Local footy wrap: Upsets, statements, routs galore across metro and country footy
Some sent resounding messages to their premiership rivals, others pulled off the unlikeliest of victories, while one team shot past 30 goals. It’s all here in our Saturday night wrap.
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Some sent resounding messages to their premiership rivals, others pulled off the unlikeliest of victories, while one team shot past 30 goals. It’s all here in our Saturday night wrap ...
AFL STAR’S BROTHER SHINES
GWS Giants star Toby Greene’s younger brother Ed slotted four goals in a best afield display to fire Rye to a rousing 16-point win over Somerville in Mornington Peninsula Division 2.
In a seesawing encounter, the Demons kicked five goals to one after halftime to win 12.6 (78) to 8.14 62). Brady Egan kicked four goals for the winners and Billy Swayn, Justin Barnes and Peter Hampton also had a big say in the win.
KEILOR THRIVES IN GRAND FINAL REMATCH
Keilor claimed the EDFL Premier Division grand final rematch in convincing fashion on the back of a dominant first half where it established a 43-point lead. Mick McGuane’s side remains unbeaten to this point of the season.
WESTERN ROUT
A 10-goal opening quarter set Wyndhamvale on course for an almighty thrashing of Tarneit in the Western league’s Division 2. The Falcons’ 31.27 (213) to 1.0 (6) victory came in unrelenting fashion, piling on a further eight goals apiece in the second and third terms. By half-time, the victors had 18.12 (120) on the board – and by three-quarter time, 26.21 (177). The result lifts Wyndhamvale – unbeaten from six starts – a game clear on top of the ladder with a whopping percentage of 304, while Tarneit remains winless at the foot of the table.
BURNERS CLIP HAWKS
Blackburn has handed Rowville its first defeat of the EFNL Premier Division season, prevailing 12.10 (82) to 8.7 (55) at Seebeck Oval. Trailing by 11 points at the half, the Burners piled on six goals to one in the third term to steal a 20-point buffer at the final change.
Blackburn, which boasts a 5-0 record, joins East Ringwood as the only unbeaten teams this season, with the Roos accounting for Noble Park by 61 points.
MONBULK TAMES TIGERS
Monbulk caused the upset of the season in the Outer East league’s Premier Division, knocking off previously undefeated Woori Yallock by seven points.
The Hawks began strongly to lead by 15 points at half time but the Tigers fought back to only trail by a kick at the final change.
Both sides kicked a goal in a see-sawing last term, but Monbulk’s determination gave it a 8.7 (55) to 7.6 (47) win.
Ryan Burleigh kicked two goals for Monbulk, which improves its record to 3-3, while Zach Monkhorst slotted three for Woori Yallock.
UNI BLACKS PUT DENT IN FLAG DEFENCE
Old Scotch’s premiership defence in the VAFA Premier Men’s competition is at a crossroads. The Cardinals went down to five points against University Blacks as James Clark, Max Gray, Matt Grocott and skipper Campbell Moorfield kicked two goals apiece. Both sides now have 2-4 records after a third of the season.
WEST CLAIMS BRAGGING RIGHTS
The Western league has defeated Southern in an interleague thriller, 10.16 (76) to 9.8 (62) at Avalon Airport Oval. Best afield was Parkside star Tom Condon with four goals - including the sealer amid a Southern league final-quarter fightback.
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TIGERS UNBEATEN
Heidelberg remains unbeaten in the Northern league’s top division after accounting for Greensborough, 12.9 (81) to 4.8 (32). Tigers ruckman Sam Gilmore was best afield, while Zane Barzen fired off six goals as his side moved to 6-0.
REDLEGS REGAIN ROAR
Mt Eliza put its season back on track with an impressive 34 point win over Langwarrin in Mornington Peninsula Division 1.
The reigning premiers, after just one win in the first five matches, looked sharp as they outscored Langy three goals to one in the second quarter to set up the victory, 13.13 (91) to 8.9 (57). Tom Freeman kicked five goals for Mt Eliza, which counted Mitch Smith as its best player.
LIONS, CATS’ BIG EASTERN UPSETS
Fairpark has pulled off an almighty boilover to snare its first win of the EFNL Division 3 season, edging 2024 finalist Knox, 8.8 (56) to 7.13 (55) at Knox Gardens Reserve. Trailing by 21 points at the main break, Fairpark closed the gap to just five points by the final change before edging ahead in the last – while keeping Knox goalless in the second half. Ryan Smith led the charge for the Lions with three majors, while skipper Mitch Neid finished with two.
Meanwhile, Silvan upset EFNL Division 3 ladder-leader Donvale by a point, 13.13 (91) to 14.6 (90). Cats’ captain Matthew Low was the hero with four goals, while Cameron Blease booted two.
VERMONT … JUST!
Vermont has denied Berwick its first victory of the season in heart-stopping fashion, holding on by a point in a low-scoring arm-wrestle, 4.15 (39) to 5.8 (38). Berwick, which led narrowly at the half and final change, hit the front again with eight minutes expired in the last term before the hosts scrapped their way to victory, kicking 1.5 for the remainder of the game. The victory lifts Vermont to a 3-2 record for fifth spot, while Berwick remains winless alongside South Croydon at the foot of the table.
OLD MELBURNIANS MAKE STATEMENT
Old Melburnians underlined its Premier B premiership credentials with a 29-point win over Old Camberwell in the VAFA. Adam Richardson was the point of difference up forward with five goals.
WESTMEADOWS ON TRACK
Westmeadows picked up a vital win in EDFL Division 2 after prevailing by 24 points over Sunbury Kangaroos. The Tigers, who many have tipped for the flag, have dropped games in recent weeks but were led by the likes of Aaron Evans.
DOCKERS SINK SURREY
Templestowe has moved a game clear on top after outlasting Surrey Park in an Eastern Division 2 top-of-the-table clash, 8.3 (51) to 4.8 (32). Just a point separated the pair at the half before the visiting Dockers kicked 13 clear by the final change. Andrew Fasanella and Alex Brown kicked two goals apiece in the match played in slippery conditions.
KANGAROOS IN STYLE
Melton’s unbeaten run in the Ballarat league is over after East Point beat the Bloods at Eastern Oval by nine points.
The Kangaroos, despite some inaccuracy, held on in a tight contest to win 11.13.(79) to 10.10.(70).
The Johnston brothers, Matt and Jordan, combined for five goals as East Point fought back from a two-point half time deficit to win.
The loss ended the Bloods 19-game winning streak in the competition.
It was a celebration for East Point with the club having a past players day as well.
BEARS LOSING DROUGHT CONTINUES
Shepparton has suffered its third straight defeat in the Goulburn Valley league, losing to Seymour at home by 16 points.
The Bears, who have not lost that many games in a row for two seasons, conceded three goals to one in the first quarter and never recovered.
The win, 10.9.(69) to 7.11.(53), moves the Lions into the top six on the ladder.
Thomas Wardley kicked three goals for Seymour with Nathan Fowler adding two.
MORWELL IN FINALS HUNT
A late charge from Maffra wasn’t enough to stop Morwell winning by three points to move into the top-five and the last finals spot on the Gippsland league ladder.
The Tigers fought back from 17 points down at half time, kicking four goals to one, to win 7.8.(50) to 7.5.(47).
Morwell’s Brandon McDonald kicked three goals to be one of only two players in the game to kick multiple goals.
WANGARATTA MOVES CLEAR
Can anyone stop the Wangaratta Rovers or Wangaratta Magpies this season?
Both are one game clear of the rest of the Ovens and Murray competition after beating Yarrawonga and North Albury respectively.
The Rovers, in a grand final replay, smashed the Pigeons, winning by 51 points, 17.4.(106) to 6.9.(45).
Ex-AFL player and coach Sam Murray kicked three goals with Sam Cattapan and Nathan Cooper kicking four.
The Magpies were just as impressive with a 53-point win over the Hoppers.
Five players kicked two goals in the 16.12.(108) to 8.7.(55) victory.
The Rovers and Magpies now occupy first and second on the ladder.
CAN ANYONE STOP THE RATS?
Ararat has moved two games clear of the competition in the Wimmera league with a 52-point smashing of Southern Mallee Thunder.
In a replay of last year’s grand final, Ararat blew away the opposition in the first half, kicking nine goals to one to open up a 50-point lead.
While the Thunder responded in the second half, it wasn’t enough, as the Rats won 13.11.(89) to 5.7.(37).
Henry Shea kicked three goals for the Rats.
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