV which has taken in the highs of several best and fairests including the league’s Chandler Medal in 2013, and multiple premierships – including captaining the Bulldogs to the 2017 top division flag win over Vermont.
South Croydon sits ninth with a 3-7 record – and is one of only two teams to have knocked over East Ringwood this season.
CONTENDERS DISPERSE
After going down to Cheltenham in the top-of-the-table clash with Cheltenham last weekend, Dingley again faces an audit.
The Dingoes will welcome reigning premier Cranbourne for the clear spot in second on the ladder.
Dingley had won eight in a row before going down to the Rosellas and have been met with some selection trouble this week with a number of players going away.
Cranbourne, meanwhile, is building delightfully. While there has been some hiccups, the Eagles are right where they want to be.
WOODEN SPOON BATTLE IS ON
While the Crows take on the Kangaroos in the AFL on Saturday, another battle between the animals will take place in the Central Highlands on the same day, with major implications.
Waubra faces Beaufort with both teams looking for their first win this season.
Beaufort is higher on the ladder after drawing with Daylesford in round seven but has not won in the competition for 19 matches.
Waubra‘s has lost its past nine matches, including eight this season, after making the finals in 2022 and winning the premiership in 2019.
WIN AND STAY IN
If a week is a long time in football, half a season is an eternity.
It’s proven to be the case for Bonbeach and Langwarrin, success stories of 2022 who have found the going tough in 2023.
On Saturday, the Sharks and Kangaroos will play each other in what many are calling a “relegation game” in MPFNL Division 1.
Last September, Bonbeach played off in the Division 1 grand final against Frankston YCW.
Around the same time, Langwarrin was putting the finishing touches on a brilliant, undefeated season in Division 2, hoisting the premiership flag.
Nine months on, they occupy the bottom two spots on the Division 1 ladder.
TIGERS FACE STERNEST TEST
Sea Lake Nandaly‘s unbeaten run in the North Central league could come to an end as the team faces last year’s premiers Birchip-Watchem away from home on Saturday.
The Tigers, with the odd appearance of former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins, have won all nine games this season to be the best team in the competition.
But the Bulls, in second, will be looking to end the run and assert themselves as the team to beat. Sea Lake Nandaly will stay top regardless of the result but the Bulls could fall to fourth with a loss.
BATTLE OF THE BIRDS IN ELLINBANK
The top two teams in the Ellinbank league will face each other with Ellinbank taking on Buln Buln.
The Lyrebirds have been the team to beat, winning all 11 matches so far, including a 54-point win between these two teams in round two.
Ellinbank has won eight of their past nine matches, led by club stalwart Shaun Phelan who leads the goal kicking in the competition with 37 goals in 11 matches.
WANGARATTA LOOK TO OPEN UP GAP
The Wangaratta Magpies could go one step closer to securing a finals spot and keeping themselves in the top three when the side takes on Wodonga in the Ovens and Murray league.
Wodonga were the surprise packets early, winning their first five matches, before losing the last four to sit fourth on 20 points.
The Pies have done the opposite, winning their past six after losing their first three matches, to sit third, one game from the top.
If Wangaratta win it could open up a two-game gap between them and fourth and keep them in contention for the top spot.
A loss would put Wodonga, on percentage, behind Wangaratta and end their losing streak. A game with massive implications for the season.
TOWN BRAGGING RIGHTS ON THE LINE
In the past 11 seasons, the Horsham Saints have only twice been able to win both matches in the season against the Horsham Demons.
This weekend the team has the chance to make it three when the two rivals battle.
The Saints have been the best Horsham team this season, sitting third in the Wimmera league and winning the first battle by 31 points in round two.
The Demons, meanwhile, have struggled winning one game this season and sitting seventh in the competition. The Saints will start favourites but anything can happen in a derby.
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