Local footy wrap: 18 wins on the bounce for Edi-Asp, South Morang’s sensational win and Bullioh brilliant
Big game players sparkled, a powerhouse club on an 18-game streak surged into a flag decider and the first country grand final was decided. Here’s your complete local footy wrap from a huge Saturday.
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The sun shone — and so did local footballers as the season roared towards the business end on Saturday.
Here’s your complete local footy wrap from a HUGE day of action:
EAGLES INTO BIG DANCE
Edithvale-Aspendale’s re-emergence as a football powerhouse is just one good day away from being complete after its seniors, reserves and under-19s booked grand final berths in the Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 2.
The Eagles’ seniors made it 18 wins on the bounce when they led throughout to beat Chelsea in the second semi-final, 14.9 (93) to 10.10 (70).
Edi-Asp raced to a five-goal lead by quarter time, proving their status as flag favourites.
Ishak Bashir, Michael Meehan (four goals) and Kurt Lopo (three) ran hot for Edi-Asp, while ex-AFL man Ty Vickery looked dangerous up forward.
Chelsea will look to bounce back from the defeat in next weekend’s preliminary final.
LIONS HOLD ON
South Morang has held its nerve to beat Diamond Creek by a kick in a gripping Northern league Division 2 qualifying final, 10.13 (73) to 10.7 (67), with Joshua D’Intinosante slotting five goals. The sides went goal for goal in an absorbing second half, with Koby Davies and Joshua Lansfield kicking two goals apiece for the Lions.
HAWKS MAKE IT
Rowville has held on to win its way into the Eastern league Premier Division finals as one of local football’s greatest-ever players bowed out.
The Hawks edged Noble Park 11.10 (76) to 11.7 (73) in nine-time club champion Kyle Martin’s last game for the Bulls, shooting into third spot on the ladder.
The retiring Martin was farewelled alongside teammates Luke Bull (also retiring), and Chris Horton-Milne and Jackson Sketcher who are set to depart the club.
South Croydon came from behind to defeat Doncaster East by 12 points to lock in the fifth and final spot in September, denying Blackburn (sixth), which knocked over second-placed Balwyn by 19 points.
Minor premier East Ringwood defeated Vermont by 36 points, with the Eagles finishing fourth.
Meanwhile, Berwick will remain in Eastern’s Premier Division next season after a 12.16 (88) to 10.4 (64) relegation battle victory over Norwood. The result brings an end to the Norsemen’s 17-year stay in the top-flight.
DOGS BARKING
Bullioh has won the first country footy grand final of 2024, beating Cudgewa in the Upper Murray league flag decider, 13.13 (91) to 7.14 (56). Bullioh’s Ash Murray won the best-on-ground medal after slotting six goals, while Clint Brunnenmeyer kicked three and Kelvin Wallace, Jacob Curran and Clayton Bosman were also among the best players.
SHOWDOWN ALL SET
Mitcham has set up an Eastern league Division 1 semi-final showdown with minor premier Park Orchards following a 12.3 (75) to 5.19 (49) win over powerhouse South Belgrave.
In Division 2, Mulgrave will play minor premier Boronia next week for a spot in the grand final after defeating the Waverley Blues by 18 points.
Reigning premier Donvale has booked its ticket to a third consecutive grand final in Division 3, nosing out Surrey Park by four points, and in Division 4, Scoresby won its way through to the decider with a 52-point win over Chirnside Park.
FALCONS EASILY IN FIRST FINAL
The gap between third and sixth was well on show in the first Western league Division 2 final as Wyndhamvale smacked Albanvale by 135 points, 20.24 (144) to 1.3 (9). Daniel Burns kicked four goals to continue his impressive form since returning to the senior side, while Kyle Bistisi, Tyler Tessari and Max Logan were in everything.
TAYLORS LAKES INTO GF
In Division 2 of the Essendon District league, minor premier Taylors Lakes is the first team into the grand final after a thrilling 11-point win over Burnside Heights, 18.6 (114) to 16.7 (103). The Lions managed to come from behind after conceding five goals to zero in the first quarter. Luke Nappi finished with four goals for the Lions, who also found inspiration from Lachlan Rayner, Rhys Bradley and Darby Lalor.
WEST COBURG TOO GOOD
West Coburg has a third grand final in as many years in its sights after a 20-point win over Hillside in the qualifying final in the Essendon District league’s Division One. Ibrahim Taha slotted four goals and Patrick McCallum and Dane Lucas were superb for the Burgers who will now face Maribyrnong Park in the second semi-final.
THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR DOLPHINS?
Frankston Dolphins are through to their third straight Southern league grand final after edging out a plucky South Mornington.
The Tigers conceded the first two goals of the game but quickly piled on five unanswered goals to lead at the first change.
The Dolphins’ host of stars turned the tide in the second term and maintained their steady lead until the final siren to win 8.19 (67) to 8.5 (53).
Positively for the winners, they were wasteful with their use, particularly in front of goal.
South Mornington will play the winner of Heatherton and Carrum Patterson Lakes.
EAGLES SOAR
It’s heaven for Cranbourne and heartbreak for East Brighton.
The Eagles have stormed into the Division 1 finals with a stunning 76-point win over Springvale Districts in the last round, 15.12 (102) to 3.8 (26).
Cranbourne launched out of the blocks with eight goals to one in the first quarter.
The win maintained the Eagles’ percentage lead over East Brighton, which also won heavily over Chelsea Heights, 17.19 (121) to 7.7 (49), but ended up missing finals.
The Eagles, who will face Springvale Districts again in next week’s elimination final, spent just three home and away rounds inside the top five.
STONECATS STUN IN THE SUN
Finals specialists Frankston YCW is a win away from a grand final berth in Mornington Peninsula league Division 1 after toppling second-placed Mt Eliza in the qualifying final, 8.13 (60) to 6.10 (46).
The Stonecats kicked the first two goals of the match and refused to yield despite a Mt Eliza surge in the third quarter.
Riley D’Arcy and Christian Tsiampis combined in the last term to find young Jackson Muscillo, who kicked the sealer.
Frankston YCW will meet minor premiers Dromana in the second semi-final next weekend.
“JUICE” KICKS NINE
Albury has missed the Ovens and Murray league finals for the first time since 2008 after losing to Myrtleford in the last round, 18.8 (116) to 16.6 (102).
Wangaratta tuned up for finals with a thumping 148-point win over Wodonga Raiders, with ex-AFL Demon Michael “Juice” Newton firing off nine goals.
DOGS SAVAGE KANGAS
Gisborne unleashed a goal frenzy to thrash Kangaroo Flat in the last round of the Bendigo league season, 37.14 (236) to 6.3 (39).
Pat McKenna slotted eight goals, and Harry Luxmoore and Matthew Merrett six apiece, as 13 Gisborne players kicked goals.
The Bulldogs finished in second spot and will now set their sights on finals success.
HOT SNOWDOGS
Darren Colaco ran-hot with six goals as St Bernards upset Old Xaverians, 18.12 (120) to 10.17 (77), in VAFA Premier Men’s. Jackson Hately, Harrison Schumann, Ben Overman, Michael Caven and Mitchell Hughes were also in everything for the Snowdogs. Meanwhile, Fitzroy climbed off the bottom of the ladder with a rousing win over University Blues, 13.12 (90) to 11.9 (75). Charlie Faubel kicked four goals for the Lions and Anthony Johnson was best afield.
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