Key talking points ahead of weekend local footy
Saturday is shaping as one of the most thrilling of the local footy season so far. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the weekend.
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A huge weekend of local footy awaits.
Here’s a look at the things you can’t afford to miss.
HUGE SOUTHERN CLASHES
Just one top-five shaping clash awaits Division 1 of the Southern league this weekend with St Paul’s McKinnon (fifth) hosting Port Melbourne Colts (fourth).
Cranbourne (third) welcomes Springvale Districts (sixth) while the rest of the contenders meet the lower ranked sides.
In Division 2, Murrumbeena (second) welcomes Highett (fifth) while the top three sides play bottom four teams.
Former West Coast Eagle Tom Lamb will be looking to fill his boots when his team, first-placed East Brighton, takes on a Keysborough side which has just one win.
Lamb has 29 goals in just six matches – 28 in his last five after firing truly just once in Round 1.
CAN THE RATS BE STOPPED?
Ararat will take on last year’s premier, Minyip Murtoa, looking to remain undefeated in the Wimmera league.
The team has won its first six games, including an impressive 31-point win over Southern Mallee Giants last week who have been near the top themselves.
Led by former Carlton player Tom Williamson, who is averaging two goals per game, the Rats have been the team to beat.
NOBLE PARK LOOK TO CELEBRATE
Reigning premier Noble Park will not only be looking to separate from the cluster of teams with a 4-2 record when it hosts Vermont but will also be hoping to put on a show for its 2003 premiership side.
The decorated Bulls will celebrate their 20-year reunion since the club’s first EFNL premiership while the current crop search for their fifth win.
In addition to the reunion and bumper on field match-up, club stalwart Brian Duggan will also sound the siren on his 500th game as Bulls timekeeper.
SUNRAYSIA TEST
The impressive start by the Mildura Demons under former Carlton and Adelaide player Sam Kerridge will be put to the test this weekend against Robinvale Euston in the Sunraysia league.
The Seagulls have been the best team this season, winning all five matches so far including wins over last year’s grand finalists by an average margin of more than 50 points.
Kerridge has been important in the last couple of weeks for the Demons with the coach kicking seven goals in his past two games.
MT ELIZA TO TEST PREMIERSHIP CREDENTIALS
Second-placed Mt Eliza will be put to the test when it travels to John Coburn Oval to take on reigning premier Frankston YCW.
The Redlegs, who were aided by the addition of favourite son Nathan Jones last week, have shown signs this season with five wins and the highest percentage of any side in Division 1.
The young group fell to first-placed Dromana earlier this month and will be intent on not losing to another fellow contender come Saturday.
In Division 2, Karingal will look to continue its winning streak when it takes on Pearcedale, which currently has former Brisbane and Collingwood player Dayne Beams.
The Bulls have won six on the spin.
CAN FOOTY’S LONGEST RUN BE ENDED?
Can Moe end Leongatha’s unbeaten run in the Gippsland league?
The Lions will face the Parrots in a top of the table clash with Leongatha currently on an unbeaten 34-game run.
Moe has won all but one of its games this season and will provide a stern test to the Parrots in their quest to remain unbeaten.
EX-AFL SAINT RUNS HOT
Seaford will be hoping Jack Lonie’s sizzling form continues when it hosts Mornington in MPFNL Division 2.
The former St Kilda speedster racked up 47 possessions and kicked two goals for the Tigers last Saturday.
Seaford, though, has lost three games in a row to drop to second bottom on the ladder.
Mornington, coached by former Frankston VFL captain Josh Newman, is in second spot.
A FIRST IN THE HAMPDEN LEAGUE
It will be a big weekend for the North Warrnambool Football Club with Matthew Wines to play game number 300.
The midfielder becomes the first player from the club to achieve the feat.
It’s also an important match for the club with the Eagles taking on their rivals South Warrnambool at home.
OLD RIVALS RENEW HOSTILITIES
It’s shaping as a big day between East Sunbury and the Sunbury Kangaroos as the do battle for the first time since 2019.
The Roos had been in Division 1 of the Essendon District league since the end of 2019 while the Thunder sat out last season.
Both sides are winless to start this season, adding extra importance to this one.
MOUTHWATERING VAFA FOOTY
It’s a finals taste-tester in the VAFA with the top four all set to meet in the Premier competition.
Old Brighton will roll out the welcome mat for Old Scotch, while St Kevins travels to Collegians.
Old Scotch, Old Brighton and St Kevins all sit with a 5-1 record but Old Scotch holds pole position due to its percentage.
Collegians is in fourth with a 4-2 record and only sits percentage ahead of University Blues, which has last-placed Caulfield Grammarians this weekend.
A similar script follows in Premier B, with ladder-leaders Fitzroy hosting third-placed Beaumaris and St Bernards (second) travelling to Old Geelong (fourth).
In another match in Premier B, Luke Lloyd – the player who kicked 19 majors in school footy on Wednesday – will line up alongside his brother Joe for De La Salle.
It will be the first time the brothers will stand alongside each other this year.
MURRAY LEAGUE STRUGGLERS DO BATTLE
Saturday will be historic for either Tocumwal or Rumbalara when the two teams face each other in the Murray league.
For Tocumwal, it could be their first win in the MFL since moving back to the competition this season from the Picola District league.
For Rumbalara the team is looking for their first win since 2021 and is currently on a 26-game losing streak.
Both teams have plenty to play for in their clash, which starts at 2pm in Tocumwal.
NEW FORWARD MIX FOR DOGS
Wandin will be forced to rejig its forward line against Pakenham on Saturday as it looks to maintain its unbeaten record in Outer East’s Premier division.
Bulldogs spearhead and league leading goal kicker Aaron Mullett tore his hamstring last week, leaving a void in attack.
With Mullett sidelined, Wandin will look to Clinton Johnson, who sits second on the goal kicking table with 15, Jordan Jaworski, Tom Merlino and Patrick Hodgett to hit the scoreboard.
NORTHERN LEAGUE FUN
North Heidelberg travels to Greensborough with the desire to propel into the top-five.
The Borough sit in third with a 4-2 record while the Bulldogs are sixth with a 3-3 record.
After a 0-3 start, the Bulldogs have won three on the spin by an average margin of 67 points.
Former AFL player Majak Daw has played a crucial role in the Dogs’ run, kicking 15 majors in his past three outings.
In Division 3, Kinglake and Laurimar will battle in a top-of-the-table clash at Kinglake Memorial Oval.
After rejoining Northern after a stint in the Outer East, the Lakers have been one of the stories of the season.
A LONG TIME BETWEEN DRINKS
For the first time since 1951, rivals Nullawil and Wycheproof will face each other in the North Central league.
Since the two teams last faced in the Tyrrell Football League in 1951, before Wycheproof left the two teams have competed in different competitions despite being just 26km apart.
Now the two teams will renew hostilities after Nullawil joined the competition from the Golden Rivers league.
It’s set to be a good battle between two teams currently in the top three in the competition.
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