Sandhurst break records in big win over Maryborough in Bendigo league
A country club breaks two records in one day as a metro club pays tribute to a club great who passed during the week. Check out the talking points from Local Footy.
Local Footy
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The first weekend of local footy in May delivered plenty as glorious weather greeted footballers across the state.
For one club it was a record-breaking day while for others it was an important day to either celebrate a win or the life of a valuable member at their club.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Sharks snatch win
Sorrento playing-coach Leigh Poholke kicked the winning goal as the 4-1 Sharks downed Mt Eliza by two points, 15.5 (95) to 13.15 (93), in MPFNL Division 1.
In the best game of the season so far, Sorrento surged five goals ahead in the third quarter before Mt Eliza mounted a rousing comeback to hit the front courtesy of a goal by Tom Small late in the match.
But the Sharks came again and Poholke outmanoeuvred his opponent to take a chest mark and slot the winner – his fourth goal of the afternoon – with 40 seconds to go.
James Brigden, Nick Jamieson and ex-AFL players Myles Poholke and Dylan Clarke were among Sorrento’s best players.
Centrals honour club great with win
There was some joy for Point Cook Centrals after a tough week for the Western league Division 1 club.
Long time committee member, volunteer and coach Jeff Butcher lost his life last week after a four and a half year battle with Melanoma. In tribute the team played in his honour against Point Cook on Saturday, wearing black armbands, and celebrating a 17-point win over their rivals.
In a close contest all afternoon, just three points separated both teams at the half time and three-quarter-time break before Point Cook Centrals kicked away in the final term.
It was their second win of the season.
Meanwhile, Yarraville ruined the 300 game celebrations of Hoppers Crossing stalwart David Barbieri, recording a 48-point win, 14.18. (102) to 7.12. (54).
The Eagles kicked 11 goals in the second half to secure it’s second win of the season and put Hoppers Crossing at the bottom of the ladder, with no wins from their first four games.
Record score and win for Sandhurst
Maryborough’s week has gone from bad to worse after suffering the biggest ever loss in the Bendigo league.
Sandhurst, last year’s minor premiers, defeated the Magpies by 333 points, 32 more than the previous record of 301.
The score for the Dragons, 54.23. (347) also broke the record for biggest score in a Bendigo league game.
Both records beat the previous mark set in the 1990 game between South Bendigo and Kennington-Strathdale, which saw South Bendigo win by 301 after kicking 322 points in the game.
The loss compounds a tough two weeks for the Magpies.
It lost last week to Gisborne by 258-points and has also been forced to forfeit their past two reserves matches due to a lack of players through injuries and unavailability.
The team has now conceded more than 600 points in the past two weeks.
Former AFL player Fergus Greene kicked nine for Sandhurst with Lachlan Wright kicking 12.
Poor kicking costs Aberfeldie
Pascoe Vale remains unbeaten in the Essendon District league Premier Division after a 15-point win over Aberfeldie in the battle between second and third in the competition.
But on another day it could have been the reverse result with the Blues their own worst enemy in the contest.
Aberfeldie kicked 5.22. (52), missing multiple chances to put their opposition away, who kicked 10.7. (67), from 10 less shots on goal.
In the second half Aberfeldie kicked 2.13 in a horror day in front of goal for the side.
Former AFL player and co-coach Ben Ronke kicked two goals for the Blues with Aaron Hilton, Ali Saad and Matthew Watson kicking two goals each for Pascoe Vale.
Eagles avoid horror start with inspiring win
Vermont has edged Noble Park for its first win of the Eastern Premier Division season.
The Eagles, who finished minor premier last year before a grand final berth, avoided a dreaded 0-4 start to its campaign on Saturday in the 9.11 (65) to 9.9 (63) result.
Trailing by 12 points midway through the final term, Vermont hit the front with 22 minutes expired – courtesy of a Tyson Calder behind. Noble Park threatened to pinch the victory late with multiple forward-50 entries but the Vermont defence held strong amid the pressure. Meanwhile, Balwyn handed Rowville its first loss of the Premier Division season with a 17.6 (108) to 8.14 (62) victory.
Nathan Oakes starred with five goals for Balwyn. Rowville’s winning streak was at 11 before the contest.
Tigers regain roar
Yea has celebrated its first win after a returning this year from a season in recess.
The Tigers kicked 22 goals to romp away with a 78-point win over Yarra Glen in Outer East league’s Division 1.
Premiership statement made by Old Carey
Old Carey continues to be a team to beat in the VAFA Premier C competition, easily accounting for PEGS by 92-points at home.
In a first-half onslaught the Panthers kicked 11 goals to one to pretty much end the contest between the two sides.
Former Essendon District player Trent Warren kicked five goals for Old Carey.
The team now sits in fourth on the ladder with three wins and a loss for the season.
Echuca beaten by Rochester
Rochester has claimed bragging right over it’s arch rivals, ending Echuca’s unbeaten run in the Goulburn Valley league with a 13-point win at home, 11.9. (75) to 9.8. (62).
Celebrating it’s 150 year anniversary this year, the Tigers stunned their bitter rivals, leading from start to finish to celebrate one of their best wins in years.
Echuca might have been without former AFL player Sam Reid and Andrew Walker and a couple of others but Rochester impressed to win their third game of the season.
It was their first win against Echuca since the first game of the 2022 season.
Echuca had won their past 14, which helped the team to win last year’s premiership.
Rosella’s the team to beat
In Southern league Division 1, Cheltenham punished St Paul’s McKinnon in the battle of the undefeated teams.
The Rosellas kicked five unanswered goals in the second quarter to open up the match.
Former Saint Jack Lonie continued his sublime form with four goals in his sides crushing 14-goal win, 19.11 (125) to 6.6 (42).
VFL-listed Frankston Dolphin Ollie Moran also kicked two majors.
Variety is spice of life for Bears
Banyule had nine different single goalkickers as it scored arguably its biggest win in NFNL Division 1, knocking off Montmorency by 15 points at Beverley Road.
The Bears’ held the fancied Magpies scoreless in the final quarter to claim a 9.5 (59) to 6.8 (44) victory.
Kye Yodgee was named best-on-ground in the win and was one of the goalkickers, together with Kurt Aylett, Aydin Dani, Lewin Davis, Lachlan King, Jack Langford, Daniel Owen, Jack Sammartino and Oscar White.
Tonners stay on top
Seven goals to William Lewis has helped Old Brighton to stay unbeaten in the VAFA Premier Division with a 47-point win over Fitzroy.
In the top versus bottom clash, Old Brighton were never threatened throughout the day but the Lions did remain competitive throughout the contest, winning the last term.
Old Brighton won 16.12. (108) to 9.7. (61).
Fitzroy was promoted last year to the top division but have been unable to secure a win this season in four matches.
Roos, Buds, open accounts
Langwarrin and Rosebud both recorded their first wins of the season in MPFNL Division 1.
Langy stormed home to beat Mornington, kicking five goals to one in the last quarter, to win by 22 points, 10.8 (68) to 6.10 (48).
Rosebud led throughout to upset Pines, 12.12 (84) to 9.8 (62).
Tigers run comes to an end
Sea Lake Nandaly has been beaten for the first time since 2022 in the North Central league, losing to Birchip Watchem by 13-points, 15.6. (96) to 12.11. (83).
Unbeaten in the past 20 matches, which culminated in last year’s premiership in a perfect season, Saturday’s clash was seen as a game where the streak could come to an end with the Tigers suffering 11 injuries to their senior squad.
It forced the team to make a raft of changes, which saw the team fell short of a win against a strong outfit in the Bulls.
In a close contest all game, the Bulls got on top in the last quarter with Ben Edwards kicking five goals and former VFL player Nicholas Rippon kicking three.
Eagles in a thriller
Edithvale-Aspendale has held on to beat Devon Meadows by a point, 11.13 (79) to 11.22 (78), in MPFNL Division 2.
Tyrone Vickery kicked a goal for the winners while the brilliant Kurt Lo Po ran hot again and Lewis Diggins and Kris Pendlebury were also among the Eagles’ best.
For Devon Meadows, Joel Hillis kicked five goals and ex-AFL man Dean Kent was super.
Harcourt survives major scare
The second longest streak in Victorian football was almost ended on Saturday as Harcourt were forced to storm home in the final quarter to beat Trentham to maintain their unbeaten run in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league.
The Lions, down at every change, were behind by 27 points at three quarter time away from home as the Saints looked likely to end their 29-game winning streak.
But Harcourt had other ideas, kicking four goals and nine behinds in the final term, to steal a two-point win, 10.16. (76) to 10.14. (74). Harcourt’s Baxter Gurd kicked three goals as the Lions won their 30th straight match in the competition.
Lions rule the den
Murrumbeena has cemented itself as the Southern league Division 2 favourite after dismantling fellow contender Doveton.
It was second plays fourth going in but many expect the Lions and Doves to be their on the final day of the season.
The Lions rattled home six goals in the first and second terms to set up the 17.16 (118) to 15.10 (100) win.
Michael Kinsella’s men are now just one of two undefeated teams in the competition.
Keysborough, meanwhile, recorded its first win of the season over Skye.
The result opens up a gap between the Burras and Bombers, who sit in relegation contention at the early stage of the season.
Bloods secure first win back in Picola league
For the first time in almost two years, Tocumwal is back in the winners circle in the Picola District league.
This year the team returned to the competition after leaving the league at the end of 2022 to play in the Murray league in 2023. Tocumwal on Saturday beat Blighty by 71 points, 17.14. (116) to 6.9. (45) to secure their first win in the competition this year, in its fifth match.
Andrew Dickins kicked five goals for the Bloods, which saw them end a 14-game winless streak, stretching back to last year in the Murray league.
Rovers stay unbeaten
The Wangaratta Rovers remain one of two unbeaten sides in the Ovens and Murray league but had to fight hard to beat a determined Lavington outfit. The Rovers moved to 5-0 with a three-point win over the Panthers away from home.
Down at times in the final term, the Rovers stood tall, kicking 2.4, to win 12.8. (80) to 11.11. (77).
Shane Gaston had his best game for the club with six goals as former AFL player Lochie O’Brien kicked a goal in the victory.
Boronia’s premiership statement
Eastern Division 2 reigning premier Boronia sent an ominous warning to its flag rivals in Saturday’s first versus second clash.
The Hawks remain unbeaten, handing the Waverley Blues their first loss of the season with a 15.14 (104) to 8.9 (57) victory.
Boronia’s Mitch Jelo finished with five goals.
Thunder taken down by Rats
Four goals to former Carlton player Tom Williamson has seen Ararat beat the Southern Mallee Thunder by 15 points in the grand final replay in the Wimmera league.
The Rats led from start to finish, and were able to repel every attack from the opposition in the second half to win by almost the same margin as half time.
For the Thunder it is their first loss in the Wimmera league with the side a merged entity after Southern Mallee Giants and Jeparit Rainbow amalgamated last season.
Hoers hold on
Ivanhoe has stunned NFNL Division 3 grand finalist Mernda, claiming a five-point victory at Ivanhoe Park.
It continues a string of surprise results, highlighting the competition’s unpredictability this season.
Leading by 17 points at three-quarter-time, the Hoers held firm against a Demons onslaught to emerge victorious 11.4 (70) to 9.11 (65). Flynn Bergman was named best afield in the win, while Ben Cococcia booted four goals. Ash Close kicked two.
Diggers do it again
Diggers Rest has again claimed bragging rights, defeating Woodend-Hesket in the RDFNL grand final rematch at Bloomdale Oval. Trailing by seven points at quarter-time, the Burras then took complete control of the game, holding the Hawks to just 2.4 for the rest of the match. In his second game, Brodie Meyers led the attack with five goals in the 13.10 (88) to 5.7 (37) victory.
Campbell Wearne was named best on.
‘Brand’ can keep Bundoora clear of drop
Two wins in three weeks over NFNL Division 1 premiership fancies has Bundoora coach Heath Scotland confident his team’s best football will keep it in the top flight.
Finals shapers: The key players in VAFA Division 1 flag race
The race for Division 1 finals in the VAFA is set to heat up when teams return to action this weekend. These are the players set to shape their club’s hopes.