Northern Football League demolishes Western Region league in AFL Victoria Community Championships

THE Northern Football League produced an interleague annihilation on Saturday, thumping the Western Region league by 125 points.

NFL players Ned McKeown and Justin White celebrate a goal. Picture: Mark Wilson.

THE Northern Football League produced an interleague annihilation at Preston City Oval on Saturday, thumping the Western Region league by 125 points.

The NFL was far superior in the fifth against sixth match of the AFL Victoria Community Championships, romping to an emphatic 24.17 (161) to 5.6 (36) victory.

“A lot of the boys have played in the last two losing sides, so they were pretty keen to get a win on the board,” coach Garry Ramsay said.

The writing was on the wall for the WRFL midway through the second term when Josh Grabowski, Lucas Hobbs and Ash Close kicked consecutive goals to put the NFL 28 points ahead.

NFL captains Matt Dennis and Jesse Donaldson with coach Garry Ramsay. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Jordan Staley answered for the WRFL before the NFL flexed its muscle, kicking four goals in the last seven minutes before halftime.

Led by on-ballers Stephen McCallum, Jordan Perry, Jesse Donaldson and Hobbs, the NFL cantered clear in the third quarter.

From the 13-minute mark of the third term to early in time-on of the final quarter, the NFL slammed on 12 unanswered goals to highlight their dominance.

“Our skill level was good, but it was a product of our hard work, our tackling and looking after each other,” Ramsay said.

“At halftime I thought we were going reasonably well and after we kicked the first couple in the third quarter I was reasonably confident.”

The successful Northern Football League team. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Banyule’s James Kroussoratis was brilliant with four second-half goals, while Northcote Park spearhead Close also bagged five majors.

The demolition propelled the NFL back into the third against fourth match in 2018, where it will meet the Mornington Peninsula Nepean league for the second time in three seasons.

Ramsay said he hoped to lead the NFL side again as it seeks redemption for last year’s defeat 30-point defeat to the MPNFL.

“I had a great time, really enjoyed it,” he said.

McCallum was awarded best afield honours after setting the tone for the resounding win.

“Early on, we said we wanted strong enthusiasm and discipline and he brought both of those,” Ramsay said.

“He tackled hard, shepherded hard and also showed some really good disposal.”

The Geelong league retained its mantle as the state’s No. 1 competition.