Quick Kicks: Latest local footy goss, quirky tales

Rumours of a star trio’s return have been quashed, but one has headed bush. Plus, a bizarre home injury to a premiership gun and a coach facing an uncertain future. It’s all in Quick Kicks...

Ethan Johnstone celebrates kicking a goal for Dromana in the 2023 grand final. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Here at Quick Kicks we look at the lighter side of local footy.

Whether it be a funny exchange, a good stat or an action that’s laughed about after the game — it’s all here.

THAT WAY, A BIT MORE

Jordan Hesline was kicking goals for fun in Parkdale Vultures’ Premier C reserves win over Ajax on Saturday, finishing the afternoon with six. Our photographer Andrew Batsch got a close glimpse of Hesline who lined up for one goal outside the fence. With a gate leading to the ground, Hesline did well to keep his line as directed by the umpire. And did he kick it? You betcha, straight through the middle!

Tough angle: Jordan Hesline kicks one of his six goals from outside the gate. Picture: Andrew Batsch

DIRECTLY TO A RIVAL

One local footy club assistant coach appears to be on the move. Tom Gleeson from East Keilor has put in a clearance to EDFL Premier Division rivals Greenvale in the past week. It’s been a horror year for East Keilor, and Gleeson has not been seen in the past two games.

RUMOUR DEBUNKED

Rumours continue to rumble that Dromana premiership players Jake Aarts, Dean Waugh and Ethan Johnstone are a chance to return to the Mornington Peninsula league this season. The trio are playing elsewhere this season. “The rumour is 100 percent false,” declared a well-connected MPFNL insider.

EJ GONE BUSH

Johnstone, though, has changed clubs in recent weeks. After starting the season at Heidelberg, the mercurial left footer has joined Tooleybuc Manangatang in the Central Murray league — and he slotted four goals on the weekend.

Ethan Johnstone.

NASTY BREAK

Painful injury to former Pines, East Keilor and Eltham star Tim Bongetti, but it wasn’t from footy. Bongo broke his hip pulling down a fence at home. His old Pythons mates reckon he was too tight to pay someone.

WRITING ON THE WALL

A local coach is sensing his tenure at his club might be on borrowed time. A couple of comments from the club president has him concerned. The poor bloke wants to continue next season and he’s invested — and his club is on track for finals.

SAY CHEESE!

If you’ve visited a football ground in Melbourne’s east over the past 11 years, chances are you’ve seen EFNL photographer Davis Harrigan busily working behind the lens. On Saturday, Harrigan chalked up game No. 500 after first snapping for the league in 2014. It was only fitting his milestone match was out at Morton Park watching his beloved Blackburn, as his finger clicked more than 15,000 shots — shattering a personal-best by more than 1000.

Davis Harrigan hard at work. Picture: Daniel Cencic

HARRIGAN’S BEST

In more than a decade of bringing Eastern followers closer to the action, Harrigan says he’s seen his share of highlights, pointing to Boronia’s triple premiership feat in 2018, while Mitcham’s 2023 grand final upset of South Belgrave also rates in his top-five.

“But I reckon there’s a good 20 or 30 more!” Harrigan said, highlighting Surrey Park’s pickpocket of Donvale in last year’s Div 3 decider, South Croydon’s fairytale 2017 flag and Nunawading’s drought-breaking win in ‘19.

Here’s to another 500. Congratulations, Davis!

COACH, STAR CLASH

We hear of friction between a local coach and a star player. With the team in question headed for finals, the two had better smooth things over quick-smart.

ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Diamond Creek Junior’s Fight MND charity match on Friday night was a smashing success. The night raised more than $50,000 to research motor neurone disease. The on-field action was just as successful, with the two teams playing out a draw. A Golden Goal period of extra-time followed with Team Creekers prevailing. Dale Andrews was awarded best-on-ground and kicked the goal of the night from outside the boundary. Fight MND CEO Matt Tilley was on hand for the occassion and revealed the event was the fifth largest contributor to the cause and the fastest growing event in Australia. The night also had messages of support from the likes of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

EYE ON THE TON

The Northern league hasn’t had a home-and-away 100-goalkicker since Shane Harvey in Division 2 in 2017. However, there are two players now on target for triple figures. In Division 2, Macleod’s Darcy Barden has 41 majors through eight matches, having twice booted bags of nine. Meanwhile, Laurimar’s Patrick Fitzgerald has 43 goals in seven games in Division 3. He’s twice kicked 10 in a match.