Local footy wrap: Ex-AFL man closes in on ton, drought-breaking win, upsets and more
There were historic upsets, a drought-breaking win and a former AFL player is just two goals away from the first ton of his career. Catch up on all the local footy action.
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Local footy’s second ton of the season is in sight.
Ex-AFL man Aaron Mullett fired off 10 goals to move to 98 for the season as Wandin put the whip to Emerald, 18.19 (127) to 6.7 (43) in Outer East’s Premier Division.
The 33-year-old is expected to notch his first goal century next Saturday when the Bulldogs host Olinda Ferny Creek. Mullett is averaging 8.1 goals a game this season.
GALLERIES
HONEY DELIGHTS FOR KEILOR
Former Carlton player Josh Honey was best afield for Keilor with four goals as Mick McGuane’s side saw off fellow EDFL Premier Division contender Aberfeldie by 52 points. Leading by 17 at the final change, the Blues kicked into gear with an eight-goal to two final quarter.
SEAFORD WIN A SHOOTOUT
Seaford toppled Tyabb by 27 points in a high-scoring MPNFL Division 2 clash.
The Tigers kicked 19.17 (131) to Tyabb’s 16.8 (104) at RF Miles Recreation Reserve.
VAFA BIG V WOMEN REMAIN PERFECT
Paul Groves’ side made it 6-0 for the Ammos representative team with a 6.8 (44) to 3.3 (21) win over the Perth Football League at Elsternwick Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was the perfect start to the Big V 100th centenary celebrations as a three-goal blitz at the start of the game set up the victory.
Skipper Taylah Watson was named the best player on the ground by the umpires after a dominant display in the middle of the ground.
Watson set the standard for the hosts winning plenty of footy throughout the afternoon and driving the ball forward at will.
Hannah Smith was the key target up forward with three goals including a clever snap in the second term after some fancy footwork around the contest.
Mia Cowan ensured her presence was felt with two goals including the sealer in the final term when she ran into an open goal.
Although she limped off late in the game with a rolled ankle.
Jacinta Baxter was named best by the Perth Football League and received a medal for that honour.
Chloe Colegate was judged best by the VAFA after a strong performance in defence for the West Australians.
VAFA MEN’S CELEBRATIONS SPOILED
The Perth Football League have spoiled the VAFA Centenary celebrations in a thrilling contest.
The Western Australian competition prevailed 14.14 (98) to 14.8 (92) to win a thrilling contest against the Big V men.
Daniel Harford’s VAFA side had the early running in the contest to lead at quarter time and the main break but the WA outfit just ate away at their opposition’s lead.
It was a high display of footy throughout which both sides can be extremely proud of.
SCHOFIELD LIFTS HILL END TO VICTORY
Hill End has won its first game of the season in the Mid Gippsland league after defeating Stony Creek by 42 points.
Former West Coast Eagle Will Schofield came out of retirement to play for Hill End as part of the Carlton Draft and delivered. He gave an inspiring pre-game rev up and kicked a brilliant goal from the pocket out of the ruck too.
The result was Hill End’s first win over a year, with the last triumph coming back in round 12, 2024.
Darcy Paul, Aaron Fawcett, Seth Calway, Amburupa Uliando, Liam Cumiskey and Kyan Mulley were Hill End’s best, as Paul finished with five goals.
THE WAIT IS OVER
After 27 matches without a win, Lancefield is back in the RDFNL winners’ circle. The Tigers claimed a long-awaited win, their first since August 2023, beating Gisborne Giants by 33 points on the road. After a slow start, the Tigers were a class above in the 14.15 (99) to 9.12 (66) victory. Tom Jackson and Tom Sayers spearheaded the win with four goals each, Jackson kicking his 30th of the year, while Sayers backed up eight last week. Ben Sankey was best afield in the win, together with James Falcone, Riley Omeara, Ned O’Connell. Ethan Wellby was best for Gisborne and skipper Brad Mangan kicked four goals.
SAY THAT AGAIN?
Has there been a bigger local footy upset this year? Berwick has sensationally toppled Eastern Premier Division ladder-leader East Ringwood in a David vs. Goliath battle.
The Wickers – who sit second-last on the ladder – had won just two matches before Saturday’s 11.7 (73) to 8.19 (67) boilover. Trailing by 10 points at quarter-time, the visiting Berwick closed the gap to just four by the main break before edging ahead by eight points at the final change.
Ahead by 20 points nearing time-on of the final term, last year’s runner-up East Ringwood gave the Wickers an almighty fright in a heart-stopping last 10 minutes – with the final three scoring shots going begging for the Roos.
The victory could prove crucial for Berwick in its bid to avoid relegation at season’s end, with the result lifting it two wins clear of last-placed Mitcham, with a 3-9 record.
NINE OF THE BEST
Former VFL player Jake Best kicked nine goals for Foster to lift them to an 81-point win over Meeniyan Dumbalk United in the Mid Gippsland league.
The win 23.9 (147) to 10.6 (66) win means Foster remain on top with an 11-1 record.
Best has now kicked nine goals two weeks running and has 63 for the season.
HAWKS WIN AFTER THE SIREN
Monbulk continued its march to the finals in Outer East’s Premier Division with a heart-stopping goal-after-the-siren one-point win over Upwey Tecoma, 9.9 (63) to 9.8 (62). Johnathon Hevern and Bailey Rutherford kicked two goals apiece as the Hawks came from 15 points behind in the last quarter.
CRAIGIEBURN SURPRISE
Craigieburn picked up a surprise win over Taylors Lakes in Division 1 of the EDFL, running out 31-point victors. The Eagles set up the victory with a seven goal third term. Craigieburn now sits just one game and a percentage behind the Lions in the race for the top-five.
CRUCIAL WIN FOR LAVINGTON
Lavington has hung on for a crucial eight-point win over North Albury in the Ovens and Murray league.
The Panthers prevailed 9.5 (59) to 7.9 (51) at Bunton Park. Tim Oosterhof led the way with three goals, while Jack Costello, Nicholas Newton, William Glanvill, Jesse Hart, Jack Glanvill and Nicholas Sedgwick were named in the best.
Lavington consulted second-place thanks to the win, while North Albury slumped to fifth.
REDBACKS ON TOP
Hampton Park has progressed to the top of the Southern league Division 2 ladder after a convincing 77-point win over the Doveton Doves at Robinson Reserve.
The Redbacks jumped out of the blocks and never looked back, while Trent Thomas led the way with four goals.
Hampton Park is now a game clear on top of Division 2 after prevailing in the standalone clash.
ADVANTAGE EAGLES
Yarraville Seddon is in the box seat to claim the WFNL Division 1 double chance after a 20-point win over Caroline Springs. The Eagles were led by four goals from Tyson Brazel to open a two-game gap in the race for the top-three as Lachlan Green booted three of his own.
ANOTHER BIG UPSET
North Ringwood has handed Eastern Division 1 ladder-leader South Belgrave its first loss of the season, bringing an end to the juggernaut’s 11-game winning streak. Coming from eight points down at the final change, North Ringwood prevailed 13.9 (87) to 11.10 (76), in what could be an all-important scalp in the red-hot race for the fifth and final spot in September. The four points lifts North Ringwood two games clear of Montrose, which is knocking on the door of the top-five in sixth.
RUNAWAY TIGERS
The margin was just two points at half-time in the NFNL Division 1 grand final rematch between Heidelberg and Montmorency. And yet, as they’ve done all season, the Tigers finished the day as big winners, finishing 54-point victors at Warringal Park. In a standalone split-round clash, the home side piled on 13 goals to five in the second half to run out 18.16 (124) to 11.4 (70) winners.
Kai Kearns was best afield in the win, while Matt Cecchin, Sam Gilmore and Jack McKenna all impressed and Jack Andrew finished with four majors. Kieran Keating finished with four goals for Montmorency in a standout performance, while Levi McCormack and Nick Green also stood tall.
EAGLES SWOOP
Somerville mounted a stirring last-quarter comeback to keep its finals hopes alive with a thrilling seven-point win over Devon Meadows in Mornington Peninsula’s Division 2.
The Eagles trailed by 16 points at the last change but kicked four unanswered goals to win 11.11 (77) to 10.10 (70). Devon Meadows scored three behinds in the final term.
Mitch Mantell, Lachlan Haskett and Lachlan Gill-Renouf were pivotal in the win which improved Somerville’s record to 7-6, equal on points with fifth-placed Devon Meadows.
BELGRAVE TAMES LIONS
A red-hot Chris Campbell slotted seven goals to fire Belgrave to a two-point win over ladder leaders Pakenham in Outer East’s Division 1. The former Mazenod full-forward made the most of his chances as Belgrave kicked five goals in both the first and third quarters, and then held on determinedly, to win 13.15 (93) to 14.7 (91) – handing Pakenham only its second defeat of the season. Belgrave is 6-6 and chasing finals.
‘Hard to imagine without him’: dedicated coach calls time
Old Eltham Collegians will begin the hunt for a new coach after Matt Sleeman called time on a six-year tenure. The Turtles are the fourth NFNL Division 3 club to make a coaching change.
Clubs wavering on West Gippsland league switch
Decision time looms for clubs wanting to join West Gippsland league in 2026, but some existing clubs may be going cold on the idea.