Local footy wrap: Champions bow out, finals heroes emerge and two forwards crack the ton
As we etch closer to the pointy end of the season, champions call time, finals heroes emerge and two sharpshooters reach almighty milestones. See the highlights from Saturday's local footy action.
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A local footy great bowed out, finals heroes emerged, a reigning premier won’t defend its crown and two country forwards reached triple figures.
It’s all here in this weekend’s local footy wrap ...
SOMERVILLE SURGE ON
Somerville’s quest to snap a 37-year premiership drought is gathering momentum.
The Eagles dispatched Karingal in Saturday’s MPFNL Division 2 qualifying final by 44 points, 11.20 (86) to 5.12 (42), with Jaxsen Shinners, Lachlan Sharp, Kane McKenzie, Nick Mason and former AFL-Kangaroo Tom Murphy in the best.
Somerville’s last senior flag was in 1986, coached by former St Kilda champion Gary Colling.
Frankston Bombers grabbed a finals berth in MPFNL Division 1 with a rousing 11-point win over Mt Eliza in the last round on Saturday.
Connor Does and Lachlan Robinson slotted two goals apiece for the Bombers, who have overcome setbacks this season, including the loss of points due to a player points breach.
Frankston Bombers will again face Mt Eliza in an elimination final next Sunday.
Jake Aarts ran rampant and Ethan Johnstone kicked five goals as Dromana trounced Sorrento by 66 points to bolt off with the minor premiership in MPFNL Division 1.
The Tigers will go into the finals a warm flag favourite after a dominant 17-1 home-and-away campaign.
BULLS BOW OUT, BURNERS BOOK SPOT
Reigning premier Noble Park has missed the finals in the Eastern league’s Premier Division, following a 20-point loss to Balwyn in the final round.
The Bulls entered the weekend clinging to sixth spot with a 9-8 record – on equal points with Blackburn, seventh – which sensationally upset top-four outfit East Ringwood by 26 points to book its spot in the finals.
GRAND FINAL TICKETS PUNCHED
Donvale has annihilated Ferntree Gully to the tune of 80 points in a 1 v. 2 semi-final in the Eastern league’s Division 3 to book its spot in the decider.
The Eagles will face the winner of Sunday’s Silvan-Oakleigh District clash for a grand final berth.
Meanwhile, minor premier Kilsyth is through to the Eastern league Division 4 decider following an 8.12 (60) to 7.6 (48) win over second-placed Surrey Park – turning the tables on the Panthers after a 40-point final-round loss last weekend.
Surrey Park will meet the winner of Sunday’s Chirnside Park-Scoresby semi-final, with the winner to play in the grand final.
In Division 1, Montrose and Mitcham played out an extra-time thriller, with Montrose getting over the line courtesy of a Michael Schwab behind – 10.8 (68) to 10.7 (67) – after the scores were locked at 67 apiece at full-time.
Montrose will play minor premier South Belgrave in a semi-final next weekend for a spot in the grand final, while Mitcham awaits the winner of Sunday’s Beaconsfield-North Ringwood elimination final.
In Division 2, Templestowe (third) has upset the second-placed Waverley Blues in the qualifying final, 15.15 (105) to 11.6 (72), to advance to a semi-final date with minor premier Boronia for a ticket to the grand final.
The Blues await the winner of Sunday’s elimination final between Mulgrave and Heathmont.
SHARKS’ CHAMP CALLS TIME
Doncaster champion Chris Annakis has called time on an incredible career.
The Sharks’ legend collected three league medals, four club best and fairests, three premierships and 11 team-of-the-year appearances.
Unfortunately for Annakis, it wasn’t a fairy-tale finish, running into a red-hot Rowville.
DOGS DELIVER SOUTHERN CURVEBALL
St Paul’s McKinnon has given the Southern league Division 1 finals a shake with a commanding victory over Dingley.
The six-placed Dogs smacked finals-bound Dingley, 21.9 (135) to 4.12 (36).
The Dogs dominance has come to no avail however, as Port Melbourne Colts defeated Springvale Districts, 15.13 (103) to 13.15 (93) , to maintain its gap in fifth.
George Angelopoulos was Springvale Districts’ best while Justin Taylor will likely collect the three votes for the Colts.
Cheltenham, meanwhile, has won its 16th match in a row, but — more impressively — has kept its opponent goalless for its past 10 quarters.
A strong second half two weeks ago against Springvale Districts, before a flawless efforts over Mordialloc (last week) and St Kilda City (Saturday), 29.21 (195) to 0.2 (2), has Des Ryan’s men with an unusual yet astonishing streak.
Competition leading goal kicker Josh Fox booted eight while Dylan Weickhardt, Finn Ryan (six goals) and Sean Lai continued their superb seasons.
In Division 3, Lyndhurst has fallen heartbreakingly short of a finals berth.
After leading Ashwood for majority of the game, the reigning Division 4 premiers eventually drew, 8.12 (60) apiece, with the Maggies.
A win would’ve had the Lightning surpass Ashwood on percentage.
BAT RAISED
Echuca United’s James Harvey has etched himself into history by reaching the coveted 100-goal milestone.
In the final match of the season against Cobram, Harvey brought up his milestone with a clever left-foot snap.
The Eagles’ skipper kicked 25 goals in a match a fortnight ago to creep him closer, needing just five goals heading into Saturday’s match.
He finished with seven goals in the four-goal victory. He, Dane Leyden, Farran Priest and Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe were United’s best.
Elsewhere, Cora Lynn’s Nathan Gardiner too brought up his ton in the West Gippsland league.
The Cobras’ spearhead also needed five goals going in but, unlike Harvey, Gardiner had the safety net of a finals berth if he wasn’t to kick a handful this week.
He kicked eight and was best afield in the Cobras’ 12.7 (79) to 9.12 (66) win over Kooweerup.
BRIDGES BANK ENORMOUS WIN
Hurstbridge will finish Round 17 inside the Northern league top five with a phenomenal win over Greensborough.
It was a mini-elimination final for both sides but more so the Bridges, who needed to beat the Borough to keep its season alive.
The 9.13 (67) to 5.16 (46) result allows the Bridges to climb over the Borough by two premiership points.
The Bridges have Macleod (seventh) while the Borough should win over Whittlesea in the final round.
TIGERS FURTHER STAKE CLAIM
Werribee Districts has further pushed its case as Western Region Football League premiership favourites with a sensational performance on the eve of the finals.
The Tigers (first) handed Altona (second) an 8.8 (56) to 4.9 (33) defeat to push the Vikings down to third.
Despite an early tustle, Point Cook overcame a plucky Point Cook Centrals, 11.14 (80) to 10.10 (70) , to advance past Altona into second place on percentage ahead of the final round.
In Division 3, Suns walloped Albanvale in the top-of-the-table clash by 91 points.
Suns, which won 23.15 (153) to 9.8 (62), will now finish the season as minor premiers.
BLOODS CLINCH RELEGATION BATTLE
Brendan Donovan will finish up at Olinda Ferny Creek in the Outer East competition next week but he will leave with the club in the top flight.
The Bloods defeated Gembrook Cockatoo 9.11 (65) to 7.3 (45) to sink the Brookers back down to Division One in the penultimate round of the season.
Barring Gembrook Cockatoo defeating Wandin, which beat the Brookers last time around by 163 points, the Bloods will stay in the Premier Division.
Elsewhere in Outer East, Alexandra has booked the first berth in the Division 2 grand final with victory over Warburton Millgrove in Saturday’s second semi-final.
After an even first half, the Rebels kicked five goals to one after halftime to win by 31 points, 9.16 (70) to 5.9 (39).
In the first semi-final, reigning premiers Powelltown thrashed Yarra Glen by 118 points, 22.16 (148) to 3.12 (30).
HISTORY MADE
Oak Park (Premier), Essendon Doutta Stars (Division 1) and Airport West (Division 2) have all made history by clinching Essendon District league premierships.
Oak Park and Essendon Doutta Stars both won after winning the preliminary final last weekend while Airport West continued its unbeaten run.
Oak Park was the only side to win it in a tight finish, winning by just two points.
The Stars and Airport West were able to relish in their victory late in the piece.
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