Local footy weekend wrap: check out all the highlights from around Victoria
WEEKEND WRAP: Isaac Smith and Shane Mumford couldn’t end a club’s losing streak, a country star brings up triple figures and a local legend fuels a stunning upset.
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Local footy never fails to disappoint.
Saturday produced some stunning results across Melbourne and around Victoria’s country leagues.
A country star brought up triple figures, ex-AFL star Isaac Smith pulled the boots back on and a local legend fuelled a stunning upset.
Check out all the highlights here.
COUNTRY STAR TONS UP
Strathmerton’s Tim Looby is the latest country footy star to bring up triple figures. The Bulldogs spearhead booted nine goals against Mathoura at Strathmerton Reserve to reach 100 for the season, 106 to be exact. The bag is a bit of a comedown after 20 majors the previous week against Yarroweyah but still more than enough to guide his team to a mammoth 28.8 (176) to 3.3 (21) win to cement second place on the Picola league ladder. Fellow country goalmachine, Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd is only three goals shy after six majors in the Hoppers’ 17.16 (118) to 6.2 (38) win over Stanhope in the Kyabram District league.
HARVEY DELIVERS AGAIN
Last week Brent Harvey booted seven goals in his local footy return to inspire North Heidelberg to victory. On Saturday, his brother Shane reclaimed the headlines with a last-gasp match-winning burst to secure a stunning upset win for Kinglake. Harvey booted two goals in the final two minutes of the game as the Lakers shocked Northern Division 3 premiership contender Mernda by four points at Kinglake Reserve. Harvey finished with three majors, while captain Bailey Robinson was a standout best-on-ground.
ISSY, MUMMY CAN’T HELP DOGS
Isaac Smith made a guest appearance for West Gippsland club Bunyip but couldn’t help the club secure a much-needed win. Instead it was Garfield that claimed a 19-point victory at Bunyip Reserve, 6.8 (44) to 3.7 (25), condemning the Bulldogs to a 31st straight defeat. Smith, secured by Bunyip in the Carlton Draft after retiring from the AFL last season, teamed up with fellow ex-AFL stars Shane Mumford and Michael Ross for the match.
LIONS ROAR HOME
A jaw-dropping comeback has kept Murrumbeena in pole position on the Southern Division 2 ladder. The Lions trailed Caulfield Bears by as many much as 47 points in the second term but clawed their way back to pinch a 13.11 (89) to 13.9 (87) triumph at Murrumbeena Park. The Bears kicked the first six goals of the game, all in a devastating first-quarter burst, but managed just six more for the rest of the day. Murrumbeena edged ahead late in the final term and held the Bears off during the tense final minutes. A loss would’ve resulted in the Lions falling to second after it lost to Doveton last weekend but it they instead retain a one-game lead at the top.
EAGLES … JUST
Edithvale-Aspendale won its 13th game in a row in Mornington Peninsula Division 2 after Mick Meehan kicked a late goal to edge Pearcedale by a point. Meehan’s seventh goal sealed the 18.10 (118) to 18.9 (117) victory at Regents Park but the haul wasn’t the biggest in the match. Pearcedale spearhead Brett Eddy slotted 10 goals as the Dales went tantalisingly close to beating the flag favourites. The shootout was labelled the match of the season, featuring regular lead changes and high standard footy.
THESE EAGLES TOO … JUST
Yarraville Seddon remains on track for WFNL Division 1 finals after surviving a massive scare from last-placed Point Cook Centrals on Saturday. The Eagles were their own worst enemy at Windorah Way Reserve, having six more scoring shots, but winning by a single point. The visitors breathing a sigh of relief with a 9.14 (68) to 10.7 (67) win.
COUGARS MISS CHANCE
Avondale Heights and East Keilor played out a heart-stopping draw at Hansen Reserve, both finishing 12.13 (85). However, it will be the Cougars who will perhaps rue a missed opportunity, booting 1.5 in the final quarter, including three consecutive behinds to finish the match. Scores were level in the 22nd minute before a Tyson Young behind gave Airport West the advantage but East Keilor charged down the other end and had the chance to win it with the final shot of the game but both teams walk away with two points.
PRAHRAN REIGNS SUPREME
Prahran cemented itself at the top of the VAFA Division 1 ladder with a 19-point victory over Ormond in a top-of-the-table showdown. After a slow start, the Two Blues controlled the middle stages of the match to take a 46-point lead at three-quarter-time. Ormond roared home with a five-goal-to-nil fourth term but it was too late as the home team claimed a 12.9 (81) to 9.8 (62). Taylor Bamford booted a match-high four goals to be named best-on-ground. Prahran moves a game clear on top after UHS-VU’s shock four-point loss to Preston Bullants.
TIGER ROAR
Corbin Sutherland fired off seven goals as Yea thrashed Yarra Glen to climb into the top-five in Outer East Division 1. Sutherland, who reached 1000 career goals earlier in the season, combined with Aidan McSpeerin (four goals) and Ben Sandells (three) as the Tigers outscored Yarra Glen 22 goals to two after quarter-time to win 26.8 (164) to 4.11 (35). Yea is 6-5 and on track for finals having returned to the field this season after spending 2023 in recess.
BLOODS DOMINANT
Melton has sent a Ballarat league premiership warning with a 77-point demolition of likely finals rival Sunbury at Macpherson Oval. Bloods captain Braedan Kight booted a game-high five goals to lead the 17.14 (116) to 5.9 (39) smashing. Jack Walker and Jaycob Hickey were best afield. The win see Melton remain in top spot on percentage, level on points with East Point, while Darley – after defeating North Ballarat in the grand final rematch is third.
BOMBERS FLY ON
Riddell District leaders Riddell remain on course for the minor premiership but not before being pushed to the limit by Macedon. The Cats held a one-point lead at three-quarter-time at Riddell’s Creek Reserve but couldn’t stop the Bombers charging home to claim a nail-biting five-point win, 11.6 (72) to 10.7 (67). Goalkicking legend Dean Galea booted eight goals to inspire the win, while Cal Williamson, Josh Grabham and Matt Panuccio also impressed.
YC TOO GOOD
Frankston YCW full forward Riley D’Arcy booted seven goals to fire the Stonecats to a thumping win over Frankston Bombers, 19.16 (130) to 7.11 (53), in Mornington Peninsula Division 1. D’Arcy, up to 49 goals, has extended his lead at the top of the goal kicking chart. The win improved YCW’s record to is 8-5 and third place, while the Bombers teeter dangerously close to relegation.
VAMPIRES STEAL HOME
East Brighton stole a last-gasp victory to surge into the Southern Division 1 top five. The Vampires trailed the Dane Swan-led Port Melbourne Colts by 16 points 15 minutes into the fourth at Murphy Reserve. However, the visitors proceeded to kick three goals in the final two minutes to secure a famous three-point win, 12.13 (85) to 12.10 (82). Rob Forrest was best afield for the victors, together with Ryan Semmel and Dan Campisano. Luke McComb and Swan both finished with three goals for the Colts.
POWER REIGNITE SEASON
Laurimar has revived its Northern Division 2 survival hopes with a gutsy 17-point win over Thomastown at Main Street Reserve. The 12.9 (81) to 9.10 (64) victory is just the Power’s second of the season but rekindles the relegation battle. Laurimar is six points behind Watsonia with four games remaining. In his third senior game, Northern Knights talent Cooper Herbert produced a dominant best-on-ground performance, booting four goals, while Rylan Herrick, Harley Marsh and Ethan Bateman also impressed.
‘What we play for’: Wallan ready for grand final challenge
Wallan returns to the RDFNL grand final stage, defeating Macedon in the preliminary final, and is looking to cause a boilover on the big stage.
REPLAY: St Kevin’s storm home in VAFA Premier Women’s semi-final
They refer to the third term as the premiership quarter and St Kevin’s have answered the call by cutting down Old Scotch to storm into the VAFA Premier women’s grand final. Full REPLAY.