Local footy wrap: Enormous goal hauls as ex-AFL men light it up
A former AFL star fired off 11 goals, a serious injury stopped a game and season-first wins were celebrated as local footy revved up around the state. Here’s Saturday’s wrap.
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A former AFL star fired off 11 goals, young guns ran rampant and season-first wins were celebrated as local footy revved up around the state.
Here’s Saturday’s wrap.
RYDER UNSTOPPABLE
Devon Meadows went on a scoring spree in the Mornington Peninsula league, kicking 36 goals in a 204-point win over Hastings on Saturday. Former AFL star Paddy Ryder led the onslaught with 11 goals, while Joel Hillis slotted seven and Patrick Sinnema and Alex Canal four apiece.
Ryder, after knee surgery in the off-season, was unstoppable.
“He only kicked one in the first quarter, but as soon as he started clunking a few he got his confidence going,’’ Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy said.
“He missed a couple and he passed three or four off. He probably could have kicked 15, really.’’
A ruthless Devon Meadows fired off 14 goals in the second quarter. It won 36.20 (236) to 5.2 (32).
SERIOUS INJURY STOPS GAME
A serious injury to a Tarneit player saw its game against Braybrook delayed in Division 2 of the Western Football League. It’s understood the player suffered a serious leg injury in the first quarter and was taken to hospital. When play resumed, Braybrook ran out 92-point winners. Ambulance Victoria confirmed paramedics attended Pennell Reserve.
MIGHTY MONTROSE
Nine goals from ex-AFL Tiger Ryan Garthwaite has spearheaded Montrose to a 19.7 (121) to 7.14 (56) win over powerhouse South Belgrave in the Eastern league’s Division 1. South Belgrave has been one of local footy’s most dominant teams of the past two seasons. It’s a big lift for the Gary Ayres-coached Montrose, which played in a preliminary final last season.
GEELONG GREAT NOTCHES FIRST WIN
North Shore has recorded its first win in 280 days in their season opener. The Seagulls led at every change against a depleted Lara, flexing their muscles on their home deck with nine goals to six in the second half. It was the first time North Shore had tasted victory since round 11 last year.
Meanwhile, in the GDFL, Geelong great Peter Riccardi notched his first win as coach of North Geelong, holding on to defeat a Luke Dahlhaus-led Anakie by 12 points.
It extends Anakie’s losing streak to nine, with their last victory coming against North Geelong in round nine last season.
MORRISH MEDALLIST KICKS BAG
Reigning Morrish medallist Patrick Hughes has kicked a bag of six goals in Torquay’s convincing win over Ocean Grove. Hughes, who dominated in the Coates League last season an inside midfielder, has had a significant impact up forward for the Tigers in the Bellarine league, with his six-goal haul taking his tally to 12 in three games.
Hughes attracted interest from AFL clubs last year and tested at the state draft combine but recruiters had concerns over his speed.
He has put forward a strong case to be selected for Geelong’s VFL side, having been added to their list over the pre-season.
PARROTS FLY HIGH
Leongatha has continued its great start to the Gippsland league with a 22-point win over Wonthaggi in the grand final replay. The contest was won in the first term with the Parrots kicking six goals to one to open up a 31-point lead at the first break. Leongatha’s Jenson Garnham kicked four goals. Wonthaggi is now 0-2 to start the season.
NO MAJAK DEBUT
Deer Park officially unveiled Majak Daw as a recruit in the lead up to the game against Keilor but there was no debut for the star signing. Eventually, Keilor ran out 76-point winners with ex-Essendon tall Cody Brand and Christos Kosmas booting five goals each. Daw’s brother, Anthony, did not play either. It will be interesting to see how the Lions fit Majak into their side given they used the full 46 player points available to them.
DISTRICTS START PERFECTLY
Reigning Western league Division 1 premiers Werribee Districts overcame a feisty Point Cook Centrals by 13 points to kickstart its season. Recruit Lucas Rocci slotted two goals with league medalist Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Jack Bonnett and Josh Mould also among the goals.
WEST COBURG WIN EDFL BATTLE
West Coburg made the perfect start in its bid to lift the EDFL Division 1 flag with a 16-point win over an inaccurate Maribyrnong Park. The Burgers were able to blow the game open early before holding off the Lions in the second half.
LIDS LIFTS BLUES
Former AFL player Brett Deledio played his first game for Tongala as the Blues won by 40 points over Numurkah in the Murray league. Deledio joined Tongala, which is also the junior club of last year’s number one pick in the AFL draft, Harley Reid. Deledio kicked a goal in the win, which was Tongala’s first of the season.
DENARO’S PERFECT START
New Coburg Districts coach Charlie Denaro had a perfect start after his side beat Northern Saints, a 2023 finalists. The Lions prevailed by seven points in a thrilling contest, coming from behind at three-quarter-time as Jack Gusman booted four goals on debut.
OLD MELBURNIANS STUNNER
After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Old Melburnians stunned reigning premier Collegians by 21 points to kickstart the season. Sam Luebe booted three goals on debut with Lachie Haysman, Ben Haysman and Jack Spargo also among the better players.
MITCH BROWN’S STUNNING DEBUT
Mitch Brown had a day out on debut for Parkdale Vultures in the VAFA’s Premier C competition as he booted 10 goals. The ex-AFL forward tore the game open as his side won by 173 points.
EX-AFL MAN RUNS HOT
Warrnambool has won its first game of the season with former AFL player Aaron Black kicking seven goals in the team’s 32-point win over Port Fairy, 16.10 (106) to 10.14 (74). After an extensive recruiting spree in the off-season, Warrnambool led from start to beat the Seagulls away from home. Former North Melbourne player Ben Cunnington also had a good day for his new club, kicking two goals.
LONIE STARS FOR ROSELLAS
Cheltenham enhanced its premiership credentials with a commanding win over Dingley in Southern league’s Division 1. The Dingoes led the Rosellas into halftime but the host’s class shone through to win 15.11 (101) to 10.5 (65). Former AFL-Saint Jack Lonie got off the chain in the third and fourth terms to finish with four goals. Rosellas Dylan Weickhardt and Declan McComb were also impressive. Forward Caleb Lewis starred for Dingley, booting five goals.
In Division 3, Carrum Patterson Lakes handed the highly-fancied Frankston Dolphins its first loss of 2024. The Lions kicked efficiently in front of goal to runaway 14.4 (89) to 12.8 (80) winners.
ROWVILLE REVS UP
Eastern top division reigning premier Rowville could take some beating again this season, flexing its muscles with a 76-point victory over Berwick, on the day it unfurled its 2023 flag to launch its campaign. Former VFL star Anthony Brolic was among the best afield with three goals.
DYNAMIC DARLEY
Darley unfurled the Ballarat league premiership flag and then smashed East Point by 96 points at Darley Park. Brett Bewley kicked three goals with Will Johnson kicking four against last year’s preliminary finalists. The contest was over at half time with Darley kicking 11 goals to zero, keeping East Point goalless.
DOGGIES DOWNED
Golden Square’s premiership defence has started on the wrong foot, losing to Eaglehawk in the Bendigo league by 19 points. It started well for the reigning premiers, leading by six point at the main break but a seven goal third term to Eaglehawk blew the Doggies away. It’s Golden Square’s third loss since the start of 2023.
RECRUIT SPARKS HAWKS
Former AFL player Cam Delaney kicked four goals on debut for Drysdale as the Hawks dispatched Anglesea by 56 points in the Bellarine league. Delaney, who played six AFL games for North Melbourne, crossed to Drysdale from Grovedale in the off-season. Joel Watson (four goals) and Tom Ruggles (two) also looked lively.
UNDEFEATED HOPPERS
Former Williamstown VFL player Josh Minogue fired off five goals as North Albury thrashed Corowa Rutherglen by 98 points, 21.13 (139) to 6.5 (41), to make it three-from-three in the Ovens and Murray league season. Cayden Winter, Nathan Dennis and Ben Fulford were also lively around goals for the Hoppers.
REDLEGS RUN RAMPANT
A red-hot Mt Eliza spoiled Dromana’s flag unfurling with an upset 39-point win in the Mornington Peninsula league. Teenager Ziggy Toledo kicked the opening goal as Mt Eliza rushed to a 38-point lead at halftime, with Fin Bayne, Michael West and former Box Hill VFL captain Damian Mascitti in mint form. Mt Eliza’s 13.14 (92) to 7.11 (53) victory gave new coach Rikki Johnston a triumphant return to Dromana, where he was a premiership player and coach.
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