Local footy wrap: Gary Ablett and Dane Swan run rampant

Brownlow medallists starred, sides proved their premiership credentials and vital wins were celebrated...it’s all contained in our local footy wrap.

Gary Ablett sings the song in the rooms after Creswick’s victory in the Central Highlands Football League on Saturday. Photo by Josh Chadwick

Gary Ablett has delved into his bag of tricks to inspire Creswick to a memorable win in the Central Highlands Football League.

The Geelong great kicked the first and last goals of the match as Creswick beat Ballan by 23 points, 7.6 (48) to 4.1 (25), at a muddy Doug Lindsay Reserve.

His last goal was soccered off the ground, sealing the Saints’ second win of the season.

In the lead up to the game, “Gazza fever’’ gripped Creswick, with the club selling over 2000 tickets to the match.

It was Ablett’s first match in Victoria since his retirement from the AFL.

And he appeared to love it; mobbed by teammates and belting out the club’s song in the rooms after the match.

“A really big day, big crowd and heaps of support around the ground,’’ the club’s Jacqui Hyde said.

“Everyone was really excited and it brought a lot of people in from Creswick.’’

Aaron Sedgwick, Patrick Taranto and Ethan Henderson were among Creswick’s best players.

Gary Ablett of Creswick kicks. Photo by Josh Chadwick

Ablett is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal. Photo by Josh Chadwick

SCINTILLATING SWANNY

Collingwood legend Dane Swan played for his 24th football club in three years on Saturday when he pulled on the red and green of Pines in the Mornington Peninsula league.

And it was a spectacular Pythons debut by the Brownlow medallist, playing a starring role in their 64-point win over fourth-placed Frankston Bombers, 14.15 (99) to 5.5 (35).

Swan played across half back in the first three quarters before being moved forward in the final quarter and kicking three goals.

“One was absolutely vintage,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“He beat off about three opponents and slotted a left foot snap.’’

Swan will play the remainder of the season with Pines, which has climbed to fourth spot on the Division 1 ladder with a 7-4 record.

Dane Swan gives the thumbs up after his first quarter as a Pines Python.

Dane Swan wearing No. 55. Pictures: Simon McEvoy

HAWKS CONSOLIDATE IN TOP FOUR, SHARKS BREAK DUCK

Rowville has made a big statement in the Eastern league’s Premier Division, cruising to a 17.13 (115) to 11.8 (74) win over Blackburn in a third versus fourth clash to consolidate its spot in the top four.

The Hawks piled on seven goals to three in the opening term and didn’t look back, with the 26-point quarter-time deficit proving a bridge too far for the Burners.

Meanwhile, Park Orchards has toasted its first victory of 2023 with a 15-point upset over Norwood, bringing an end to nine consecutive losses this season.

GRIPPING WIN

Altona held off a late-charging Point Cook to secure a nine-point win and consolidate third spot in Western Region Football League Division 1. Point Cook rattled home kicking four of the last five goals but Altona held firm to prevail 9.6 (60) to7.9 (51). Altona’s Saad El-Hawli capped a best-afield display with two goals, while Ethan Taylor, Josh Bench and Joel Menadue were also named in the best.

Ethan Taylor takes a kick for Altona. Picture: Valeriu Campan

COUGARS FEND OFF FLAG RIVAL

Kilsyth remains on top of the Eastern league Division 4 ladder after a 9.10 (64) to 4.9 (33) win over Surrey Park in a top-of-the-table clash.

Kilsyth led at all changes with no less than a kick separating the pair at each interval.

The ladder-leader threatened to blow the game open in the third term with an 18-point buffer before the hosts cut the deficit to just five at three-quarter time.

But the Cougars weren’t to be denied in the final term, adding four goals to none as ruckman Sean Currey proved instrumental in the midfield battle, while young gun Jayden Weichard also stood out through the engine room.

MIRRA STARS

Former Hawthorn defender David Mirra capped a best-on-ground display with six goals as Collegians powered to a 70-point win over Old Melburnians in VAFA Premier.

Old Haileybury scored a boilover win, edging ladder leaders Old Scotch by 10 points, 6.8 (44) to 3.16 (34), with Durras Seccull, Jack Bell and Lachlan Riley outstanding for the Bloods.

BURRAS REMAIN PERFECT

Diggers Rest proved its premiership credentials with a 34-point win over Woodend-Hesket in a top-of-the-ladder clash in the Riddell District league.

The Burras prevailed 13.8 (86) to 7.10 (52) to remain undefeated, 9-0.

ROSELLAS FLYING HIGH

Cheltenham went a game clear on top of the Southern league Division 1 ladder after thrashing second-placed Dingley by 77 points, 14.10 (94) to 2.5 (17).

Ollie Moran and Nick Burke were lively early as the Rosellas kicked four goals straight to Dingley’s 1.2 into a stiff breeze in the opening quarter.

Cheltenham, chasing its first division one flag since 1934, has racked up nine straight wins since losing its opening match of the season to Cranbourne.

GARNER IN HOT FORM

Former Port Adelaide defender Joel Garner slotted six goals to fire Wandin to a whopping 163-point win over Gembrook Cockatoo in Outer East’s Premier division. The undefeated Bulldogs slammed on 10 goals in the last quarter, prevailing 24.24 (168) to 0.5 (5). Elsewhere, Narre Warren thrashed Woori Yallock by 70 points in a rematch of last season’s grand final, with Brad Scalzo, Jake Richardson and Joel Zietsman running hot. Alexandra forward Ted Watkin booted nine goals in the Rebels’ 167-point win over Yarra Junction in Division 2.