Local footy wrap: Flag contenders emerge among bumper weekend of action

Contenders matched up across several of the state’s local footy comps on Saturday – with some eye-popping results shaking up the premiership pecking order.

Contenders matched up across several of the state’s local footy comps on Saturday – with some eye-popping results shaking up the premiership pecking order.

Here are the weekend’s biggest talking points ...

BALWYN’S BIG STATEMENT

Eastern league power Balwyn has claimed its biggest scalp of the season, knocking over Premier Division ladder-leader East Ringwood 14.17 (101) to 6.9 (45) to put the competition on notice.

Entering the match in fourth spot, the Tigers jump into first with a 9-3 record, drawing equal on points with the ‘Roos – who slide to third.

The result reaffirms Balwyn’s flag credentials with six home-and-away matches remaining.

Balwyn’s Jeff Gobbels Photo: Hamish Blair

WEST COBURG DOES IT AT THE DEATH

Essendon District Division 1 ladder-leader West Coburg has maintained its perfect record with a heart-stopping after-the-siren victory over second-placed Deer Park.

Jesse Martini proved the hero as he kicked truly for the matchwinner in the 11.15 (81) to 11.10 (76) win.

West Coburg’s unbeaten run extends to 12 matches this season, while Deer Park sits 9-3.

NARRE DOWNS DOGGIES

Former West Coast Eagle Kurt Mutimer turned in a best-on-ground display to help Narre Warren to a 39-point win over Wandin in a top-of-the-table clash in Outer East league’s Premier Division.

Brad Scalzo also starred as the Magpies kicked six goals to one in the last quarter to win 13.18 (96) to 9.3 (57).

Narre Warren captain and league medallist Jake Richardson booted three goals.

DOGGIES BANK VITAL WIN

Mornington made its premiership intentions clear with a convincing 19-point win over ladder-leader Karingal in MPFNL Division 2.

The Bulldogs burst from the blocks with the opening three goals of the game to set up a 10.8 (68) to 7.7 (49) victory.

Jake Smart was best afield and Matt North slotted three goals for Mornington, in second spot with a 9-3 record.

Narre Warren’s Kurt Mutimer. Picture: Valeriu Campan

WESTERN SHAKE-UP

Division 1 ladder-leader Werribee Districts handed second-placed Point Cook a 28-point defeat in the WRFL, winning 12.16 (88) to 9.6 (60). Meanwhile, top-three outfit Altona has maintained its hopes of a double chance this September, edging Caroline Springs 5.9 (39) to 5.7 (37).

BLUES SNATCH SECOND

The University Blues trumped Old Scotch for second spot in the VAFA’s Premier Division with a 15.10 (100) to 3.8 (26) win.

Piling on nine goals to none in the first half, the Blues took a 58-point lead into the main break and didn’t relent as William Carrington and Sam Grimley bagged four goals each.

EAGLES FLY HOME

Vermont held off a third-quarter revival from Doncaster East, with the third-seeded Eagles knocking off the second-placed Lions 16.6 (102) to 9.13 (67) in the Eastern league’s Premier Division.

Doncaster East cut the margin to just 12 points at the final change from a five-goal half-time deficit.

Adrian Kalcovski again led Vermont’s charge, following on from a six-goal display last Sunday with a leading four majors.

BULLS BOUNCE BACK

Noble Park charged two games clear inside the Eastern league Premier Division top six with a resounding win over seventh-placed Blackburn.

Rebounding from a heavy loss to a finals-bound Doncaster East the previous week, the Bulls’ 8.8 (56) to 2.9 (21) win sets Blackburn a tough ask of making up the ground of two matches and percentage on the top six, with six home-and-away rounds remaining.

SEAGULLS SWOOP

Chelsea has given its finals hopes a timely boost with a three-point win over local rivals Edithvale-Aspendale.

The determined Seagulls held off a charging Edi-Asp to triumph 11.7 (73) to 10.10 (70) to improve their record to 7-6 in the Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 2.

COLTS DASH DINGOES

Top-five fancy Port Melbourne Colts have handed Dingley a third-straight defeat in the Southern league’s Division 1 with a 12.12 (84) to 8.4 (52) victory. Widely touted as one of the top contenders earlier this season, Dingley had previously won eight matches in a row before its trio of defeats, said to be recently ravaged with player unavailability.

Entering the match in fifth spot, the Colts took control of the third-placed Dingoes in the second term with a 10-point half-time lead before a 14-point buffer at the final change.

EASTERN DIVISION 4 BOILOVER

Chirnside Park has upset ladder-leader Kilsyth for just its second loss of the Eastern league Division 4 season, 12.9 (81) to 4.5 (29).

The victory signals a hot race for the fourth and last spot in the finals, with Chirnside Park skipping a game clear in fourth ahead of Forest Hill (fifth), which had the bye this weekend.

CENTRALS EDGE REDBACKS

Melton Centrals held off Romsey in a 9.7 (61) to 7.12 (54) thriller in the Ballarat league. With the scores locked at 52 apiece at three-quarter time, Centrals edged ahead in the final term, and were ably led by Dylan Jobson (three goals) and Jake Armistead (two), with the pair finishing among the best. Centrals leapfrog Romsey and Macedon on the ladder to keep their finals hopes alive.