Local footy wrap: Deledio, Kennedy, Rohan, Swan and more lift their respective sides to crucial wins

There were 10-goal hauls, while ex-AFL stars aplenty lifted their sides to crucial wins, and losing streaks were snapped emphatically. It’s all in our local footy wrap.

Kew Senior Men's player Oscar Kerford looking for a target against Old Peninsula in VAFA Division 1 on Saturday. Picture: Andrew Batsch

There was a haul of 10 goals, while an abundance of AFL greats lifted their respective sides to crucial wins.

It’s all in our Saturday local footy wrap below.

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BAG OF 10 FOR BURRA

A red-hot Bailey Humphrey fired off 10 goals as Warburton Millgrove put the whip to Yarra Glen, 19.19 (133) to 6.6 (42) in Outer East league’s Division 1. Humphrey has kicked 17 goals in the past two games, and the Burras have surged to top spot following Seville’s 29-point loss to Pakenham.

DELEDIO LIFTS BLUES TO WIN

In what may have been his last game of footy, AFL great Brett Deledio helped lift the Coleambally Blues to an eight-point win over the TRYC Magpies in the Farrer Football League. The Blues had trailed late before a pair of goals lifted them to victory.

Brett Deledio could have played his last game of footy this weekend with Coleambally.

EX-CAT HELPS STUN DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Port Fairy and AFL premiership player Gary Rohan has helped the Seagulls to stun last year’s premiers South Warrnambool in the Hampden league.

The forward kicked a goal as Port Fairy won by 38 points in one of the club’s best wins in years.

Hampden league legend Jason Rowan kicked two goals for Port Fairy as the team came back from a first quarter deficit to stun the Roosters.

Gary Rohan. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

KEW LAY DOWN PREMIERSHIP MARKER

Kew showed why it’s one of the favourites in VAFA Division 1 with a 76-point thumping of Old Peninsula.

Old Peninsula Senior Men's VC Max Kleverkamp has his kick smothered by Kew Senior Men's player Fintan Davis. Picture: Andrew Batsch.

BUNYIP’S HISTORIC WIN

Bunyip has secured its first win since rejoining the Ellinbank District league, beating Poowong by 21 points.

The Bulldogs led from start to finish and kicked away in the third term, kicking five goals to one, to open up a 28-point lead at the final change.

Bunyip held on in the final term to prevail for the first time since moving from the West Gippsland league last year.

Lachlan Petch, Tahj Murphy and William Grummisch each kicked two goals in the win.

BLOODS EDGE PIONEERS

Warrandyte has won its third match in a row to remain inside Eastern’s Division 4 top four, upsetting flag contender Whitehorse Pioneers in a 11.7 (73) to 10.10 (70) nailbiter at Springfield Park. With the scores locked at 35 apiece at the half, the visiting Bloods pulled ahead by 10 points by the final change before holding off the Pioneers’ last-ditch tilt at victory.

BOMBERS STAY UNDEFEATED

Frankston Bombers reaffirmed their status as premiership favourite with a 57-point win over rivals Chelsea in the Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 2.

The Bombers kicked 12 goals to five after halftime to bank their ninth win in a row, 18.17 (125) to 10.8 (68).

Jai Block, Jarrad Grant and Khan Haretuku were lively up forward for the Bombers.

PEARSON, POTTS STEAL SWAN SHOW

On a day where Eastern Division 3 club Oakleigh District welcomed AFL great Dane Swan and toasted its 75th anniversary, former VFL men Blake Pearson and Luke Potts stole the show.

Playing-coach Pearson finished with six goals in the 23.16 (154) to 3.13 (31) rout of Silvan while midfielder Potts had the ball on a string, as the ex-Frankston captain gave 50 possessions a shake in a best-afield display.

Fittingly, the Oaks wore their heritage strip – black and white stripes – in Swan’s cameo, who said he “didn’t have to do a lot” amid the dominance of Pearson and Potts.

The 123-point victory keeps the Oaks in touch with the finals race, lifting their record to 4-6.

And they may even see more of Swan at the business end of the year, with the Brownlow medallist hinting post-game: “Hopefully if they’re going all right, you might see me back here in the back half of the year”.

EFNL: Oakleigh District playing coach Blake Pearson.

CICITTA’S DAY OUT

It was a career day for St Mary’s Jack Cicitta. The club favourite bagged an incredible 10 goals in the Burras’ thumping 105-point win over Lower Plenty at Montmorency Park. While Cicitta stole the show, another eight teammates also hit the scoreboard in the 21.19 (145) to 5.10 (40) victory. Playing his first game since Round 1, VFL-listed ace Dom Akuei was a significant inclusion for the match, which now cements St Mary’s in fourth place on the NFNL Division 2 ladder.

Jack Cicitta of St Mary’s is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

SPECIAL MOMENT FOR EX-AFL PLAYER

Andrew Hooper will remember today for a while after playing in the same team as his nephew for the Ballarat Swans on Saturday.

The former Western Bulldogs small forward played with Emerton Hooper who made his debut for Ballarat against Melton.

Hooper, 16, is part of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and played in the V-Line Cup last year.

Despite the 20-point loss to Melton, Andrew impressed, kicking three goals on a special day for the family.

BLOODS HOLD ON

Healesville consolidated fourth spot in Outer East league’s Premier Division after withstanding a withering late surge from Gembrook Cockatoo. Healesville led by 50 points at three quarter time but received a scare as the Brookers kicked six unanswered goals in the last quarter to fall just short, 13.9 (87) to 11.10 (76).

TAYLORS LAKES HUGE UPSET

Taylors Lakes produced the upset of the EDFL season so far after stunning Hillside by seven points in Division 1. Lachlan Rayner, brother of Brisbane star Cam, was among the goals with two.

VITAL WIN FOR TIGERS

Albury has kept its finals hopes alive with an impressive 36-point win over Wangaratta Magpies at home in the Ovens and Murray league.

A final quarter burst, kicking seven goals to three, helped the Tigers to their fifth win of the season.

Ex-VFL player Mat Walker kicked five goals.

The win moves Albury to seventh, level on points with fifth and finals, after nine matches in the season.

OLD XAVS CELEBRATE KENNEDY’S DEBUT

Josh Kennedy made his Old Xaverians debut as the VAFA Premier men flag contender ran out 56-point winners against De La Salle. Reigning league medal winner Sam Fisher dominated with five goals.

Former Sydney Swans captain and player Josh Kennedy. Picture: Linda Higginson.

LIONS ON THE BOARD

After an eight-week wait, South Morang has scored its first NFNL Division 1 win in club history. A superb five-goal last quarter delivered the Lions – and their passionate fans – an 18-point win over Eltham at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. VFL-listed ace Davin Cameron booted three goals, while Koby Davies was named best-on-ground in the groundbreaking win. Tyrone Leonardis, Kobe van Zwienen, Lucas Yacoub and Noah Cumberland also impressed in the 8.7 (55) to 4.13 (37) triumph.

PERFECT DEBUT FOR PALMER

Ex-AFL player Jesse Palmer has helped Skipton end Dunnstown’s unbeaten start to the season in the Central Highlands.

Skipton smashed a wasteful Dunnstown by 64 points, 17.3. (105) to 4.17. (41) with Palmer kicking two goals.

Palmer, who played a couple of games for Port Adelaide, joined the club during the week.

Dunnstown, who had won eight straight to start the year, are still top after nine rounds.

VAMPIRES BACK ON WINNER’S LIST

Nick Jewell’s East Brighton side snapped a three-match losing streak in Southern Division 1 after toppling Murrumbeena by 38 points. Sean Downie led the way with four majors, while a further four players – including Thomas Lamb – snagged two each.

HAWKS SNAP LOSING STREAK

Rowville’s three-game losing streak is over after the Eastern Premier Division power heaped more pain on a winless Mitcham – 24.16 (160) to 3.4 (22). The visiting Hawks raced to an 11-goal-to-three opening half before an unrelenting 13-goal display after the main break blew the margin out to 138. Rowville remains third on the ladder with a 5-3 record, while Mitcham’s season has slumped to 0-8.

EAGLES AND DOGS IN THRILLER

Edithvale-Aspendale produced a late surge to salvage a draw against Mornington in Mornington Peninsula league Division 1. The Eagles trailed at every change before kicking the last three goals of the game to knot scores at 11.13 (79).

VFL YOUNG GUN THRIVES

Footscray VFL listed player Xavier Kardachi played a key role as Sunshine secured its second win of the Western league division one season. He was best afield as they ran out 23-point winners against Altona as Riley Buckland kicked three goals.

Xavier Kardachi marks. Picture: Andrew Batsch

DIGGERS CRASH PARTY

Wallan star Chris Stewart celebrated his 300th senior match on Saturday but RDFNL ladder-leader Diggers Rest took the prize – four points. The Burras romped to a 48-point win at Greenhill Reserve to ruin local footy legend Stewart’s milestone. Boom off-season recruit Tye Browning played arguably his best game for Diggers, while Jesse Varsamakis (three goals), Nathan Aidonis and Brandon Lester also impressed in the 15.10 (100) to 8.4 (52) victory.

BULLS CLAIM SCALP 

Noble Park has upset Doncaster East 14.8 (92) to 11.13 (79) in Eastern’s Premier Division, led by four goals from vice-captain Jordan Marson and ex-AFL Saint Sam Gilbert with three. Ahead by a point at quarter time, the visiting Bulls blew the margin out to 22 by the half before resisting the Lions’ final-term charge. Former AFL players Josh Schache (three goals) and Tom Bell (two) led the scoring for Doncaster East. Noble Park’s record improved to 3-5 while Doncaster East sits 4-4.

DEES TOPPLE DISTRICTS

Bentleigh has proved yet again that it is the real deal in the Southern League’s top division after toppling Springvale Districts by two points. A clutch Ross Barlas goal in the 28th minute was the final score of the game and lifted the Dees to victory.

HOERS ENJOY ROAD TRIP

Ivanhoe has produced arguably its biggest win of the NFNL Division 3 season, upsetting Kilmore by 37 points at JJ Clancy Reserve. The 12.10 (82) to 7.3 (45) victory sees Ivanhoe leapfrog the Two Blues into the top-five. The perfect way for the club to enter its bye.

SAINTS FIND FORM

After a winless 2024 season in Southern Division 3 and a tough start to life in Division 4 this year, the Narre South Saints recorded their third win of the season – and second on the trot – defeating Clayton by 17 points. Nicholas Green led the way with four majors.