Local footy wrap: Southern league edges Riddell, Robbie Hare kicks 15 and Myrtleford ends winless run
An interleague overtime thriller, a 15-goal haul by a country forward, ex-AFL stars on fire and an Aussie tennis player’s shock appearance for an MPFNL side...it’s all in this weekend’s local footy wrap.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There was plenty of news to come out of Saturday’s round of suburban and country footy action, with thrilling wins, stunning individual performances and more.
Check it out...
TDL THE SOUTHERN STAR
Former AFL Saint and Swan Trent Dennis-Lane was best afield as the Southern league pinched a miraculous comeback victory over the Riddell District league in an interleague thriller at RESA Park, Moorabbin.
The SFNL stormed back from 33 points down at the final change to snare an overtime nail-biter, 14.15 (99) to 15.8 (98).
It was almost a carbon copy result of the 2019 clash between the leagues, which was also decided in extra-time.
Dennis-Lane put the Southern league level with 30 seconds to go.
Dareo Rogers had a chance on the paint of 50m but played on as the siren sounded. Dennis-Lane again kicked his side ahead with a clever snap.
The siren eventually sounded as Riddell was mounting its final comeback.
Dennis-Lane finished with five goals, while Lucas Walmsley was sensational. Cheltenham and Dingley stars Jacob Edwards and Caleb Lewis sustained injuries.
For the RDFNL, Rueben Rode and Tommy Alkemade were outstanding before the final quarter.
The nail-biter was a clean sweep for the Southern league, which won the under-19s, women’s matches and netball.
MASSIVE GOAL HAUL
Robbie Hare had a huge day for Allansford, kicking 15 goals in his side’s thumping 211-point win over South Rovers in the Warrnambool and District league, 32.28 (220) to 1.3 (9). Hare has hurried to 44 goals in six matches this season.
WINNING STREAK OVER
One of local football’s longest winning streaks is no more, with Croydon ending Boronia’s run of 18 consecutive victories in the Eastern league’s Division 2 on Saturday.
The Blues clawed their way back from a 25-point quarter-time deficit in the 11.3 (69) to 9.7 (61) win, rallying with four late second-term majors to close the gap to a point at the main break.
Hitting the front with 25 minutes expired in the third quarter, Croydon didn’t relent in a frenetic final term.
The result marks reigning premier Boronia’s first loss since Round 7, 2023.
Croydon captain Fraser Smith stood out in defence, while Luke Hoogstra was also among the winners’ best, with a pivotal performance in the ruck.
SHARKS SURGE HOME
Ladder-leader Park Orchards remains unbeaten in Eastern’s Division 1, overcoming second-placed Beaconsfield, 10.11 (71) to 7.11 (53).
Park Orchards jumped to a 15-point half-time advantage before Beaconsfield rallied to hit the front by two points at the final change.
The result lifts Park Orchards to a 6-0 start after relegation from Premier Division at the end of last season.
DOGS STUN PREMIERS
South Croydon has upset reigning premier Rowville in Eastern league’s top division, 11.10 (76) to 9.9 (63).
Trailing by nine points at the half and five at three-quarter time, the Bulldogs surged home to record their third win in a row from five matches under new coach Brendan Allen.
The result marks a second consecutive loss for Rowville.
STREAK OVER
Myrtleford ended its 18 game winless run in the Ovens and Murray with a 72-point win over Corowa Rutherglen, 18.10 (118) to 7.4 (46). Both sides entered the game winless in more than 10 matches but the Saints got on top after a first quarter dominance, which saw the team kick five goals to none. Lachlan Murphy-Dale kicked six goals for Myrtleford in the win.
SAM THE SHARK
Former tennis World Number 53 Sam Groth played for Sorrento’s reserves in the Mornington Peninsula league on Saturday.
Wearing No 66, he played up forward but failed to kick a goal — and did his calf — as the Sharks lost to Dromana by 24 points.
Groth, a local Liberal MP, last played football with Vermont in 2011.
POISED FOR 1000
Corbin Sutherland took his career goal tally to 997 after slotting four in Yea’s 101-point win over Powelltown, 17.25 (127) to 4.2 (26), in Outer East Division 1.
Sutherland has booted hundreds of goals for several clubs, most notably Yarram.
Former Footscray VFL captain Josh Pruden kicked five goals as Yea, back playing after a year in recess, banked its second straight win.
TERRIFIC TONER
Narre Warren 18-year-old Sam Toner fired off seven goals as the undefeated Magpies put the whip to Olinda Ferny Creek, winning 19.14 (128) to 6.9 (45). Josh West, Riley Siwes and ex-AFL Eagle Kurt Mutimer were also dominant for the winners.
TY SPARKS EAGLES
Former AFL Tiger and Hawk Tyrone Vickery booted three goals as Edithvale-Aspendale produced the comeback of the round in MPFNL Division 2, turning a quarter-time deficit of 23 points into a 26-point victory over Bonbeach. The 5-1 Eagles also found inspiration from Michael Meehan, Lewis Diggins and the brilliant Kurt Lo Po.
KY CLINGS ON
A late quarter comeback wasn’t enough for Seymour to beat Kyabram in ex-AFL player David Mundy’s first game back at his home club in 21 years. He kicked two goals for Seymour as it lost by six points to last year’s grand finalists, 13.8 (86) to 12.8 (80), in the Goulburn Valley league. Down by 29 points at three-quarter-time Seymour kicked four goals in the final term but couldn’t overcome the deficit. The difference in the contest was an explosive first term by Kyabram, which saw the Bombers kick seven goals to one to stun the Lions. Anthony Depasquale kicked five goals and Liam Ogden and Kaine Herbert starred for Kyabram.
BARNSTORMING BURRAS
In a battle of NFNL Division 2 contenders, St Mary’s charged home to steal a one-point win over South Morang at Mill Park Lakes. Trailing by 15 points at three-quarter-time, the Burras stormed home to win 9.10 (64) to 9.9 (63). John Desmond was the only multiple goalscorer for St Mary’s, while Tye Hall booted four goals for the Lions. It’s an immediate response from the Burras after a 10-goal defeat to Diamond Creek the previous week.
CARLISLE BAGS SIX
Former St Kilda and Essendon swingman Jake Carlisle booted six goals to fire Craigieburn to a 68-point win over Rupertswood in the Essendon District league. Carlisle combined well up forward with teammates John Bellino and Sam Laffan, who kicked four goals apiece for the Eagles.
POWER ON
Laurimar claimed its maiden NFNL Division 2 victory, defeating Northcote Park by just five points at Bill Lawry Oval. Much like last week, the Cougars hurried home after giving up a 38-point three-quarter-time advantage and ran out of time. The 12.7 (79) to 11.8 (74) victory is the Power’s first at the level after winning promotion for the first time in club history last year. Joel Lawson booted three goals for the victors, while Jacob Thompson kicked three for Northcote. The Cougars are now the only team in the competition without a win after losing a number of key players.
GREAT DANE
Dane Harvey fired off seven goals to inspire Fitzroy to its first win of the season in VAFA Premier. The Lions came from six points behind at the last change to win by 17 points, 14.12 (96) to 12.7 (79), over Old Melburnians. Charlie Faubel, Max Ellis, Darcy Lowrie, Anthony Johnson and Tom Holmes were also in the best for Fitzroy, while Tom Baker kicked four goals and Ned Nichols two for Old Melburnians.
POLEC ON THE BOARD
Ex-AFL player Jared Polec has the first win of his coaching career after Hoppers Crossing beat Point Cook Centrals. Mitchell Kunigiskis, the son of club premiership hero Anthony, starred with six goals.
HADFIELD BOUNCES BACK
Hadfield made it 2-2 on the season with a 14-point win over the Northern Saints. The Hawks broke the game open with seven goal to three third term.
JENKINS SLOTS NINE
Ex-AFL big man Josh Jenkins kicked nine goals for Sea Lake Nandaly as it defeated Nullawil by 28 points in a grand final replay in the North Central league. Jenkins was the difference in the contest, kicking nine of the 15 goals for the Tigers, in the win. It keep Nullawil with just one win for the season.
FIRST LOSS
Congupna’s unbeaten run in the Murray league has come to an end, losing to Finlay by nine points, 12.8 (80) to 11.5 (71). Last year’s grand finalists started the season 5-0 but suffered their first loss to the Cats, with Tom Lang kicking six goals. Congupna is still top of the ladder but is now joined by Moama who have also won five games and lost just one.
VITAL WIN
Morwell celebrated pink day in style, ending Leongatha’s run in the Gippsland league with a 13-point win. The Tigers celebrated the day to raise funds for breast cancer and rose to the occasion to beat the previously unbeaten Parrots. Boyd Bailey, Cohen Campbell and Brandon McDonald each kicked three goals for the Tigers in the win.
‘Forget Ginnivan’: The 300-gamer who is ‘ahead of his time’
‘Georgie’ Angelopoulos has seen the highs and lows of football over his 300 games. There’s been “dominant” finals performances, friendships and some big lessons.
Latest Mornington Peninsula league coaching moves
The coaching merry-go-round has begun in the Mornington Peninsula league, with several names already making calls on their futures. Keep up with all the latest moves here ...