Local footy wrap: Ex-AFL talents rock the bush and ‘burbs in local footy’s return
A host of former AFL names turned out across the state as leagues heralded local footy’s return en masse. One ex-AFL star even helped a team snap a long losing streak. Latest here.
Local Footy
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Former AFL talents shone on and off the field as local footy returned en masse to the bush and the ‘burbs.
Some fired in front of the big sticks, others toasted their first win as coach and one even helped a team to its first victory in more than a year.
All and more in this week’s local footy wrap ...
DENNIS-LANE DAZZLES ON DEBUT
Dingley has kickstarted its Southern league campaign in style, defeating rival Springvale Districts led by ex-AFL forward Trent Dennis-Lane.
Dennis-Lane was dangerous all day in the 12.8 (80) to 8.6 (54) win, booting four goals and demanding two opponents at one stage late in the second term.
The Dingoes boasted an exceptional side including former NFL punter Arryn Siposs and VFL star Caleb Lewis.
Siposs had an ‘almost’ day on the wing while young gun Mitch Cook appeared to had taken a big step from last year.
TIPPA STARS IN DROUGHT-BREAKER
Bottom has beaten top in the Sunraysia league, all thanks to ex-AFL livewire Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. The Imperial recruit kicked three goals to help the team to a 27-point win over Robinvale Euston, in the club’s first victory since Round 15, 2022. The ex-Essendon man kicked two goals in the first half before another in the final term to help Imperial overcome the Eagles. Imperial kicked away to a 22-point lead at quarter time before the Eagles came back. The margin was reduced to four in the final term before McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked his third goal to break the game open as Imps took control of the contest.
CURNOW’S DREAM START
Former Carlton man Ed Curnow might think the coaching game was easy after his side Lorne won by 107 points in its season-opener against the Western Eagles in the Colac District league. Curnow, who retired from the AFL last year after a 221-game career, also took the field for Lorne, kicking a goal as the Dolphins registered 10 majors in each half.
SPINDLESHANKS MAKES WINNING COACHING DEBUT
Ex-AFL Bulldog and Sun Jarrad Grant has kicked off his coaching career with a thrilling triumph.
Grant’s Frankston Bombers edged Langwarrin by a point, 5.13 (43) to 5.12 (42), in Division 1 of the Mornington Peninsula league.
Elsewhere, Frankston YCW stunned Mt Eliza with an explosive six-goal-to-one opening quarter, setting up a 45-point win. Luca Goonan, Lane Meyer and Darcy Murr ran rampant for the Stonecats.
THREE-DECADE FIRST
Portarlington has toasted its first win over Ocean Grove in 30 years. The visitors won 13.5 (83) to 7.11 (53) in the Bellarine FL bout played at Ray Menzies Oval, as former Hawthorn midfielder Teia Miles starred with five goals.
STARS SHINE IN ALL-STAR BOUT
An appearance from Brownlow medallist Dane Swan and the club debut of local footy great Shane Harvey wasn’t enough to drag Kinglake over the line in its Northern league Division 3 bout with Fitzroy Stars. The Stars prevailed 10.13 (73) to 6.9 (45), with former AFL Demon Neville Jetta on debut for the club.
GULLS CAUSE UPSET
In the Gippsland league, Warragul raised its supporters’ hopes of a resurgence when it knocked over 2023 grand finalist Wonthaggi at Western Park, 8.9 (57) to 7.6 (48).
The Gulls were split apart by injury last year and won only three matches.
But they can be confident of better times after edging away from Power in the second half.
Coached by former AFL player Jed Lamb, Warragul was stronger for the return of ex-VFL player Tom Hobbs and the recruitment of Claremont WAFL vice-captain Jack Lewsey. Ruckman Mitchell Smart was best-afield.
Collingwood VFL newcomer Ryan Sparkes and Jack Blair, the brother of coach Jarryd, led the Power effort.
PIES TAKEN DOWN BY HOPPERS
The premiership favourite in the Ovens and Murray league has some work to do after starting the season with two straight losses. Wangaratta lost last week to its rival and this week fell to North Albury by 10 points. In a close contest all game with scores level at half-time, the Hoppers kicked away in the final term to win 11.8.(74) to 9.10.(64). Nathan Daniels was the difference kicking five goals for the Hoppers in the win.
TURTLES STORM HOME
Old Eltham Collegians staged a remarkable comeback in the Northern league’s Division 3, toppling Mernda by eight points after finishing with a rush of six consecutive goals. With former AFL Magpie Brent Macaffer on debut, the Turtles trailed by some 40 points at one stage. It’s a further blow to Mernda which fell in last year’s grand final after leading by three goals.
AYRES’ MEN TOO STRONG
The Gary Ayres-coached Montrose romped to a 22.16 (148) to 9.11 (65) victory over Doncaster in the Eastern league’s Division 1. The match marked Doncaster’s first outing in the division after relegation from the top-flight at the end of 2023 while Montrose featured in the Division 1 preliminary final last year.
HAWKS FLEX IN FLAG DEFENCE
Eight goals from ex-AFL Bomber Josh Begley helped Eastern Division 2 reigning premier Boronia to an opening-round victory, sinking Lilydale 16.16 (112) to 9.6 (60). The Hawks led by 11 points at the half before extending the margin to 25 at the final change. The match also marked Lilydale’s first outing in the division following relegation at the end of last season.
RETURNING COACH HONOURED
Mornington Peninsula league Division 2’s Crib Point celebrated Duane Annable’s coaching return with a resounding 10-goal win over Hastings, 18.17 (125) to 10.4 (64). Lee Sheehan and Brad Arnold booted three goals apiece.
Elsewhere, Mitch Gent capped a best-on-ground display with two goals and Jack Caspersz slotted four goals as Bonbeach beat Seaford by 34 points, 12.10 (82) to 6.12 (48).
And boom recruit Brendan Hermann was best-afield in Devon Meadows’ 14-point win over a fast-finishing Pearcedale, 14.13 (97) to 12.11 (83).
JETS OFF TO A FLYER
A former Western Bulldogs rookie has helped Heathmont to a first-up victory over The Basin in the Eastern league’s Division 2. Launching the season under lights on Friday night, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh starred for Heathmont with a best-afield performance in the ruck as the Jets prevailed 7.14 (56) to 4.5 (29). Heathmont finished runner-up last season, falling to Boronia by 32 points in the grand final.
VALES STILL TEAM TO BEAT
Donvale remains the team to beat in the Eastern league’s Division 3 after overcoming Ferntree Gully in the grand final rematch. An inaccurate Vales sunk the Eagles 9.18 (72) to 6.9 (45) after trailing at the quarter and half-time breaks as spearhead Nick Murphy starred with five goals.
CATS SCRATCH FLAG RIVAL
Albion has outlasted premiership rival Sunshine in the Western league’s Division 2, prevailing 9.16 (70) to 8.13 (61) in a tough, contested display from both sides. Albion captain Cooper Muir booted two crucial final-quarter goals, as the Cats made the most of the breeze in the last term. Albion fell to Parkside by two points in last year’s Division 2 decider while Sunshine bowed out in a semi-final.
EX-TIGER WINS ON DEBUT
Sale got the better of fierce rival Maffra, shooting away with an eight-goal second quarter to win 16.15 (111) to 12.7 (79).
Former Richmond player Derek Eggmolesse-Smith made his debut for Sale, which was again inspired by former Gold Coast Sun Jack Leslie and league medal champion Shannen Lange.
Reigning premier Leongatha had kicked 0.10 by half-time but straightened up to nose out Traralgon by five points, 6.13 (49) to 6.8 (44).
Tom Blenheim, Hugh Longbottom and Will Mitchell were three of Bairnsdale’s best in its 9.11 (65) to 6.13 (49) win over Drouin, and premiership aspirant Moe held out Morwell 7.14 (56) to 7.5 (47), with top midfielder Riley Baldi and Ben Daniher, the son of Neale, setting the example.
DOGS SHINE IN GOULBURN VALLEY
Tatura has caused the first major upset of the year, beating Seymour 11.9.(75) to 10.12.(72) in its first game of the season. Led by former Port Adelaide player Aidyn Johnson on debut for the club, the Bulldogs rallied from an 11-point deficit at three-quarter-time. Tatura duo Chaz Sargeant and Tim Wilson both kicked three goals. For Seymour, there was no debut for high-prized recruit and ex-AFL player David Mundy.
MARBY PERFECT
Maribyrnong Park made a perfect start in EDFL Division 1 with 69-point win over Oak Park. The Lions kept the Roos to one goal in the second half.
NO GIANT FAIRYTALE
The Maryborough Giants fell agonisingly short of winning their first match as a club, losing by one point to Talbot in the Maryborough Castlemaine league. The Giants, formed after the amalgamation of Royal Park and Maryborough Rovers, played their first match at home and were in the hunt to have the fairytale victory all day. But a late behind to Talbot gave them the win, 9.9.(63) to 8.14.(62).
There was late drama with play continuing after the siren had sounded and the game was not stopped. Thankfully for Talbot when the game was stopped it had the ball and no additional scores occurred. Maryborough Giants coach and ex-AFL player Damian Cupido played in the first game after overcoming a calf injury and was kept goalless in the contest.
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