Outer East FN: Aaron Mullett fires off nine goals for Wandin
The first blockbuster of the OEFN Premier Division season has come quickly, with Wandin and Woori Yallock set to lock horns — and an old fashioned goal shoot-out is on the cards.
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The first blockbuster of the Outer East Premier Division season has come quickly.
Wandin and Woori Yallock — dynamic opening round winners — meet in Rd 2 this Saturday.
Between them, the Bulldogs and Tigers fired off 50 goals in an explosive start to their 2025 campaigns last weekend.
And their spearheads ran hot — Wandin’s Aaron Mullett kicked nine goals and Woori’s Taylor Gibson drilled 11.1.
It sets the scene for a must-see showdown at Wandin’s Clegg Rd oval this week, with the winner to be early flag favourites.
Wandin coach Nick Adam is expecting a fierce contest.
“I think there’s a level of respect that’s been built between the two clubs,” he said.
“Wandin versus Woori, there’s always some angst but that’s just the reality of local footy and the fact that local people are really passionate about what happens on a Saturday afternoon.
“But there’s a really healthy level of respect from the playing group.
“We expect them to come at us hard this weekend.”
Woori Yallock’s League medal winner Zach Monkhorst returns to the Tigers side for the big clash after missing the opening game due to a wedding.
With a bye in the VFL, Wandin will have Joel Garner (Richmond VFL) for a second straight week.
Woori Yallock doesn’t have any VFL listed players.
“No,” Woori Yallock coach Brendan Donovan said. “Just 22 one pointers.”
Wandin was razor sharp as it thrashed Mt Evelyn, 27.13 (175) to 4.10 (34), on Sunday, with former AFL Blue and Kanga Mullett receiving silver service delivery from co-captain Cody Hirst.
Garner was also brilliant, slotting four goals.
Wandin led 90-17 at halftime, and then kicked nine goals in the third quarter.
“We had four guys debut for the club and they were all impactful in different areas of the ground,’’ Adam said.
First-year U18 Josh Vennix made his senior debut and booted a goal, standing out not only because of his shock of blond hair but also his intensity at the footy.
“He’s tough and physically he’s ready,’’ Adam said of Vennix.
“Attitude and the the intensity to play senior footy — with Josh that’s probably one of his greatest strengths. He’ll hold his spot for next week.’’
Echuca recruit Daniel Willis, former Montrose ruckman Ben Johnson and ex-South Belgrave gun Cayden Black also pulled on the Wandin jumper for the first time — all impressing.
“Our pressure was everything we needed it to be,’’ Adam said.
“The attitude that we bought to the game I couldn’t be more pleased.’’
Adam said Mullett was on fire up forward, helped by clean delivery.
“We’d taken 16 or 17 marks inside fifty by halftime,’’ he said.
“We talk about shoulders-out entry and the ability to be able to get clean entry and dictate our entry points, and I feel that if we’re getting that our forwards are going to be getting good looks and he got on the end of a few.’’
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