Local footy wrap: Kouta steers Ballarat to interleague victory

Cult heroes steered teams to victory, sides proved their premiership credentials and vital wins were celebrated...it’s all contained in our local footy wrap.

Hampden coach Jonathan Brown Picture: Chris Eastman

A second term storm from Ballarat has set up an emphatic interleague win over Hampden.

The match, played at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium, was the first interleague encounter since 2019.

The hosts kicked five goals to one in the second quarter to set up the 13.13 (91) to 11.9 (75) victory.

Ballarat’s Izaac Grant’s big mark and goal late in the fourth was the sealer.

The result is AFL champion Jonathan Brown’s first defeat as coach, previously taking Hampden to three successive wins.

Carlton cult hero Anthony Koutoufides coached the triumphant Ballarat.

In the earlier under-17s match, Hampden won 9.11 (65) to 4.7 (31).

Hampden coach Jonathan Brown Picture: Chris Eastman

THE ROOS CLIMB AWAY FROM RELEGATION

It was labelled “the relegation game”.

Bonbeach (last) and Langwarrin (second last) fought it out in a classic eight-point match with even bigger repercussions.

After trailing at stages through the fourth quarter, Langwarrin kicked away with a succession of goals to win, 11.8 (68) to 8.8 (56).

The loss leaves Bonbeach six premiership points adrift of the Roos.

DOVES DOWN THE LADDER LEADERS

Doveton has ended East Brighton’s magical run in Division 2 of the Southern league, downing the ladder leaders by nine points.

The Doves, who started the season 1-3, have now won seven matches in a row.

The Vampires, coached by Nick Jewell, had previously won 10 matches in a row and were seemingly untouchable.

Doveton made the most of its chances, kicking 9.5 (59) while East Brighton kicked just six goals from its 20 shots to finish 6.14 (50).

Sam Muirhead and Jake Basa were Doveton’s best.

EX-LION MAKES VAFA DEBUT

Former Brisbane Lion Mitch Golby made his Amateur debut on Saturday by pulling on Old Melburnians’ threads.

Golby, 31, played 56 games with the Lions across 2011-2015.

He joins the VAFA club to play alongside great mate and former AFL player Jackson Paine, who played 16 senior matches with Collingwood and Brisbane.

His addition didn’t sway the result however, as Old Scotch bounced back from a shock loss last week to record a 13.13 (91) to 6.4 (40) victory.

Ex-Brisbane Lions player Mitch Golby (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

EDI-ASP MAKE A STATEMENT

Edithvale-Aspendale has sent a statement to the MPFNL Division Two contenders in the form of a crushing victory.

Edi-Asp thrashed the previously undefeated Karingal, keeping the Bulls to just two goals for the match, none of which came after quarter time.

The 15.9 (99) to 2.11 (23) win is the Eagles’ seventh of the season.

Hugo Clarke, Zack O‘Neill, Michael Meehan, Nick Carlon, Rhys Carter and Max Walker were the Eagles’ best.

Edithvale-Aspendale captain Nick Carlon. Picture: Valeriu Campan

DEES DENY TIGES

Montrose has held off a second-half Mitcham resurgence in a six-point thriller, consolidating two games clear in third spot on the Eastern league Division 1 ladder.

Down seven points at the final change, the second-placed Tigers rallied in the last term, threatening to draw the match late with several forward opportunities going begging as the Demons‘ defence held firm in the 10.6 (66) to 9.6 (60) win.

Ex-AFL Tiger Ryan Garthwaite kicked four goals for Montrose as it led by 26 points at quarter-time and 21 at the main break.

Picture : George Sal

‘ROOS EDGE DOGS

Eastern Premier Division ladder-leader East Ringwood has survived a scare from cross-town rival South Croydon for its ninth win of the season, 10.12 (72) to 10.7 (67).

Celebrating his 300th club match was South Croydon champion Dan King, widely revered as the club's greatest-ever player.

THE DOGS DOWN THE BULLS

North Heidelberg captured a terrific win by downing Bundoora, 10.10 (70) to 7.11 (53) on Saturday.

The Bulldogs have been entrenched in a battle for a finals position while the Bulls had won seven of its past 10.

BORONIA THE REAL DEAL?

Ladder-leader Boronia has brushed aside yet another top-four rival in a 12.13 (85) to 8.6 (54) victory over the Waverley Blues in the Eastern league‘s Division 2.

The Hawks pulled away in the third term with four goals to one and didn't look back after leading by 10 points at the main break.

COUGARS DEVOUR MAGPIES

Eastern league Division 4 leader Kilsyth has flexed its muscles with a 100-point drubbing of second-placed Scoresby, 21.15 (141) to 6.5 (41), sending a resounding message to its flag rivals.

The pair went goalless in the opening term before the Cougars piled on six majors to two in the second term - and didn't relent - taking a 43-point lead into the final change, before an 11-goal last term.

EAGLES SOAR INTO SECOND WITH SIZZLING FOURTH

Cranbourne has outrun a valiant Dingley to go a win clear in second position.

The Eagles led by just 16 points at the final break before a scintillating final term saw the visitors boot 10 unanswered majors.

The 17.10 (112) to 5.4 (34) loss is Dingley’s second in as many weeks after winning eight on the bounce.

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien. Picture: Valeriu Campan

BY THE BAREST OF MARGINS

Mt Evelyn has recorded an inspired turn around.

After falling to Wandin in Round 1 23.19 (157) to 9.8 (62), the Rovers have completed a grand comeback by defeating the Bulldogs on their home turf in the upset of the year.

The Bulldogs, widely regarded as Outer East premiership favourites, led by a straight kick at the final interval before Mt Evelyn stormed home.

The 8.10 (58) to 7.15 (57) win is Mt Evelyn’s first since May.

A COUGAR COMEBACK

East Keilor has shown its class with a thrilling comeback victory over fellow finals frontrunner Greenvale.

The Cougars, previously third with a 7-3 record, trailed by six points at the final break before sprinting home to finish as 12.10 (82) to 11.6 (72) winners.

Luckily for Darren Bewick’s Greenvale, Aberfeldie (sixth) won’t be leaping his side to enter the top five after Airport West (seventh) handed the Abers a 21.8 (134) to 9.7 (61) shellacking.