Local footy wrap: Noble Park champion Kyle Martin returns amid bumper weekend of upsets

One of local footy’s most decorated players made a long-awaited return on Saturday, while there were plenty of topsy-turvy results. All and more in our local footy wrap.

Noble Park’s Kyle Martin played his first match since the 2022 EFNL Premier Division grand final on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Saturday hailed the return of one of local footy’s most decorated stars, while there were plenty of topsy-turvy results around the leagues.

All the major talking points in our Saturday night wrap ...

LOCAL CHAMP RETURNS

Kyle Martin had been absent for 12 months with injury, but it was as if he had never been out of football.

One of the suburban game’s greatest players returned on Saturday for Noble Park against Norwood in an Eastern Premier Division clash – and had the first disposal of the match. On restricted minutes he was an ever-present threat, collecting more than 20 possessions to be named in his team’s best.

But the limelight settled on teammate Bailey Lambert, who, in a dazzling performance, kicked the first eight goals for Noble Park.

He remained Noble’s sole goalkicker until the last quarter as the Bulls made a run at Norwood.

Lambert, the son of former AFL star Craig, is on Carlton’s VFL list and formerly played in the state league for Richmond and Frankston. But even the return of Martin and the heroics of Lambert weren’t enough for the visitors as Norwood caused a boilover of scalding proportions, winning by two points in what had been a struggling season.

The 11.8 (74) to 10.12 (72) result marks Norwood’s first win this year – and its maiden victory under coach Brett Moyle.

Box Hill Hawks-listed Josh Tovey was among the best for Norwood alongside Port Melbourne VFL talent and former St Kilda man Tom Highmore, who took a series of intercept marks.

KEILOR’S BIG STATEMENT

Mick McGuane’s Keilor has flexed its muscles in the Essendon District Premier Division top-of-the-table clash, demolishing the Leigh Tudor-coached Pascoe Vale, 22.14 (146) to 1.7 (13).

Keilor raced to a 55-point half-time lead, courtesy of an eight-goal-to-none second quarter blitz – keeping the hosts goalless after the first change.

Cody Brand led Keilor’s attack with three majors amid 13 individual goalkickers, while Nathan Colenso, Corey Ellis, Bradley Xavier, Riley Ham and Harvey Wilkes finished among the best.

Nathan Colenso finished Keilor’s best on Saturday. Photo by Josh Chadwick

ALBURY PIPS PREMIERS

Albury has edged reigning Ovens and Murray premier Yarrawonga by a point in the grand final rematch, 6.11 (47) to 6.10 (46).

The Tigers’ victory ends Yarrawonga’s 17-game winning streak.

Rhys King finished with two goals for Albury while Bailey Frauenfelder (three goals) and Leigh Williams (two) featured for Yarrawonga.

CATS LICK TIGERS

Macedon has sprung one of the upsets of the Riddell District season, taking down Kyneton by 15 points at Kyneton Showgrounds. The Cats were in full control all game as the Tigers wasted a glut of opportunities in the first half, kicking 1.8. Kyneton found their range after half-time, kicking 4.1, but it was too late as Macedon notched a 8.6 (54) to 5.9 (39) victory. Matthew Dick and skipper Jason Cooke (three goals) impressing.

BULLS ON THE BOARD

Bundoora claimed its first win of the NFNL Division 2 season with a 37-point triumph over West Preston-Lakeside. Former Coburg VFL captain Peter McEvoy had a field day with six goals, while Tigers teammate Nelson Lane was prolific in a best-on-ground performance. Last year’s grand finalist has endured a tough start to the season but gave coach Heath Scotland his first win 12.9 (81) to 5.14 (44) at Moore Park.

SHARK ATTACK

Park Orchards has denied a gallant Bayswater a rousing upset in Eastern’s Division 1, holding off the visitors 14.9 (93) to 11.8 (74) at Domeney Reserve. The victory keeps the Sharks’ unbeaten record intact, lifting their season to 7-0.

Park Orchards led by just two points at the half and one at the final change, before kicking away to a 14-point advantage early in the last term. The Waters drew within two points with 12 minutes expired in the final quarter – but the ladder-leading Sharks found an extra gear to claim another scalp.

Jacob Price-Inglis and Michael Prosenak finished with three goals apiece for Park Orchards.

SOUTHERN UPSET, DRAW

Carrum Patterson Lakes has reaffirmed its premiership credentials with a comprehensive win over the previously-undefeated South Mornington.

After winning the Southern league Division 4 flag, the Tigers had made a 5-0 start to Division 3.

After an even first quarter, the Lions kicked 11 of the next 13 goals to run out 13.16 (91) to 4.7 (31) victors

In the top flight, East Brighton and Cranbourne fought out a thrilling draw.

The Vampires led the Eagles by 18 points at the final change but conceded five goals to two in the last.

Both sides finished 13.5 (83) apiece.

The win pushes East Brighton two points clear of Port Melbourne Colts in sixth.

MUSTANGS DISH UPSET

Mooroolbark has produced an almighty boilover in Eastern’s Division 1, defeating heavyweight Montrose, 8.10 (58) to 5.8 (38). It’s Montrose’s third loss in four weeks after starting the season 3-0. Meanwhile, the result marks Mooroolbark’s third win in four weeks after beginning its campaign winless from three starts.

TREMENDOUS TIGERS

Dromana has reaffirmed its status as premiership favourite with a 61-point win over rival Frankston YCW, 17.13 (115) to 7.12 (54), in the Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 1.

The Tigers improved their record to 6-1. Elsewhere, Mornington and Sorrento had a draw, 101-points apiece. And youngster Ziggy Toledo slotted four goals to fire Mt Eliza to a 23-point win over Red Hill, 12.19 (91) to 11.2 (68).

BALWYN UNBEATEN

Balwyn has romped to its sixth-straight win of the Eastern Premier Division season to keep its unbeaten record intact, defeating 2023 preliminary finalist Doncaster East 14.12 (96) to 7.18 (60).

The hosts kicked away to a 26-point half-time lead before increasing the deficit to 48 at the final change.

The result consigns Doncaster East to a 2-4 record – with reigning premier Rowville to come next weekend.

MAGPIES JUST

Crib Point improved its record to 5-2 with a gripping one-point win over Somerville in MPFNL Division 2.

The Magpies surged home after trailing at the first three changes, with Liam Tyrrell (four goals), Jett Bauer, Miles Shepherd and Josh Le Grice playing pivotal roles in the 12.12 (84) to 12.11 (83) result.

BOMBERS AWAY

Emerald dug deep in a tense final quarter to open its account in Outer East league’s Premier Division with a three-point win over third-placed Upwey Tecoma, 11.5 (71) to 10.8 (68).

Jared Derksen’s five goals were vital as the Bombers registered their first win since last season’s Division 1 grand final. Steven Kapahnke, Ewan Wadsworth and Sam Cannon were in everything for Emerald.

HAWKS BOUNCE BACK

It lost its first match in close to a year last weekend.

But reigning Eastern Division 2 premier Boronia has responded in resounding fashion, putting Heathmont to the sword by 71 points in the grand final rematch.

The Hawks held the Jets goalless for three quarters in the 14.8 (92) to 2.9 (21) rout.

The season has held differing fortunes for last year’s grand finalists, with Boronia on top of the ladder while Heathmont has slumped to a 1-6 record.