Local footy wrap: Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp kicks 100th goal
A goal guru has blasted the first century of the season, while the longest winning streak in local footy came to a dramatic end. There were also season-first wins and a sweet victory for the Big V.
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A Saturday stunner...
There was drama, high emotion and milestones in local and country footy on the first game day in July.
All the major talking points from a bumper Saturday of action ...
FIRST TON OF THE YEAR
Local footy has its first 100-goal kicker of 2024.
Bridgewater coach and star Lachlan Sharp became the first man to reach triple figures after firing off nine goals in his side’s win over Inglewood in the Loddon Valley league on Saturday.
He had entered the weekend on 91 goals and in fourth on the charts across the state. But with the three players above him not in action, Sharp seized his chance. This is his first season at the club after leaving the Bendigo league.
Bridgewater won 24.11 (155) to 8.5 (53) to consolidate second spot.
STREAK OVER
Crash! The longest winning streak in country footy ended on Saturday when Marong lost to Pyramid Hill by five points, 11.5 (71) to 9.12 (66), in the Loddon Valley league.
Marong had won 42 games in a row before a Tom Mcgregor-inspired Pyramid Hill turned into giant killers. Marong was gallant in defeat, kicking the only three goals in the last quarter to make things interesting.
VICTORY FOR VAFA
The Big V has savoured a sweet victory after the VAFA overcame Bendigo in an interleague thriller at Elsternwick Park.
The VAFA looked comfortable at halftime, before the country footy powerhouse sparked a challenge in the third.
The VAFA eventually steadied to run out 12.13 (85) to 10.12 (72) winners. Archie Loughnan and Oskar Manton kicked two goals each for the home side. Alex Emery was awarded the medal for best afield after a strong display for the VAFA. Lachlan Gill was one of the impressive performers for Bendigo.
In the under-19 showcase, it was Team South who prevailed in a high quality clash showing the competition’s best young players. South won 15.8 (98) to 7.7 (49) under coach Paul Carrigan. Old Haileybury young gun Andreas Stefanakis was named best afield. Stefanakis was a late in after other players pulled out due to VFL selection.
EAGLES SPOIL SWANNY DEBUT
Cranbourne has catapulted back into Southern league finals contention with a commanding win over Dane Swan’s Port Melbourne Colts.
Swan signed at the Colts last Sunday ahead of the clearance deadline but his debut appearance wasn’t enough to lift the Colts.
Cranbourne entered the round six points behind the fifth-placed Colts on the ladder but is now looming large after the emphatic 15.12 (102) to 3.3 (21) victory.
The Eagles blew the game open with a 7.1 to 1.0 second quarter.
Port Melbourne Colts could be the most AFL experienced side in local footy, with Josh Caddy, Michael Hibberd, Tom Bellchambers and now Swan on its books.
MIGHTY MUSTANGS
Reservoir sung their song proudly after scoring their first win of the season in Northern league’s Division 3. The Mustangs kicked 11 goals in the first half against Lalor and held firm to win by 31 points, 18.9 (117) to 13.8 (86), at Crispe Park.
ROOS WIN UGLY
An inaccurate East Ringwood has come from behind to deal Eastern Premier Division ladder-leader Balwyn a second consecutive loss.
The Roos — who had kicked 3.14 to three-quarter time — dominated the clearances in the last quarter to rally from 12 points down at the final change in the 7.20 (62) to 7.3 (45) victory.
North Melbourne VFL star Sam Lowson finished with three goals for East Ringwood, including two in the fourth term to spearhead the Roos’ revival.
The Roos’ win also honoured favourite son Chris Cerni in his 250th senior match.
Balwyn won its first 10 matches this season and remains first on percentage, ahead of East Ringwood in second — with the pair sharing a 10-2 record.
BULLS BREAK THROUGH
Noble Park has snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 61-point victory over Berwick in Eastern’s Premier Division.
The Bulls kept the Wickers goalless to three-quarter time in the 13.14 (92) to 4.7 (31) win — and were propelled by nine-time best and fairest Kyle Martin with four goals. Liam Scott was best-afield and Jordan Marson (two goals) and Jacob Noble were in everything.
The result lifts Noble Park to a 4-8 record and lifts it to seventh spot after starting the season 3-0, while Berwick sits ninth with just one win from 12 starts.
DEVILS ON THE BOARD
Keilor Park has broken through for its first win of the 2024 season with a 21-point victory over Roxburgh Park in Division One of the Essendon District league. It had started as a difficult weekend for the Devils after they were forced to forfeit the reserves. Nicholas Spano enjoyed his opportunities up forward with four goals while 2022 premiership hero Daylan Kempster was best afield with three goals. Sam Pontin, Kris Thomas, Cooper Bryant and Josh Bawden were also impressive.
SHARKS BITE
Point Cook Centrals has its first win since round 4 after overcoming Spotswood by 17 points in Division 1 of the Western league. Daniel Strnak led the way for the Sharks with three goals. It has been a difficult several weeks for the Sharks who had faced injuries to some of their most important players.
RUTHLESS TIGERS
A red-hot Heidelberg thrashed Banyule by 95 points in the top-of-the-ladder Northern league Division 1 clash. The undefeated Tigers powered to a 52-point lead at three-quarter time and then completed the demolition job with nine goals in the last term, walking off 20.7 (127) to 4.9 (33) victors.
KANGAS IN A THRILLER
Macleod edged West Preston-Lakeside by a point to celebrate its second win of the season in Northern league Division 1.
Kurt Manuel kicked a vital late goal as the Kangaroos clinched a gritty 10.17 (77) to 11.10 (76) win. Darcy Barden slotted four goals and Mackenzie Hogg, Jordan Corelli and Justin White were also among the best for the winners.
EAGLES FLYING
Mason de Wit slotted the opening three goals of the game to set up Somerville’s rousing 61-point win over Devon Meadows in Division 2 of the Mornington Peninsula league. Oliver Heavey and young gun Miller Stewart ran rampant for the 7-6 Eagles, who have climbed to sixth spot.
SIZZLING SNAG INSPIRES EDI-ASP
Lewis Diggins kicked a goal of the year contender as Edithvale-Aspendale made it 12 wins on the bounce with a decisive 15.10 (100) to 9.12 (66) victory over local rivals Chelsea in Mornington Peninsula league Division 2.
Diggins’ snag at the start of the third quarter followed his dominant second term as the Eagles rushed to a 24-point lead at halftime. He finished with six goals for the afternoon. Kris Pendlebury’s Edi-Asp has opened up a two-game buffer on top of the ladder.
DEAKYN INSPIRES DOVES
Doveton handed Murrumbeena its first loss of the Southern league Division 2 season, downing the Lions by 39 points.
The Doves led by eight points at the final change but kicked away in the last term in front of a vocal home crowd.
Off-season recruit Matt Clarke was tremendous for the Doves, kicking four goals.
But Deakyn Smith, who was on Melbourne’s list last year, was best afield for Doveton in a momentous victory.
Smith, who won Casey’s best and fairest last year and is listed at North Melbourne VFL this year, played for the Doves while the Roos had a bye.
The win all but locks in a finals double chance for Doveton after Endeavour Hills and Highett respectively upset East Malvern and Caulfield Bears.
It’s Murrumbeena’s first loss since last year’s grand final defeat to East Brighton.
HAWKS BLITZ
Ali Elmaaraoui and Josh Trembearth kicked 11 goals between them to fire Hadfield to a 10-point win over Glenroy in Essendon District league’s Division Two. Elmaaraoui slotted six and Trembearth five, while Bilal Moustafa, Will Graf, Kyle Desira and Donovan Pell ran rampant in the 14.8 (92) to 12.10 (82) victory, the Hawks’ fourth of the season.
TIGERS EDGE KANGAS
Harvey Smith and Taylor Gibson kicked late goals as Woori Yallock climbed off the canvas to edge a gallant Officer 8.12 (60) to 8.9 (57) in Outer East league’s Premier division.
Officer appeared on track for an upset win when it rushed to a 22-point lead in the opening quarter but the second-placed Tigers clawed their way back, kicking six goals to three after halftime.
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