Local Footy: Sam Weideman stars on debut for Vermont
A former AFL forward had a day out in front of goal with seven majors in his first senior appearance for his local while the 2015 number two pick impressed on debut. See our local footy talking points.
Local Footy
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Local footy is back in a big way with most leagues now underway across the state.
From ex-AFL players dominating to winless streaks ending and the Shepmates having a day out, the weekend of footy had it all.
Here are the talking points from the action.
WEIDEMAN’S HUGE RETURN
Sam Weideman has made a huge return to home club Vermont after dominating in his side’s Eastern league opener. The former Melbourne and Essendon big man booted seven goals in a best on ground display as the Eagles recorded a 10-point win over Mitcham. Weideman and his teammates overturned a 19-point deficit in the final term, kicking seven goals to two to pick up the four points.
FORMER TOP-TWO AFL PICK MAKES DEBUT
Josh Schache kicked two goals in his debut for Doncaster East as the Lions won by 33 points against Berwick in the Premier Division in the Eastern league.
The former Brisbane, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs forward joined the club in the off-season after his AFL career ended.
Doncaster East got on top of Berwick in the second-half, kicking eight goals to two to win after being down by six points at the main break.
Ex-AFL player Tim O’Brien also impressed for the Lions, kicking three goals.
PYTHONS PREVAIL
A late goal and a timely mark in the backline helped Pines to a gripping three-point win over Mt Eliza in Mornington Peninsula league Division 1.
The lead changed several times in the last quarter before the Pythons prevailed 14.11 (95) to 13.14 (92) at Eric Bell Reserve.
Pines defender Guy Hendry took a great mark in the dying seconds to thwart Mt Eliza’s bid for victory.
Pines ruckman Russell Gabriel was terrific in the final quarter. It was Mt Eliza’s second loss to start its premiership defence.
TWINS IGNITE CRIB
Shepmates Miles and Archie Shepherd were instrumental in Crib Point’s tense win over Seaford in MPFNL Division 2.
Archie snapped a goal in the last minute of the game before his twin Miles, Cribby’s captain, slotted another on the siren as the Magpies snatched victory, 11.11 (77) to 7.21 (63).
GIANTS WIN FIRST GAME OF SEASON
The Geelong West Giants secured its first win of the season over Winchelsea in the Geelong District league.
A strong opening term was the difference as the Giants kicked three goals to zero to open up a 19-point lead.
Geelong West then held on to the lead all day to win by 14 points, 10.6. (66) to 7.10. (52).
Justin Carey kicked three goals for the Giants to be one of the best on ground.
BANYULE’S HOT START
After missing the finals by percentage last season the Bears have started the season in red-hot form in the Northern league.
Banyule defeated Greensborough in the Premier League by 15 points to go 2-0 and beat a finalist from last year for the second straight week.
In a close contest all day, with the margin no more than 10 points during the breaks, the Bears were able to hold on despite kicking 3.6. (24) in the last term.
The team this season is coached by ex-Sydney Swans VFL coach Damian Truslove.
SKOB SECURE KEY WIN
St Kevin’s overcame Old Xaverians in a thrilling low scoring contest. Jack Darmody kicked the go ahead goal for SKOB In the VAFA Premier Men’s clash at the 27 minute mark and in the end they held on for a 53-50 win. Darmody finished with three goals.
TOUGH STARTS CONTINUES FOR NORTH SHORE
After almost going into recess in the off-season the opening game of the season didn’t go to plan for North Shore.
North Shore lost by 264 points to Colac in the Geelong league as the Tigers ran riot.
Colac kicked 41 goals during the contest, including 23 in the second half.
North Shore could only get one goal themselves as ex-AFL players dominated for the Tigers.
Former St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross kicked a goal with former Geelong and Carlton player Darcy Lang adding five goals of his own.
While the scoreline didn’t look good for North Shore the fact the team got out onto the ground, after sending out an SOS for players only last month after failing to meet AFL Barwon guidelines, was a major win.
Meanwhile former North Melbourne player Majak Daw made his debut for Lara against St Albans.
It was a tough day for the Cats, losing by 138 points and kicking just two goals all day.
St Albans player Nic Clarke kicked six goals on debut for the Supersaints.
PANTHERS BREAK TWO DROUGHTS
The move to the Riddell District league is already paying dividends for Melton South who won for the first time in almost three years on Saturday.
The Panthers defeated Melton Centrals by 44 points for its first win in 41 matches and first since a win over Sunbury in the Ballarat league on May 7, 2022.
The team had lost its past 40 matches with 39 coming in the Ballarat league before the club made a move back to the Riddell league, losing its opening match last week.
It’s the first time since 1996 the team has won a game in the competition.
DEER PARK BOUNCE BACK
After being smacked in round 1 by Keilor, Deer Park bounced back with a comprehensive win over Greenvale. Ex-AFL defender Trent McKenzie had a much improved performance with five goals while Lachie Smart added five of his own.
REID’S RED-HOT START
East Brighton’s three-pronged attack of ex-AFL men delivered again as it handed Narre Warren it’s first Southern Division 1 defeat by 25 points at Hurlingham Park.
New recruit Ben Reid was a headache for the Magpies and slotted five goals, while Thomas Lamb also kicked three and Alex Keath – who has assumed a midfield role – chipped in with one.
That makes it 18 goals in two games from the potent trio as the Vampires remained undefeated.
Reid alone has been on fire to start his Southern career after crossing from the Wangaratta Magpies and has nine goals from the first two games.
PREMIERS FIGHT BACK
Traralgon has come back from eight points down at the final break to avoid going 0-2 in the Gippsland league with a win over Moe.
The Maroons took advantage of an inaccurate Lions team to win 12.12. (84) to 10.18. (78).
The defending premiers kicked five goals to three in the final term to prevail with Maroons captain Tye Hourigan kicking three goals.
Ex-AFL player Ben Crocker kicked four goals for the Lions.
ROOS SECOND HALF BOUNCE
Oak Park has proven its EDFL Division 1 premiership contender status with a huge come from behind win. Trailing by 34 points at halftime, the Roos were able to grind out an 11-point win over Avondale Heights. Errol McConnell was huge for the Roos with Kane O’Halloran kicking clutch goals in the last. Heights finished with one man on the bench in a difficult afternoon.
ALBURY PREVAILS IN THRILLER
Ex-AFL player and Albury captain Ryan Garthwaite starred on debut as the Tigers won over Yarrawonga in a replay of the 2023 grand final in the Ovens and Murray league.
He kicked three goals as Albury came back from an eight-point three-quarter-time margin to prevail.
Garthwaite was joined by Mat Walker who also kicked three goals for the Tigers.
Yarrawonga’s Leigh Williams kicked five goals as the Pigeons played its first game in the competition since former coach Steven Johnson left to join Newtown & Chilwell Football Club in the Geelong league.
BLUES BLITZ
Seville’s sizzling start to the Outer East Division 1 season continued when it beat Alexandra 16.11 (107) to 8.15 (63). Domenic Aloi capped a best-on-ground display with six goals and Jye and Bayley Sciortino ran rampant as the Blues went 2-0.
EARLY START IN ONE LEAGUE FOR SPECIAL DAY
Meringur and Werrimull in the Millewa league would have had the alarm clocks going to make sure the teams didn’t run late for the early start.
The first match of the new season started at 10am as the league celebrated its 100th anniversary by having all teams, in netball and football, play at Lake Cullulleraine Oval, which is the home of the Kangaroos and Magpies.
The early start didn’t deter Werrimull who won the contest by 128 points to continue the Kangaroos losing streak in the competition.
Meringur has not won in its past 20 matches.
HOERS HUGE FINAL QUARTER
Old Ivanhoe produced a dazzling eight goal final quarter to overcome Old Carey in a VAFA Premier B thriller. Rohan McKenzie was huge with four goals.
HOPPERS SHOW CLASS
In a battle between two Western league heavyweights it was Hoppers Crossing who prevailed against Brian Lake’s Caroline Springs. The Warriors are now 2-0 in the premiership defence while the Lakers fell to 0-2.
BULLDOGS MOUNT MIGHTY COMEBACK
Call them the close game specialists.
St Paul’s McKinnon have started the Southern league Division 1 season 2-0 after winning by two points for the second time in as many weeks.
The Bulldogs were stunned by Cranbourne early on their home turf and trailed by 36 points at the first break following the Eagles’ seven-goal first quarter blitz.
St Paul’s McKinnon had cut the margin to just four points by halftime and it was an even clash from then on, with Will McCartney, Sam Hilton-Joyce and Brayden O’Toole among those to kick them to victory.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Eagles who have now started to season 0-2.
ROSELLAS BOUNCE BACK
It was inevitable that the reigning premiers would respond.
After suffering a surprise 10-goal defeat at the hands of grand finalists Dingley last week, Cheltenham bounced back in style to trounce Springvale Districts by 71 points at Jack Barker Oval in the Southern league Division 1 fixture.
The Rosellas, buoyed by the inclusion of a number of VFL players, had too much pace for Springvale and cut them apart after a tight opening term.
VFL men Nicholas Burke, Austin Johnson and Ollie Moran were all potent and combined for eight goals, while former AFL Saint Jack Lonie was at his best and led the way with four majors.
Kyle Martin was a notable absentee from the somewhat undermanned Springvale.
MORRISBY FILLS HIS BOOTS
Isaac Morrisby has enjoyed a day out for East Malvern in Division 2 of Southern, booting eight goals.
The haul came against Chelsea Heights and takes Morrisby’s season tally to 12 majors after just two games.
East Malvern was too good Chelsea Heights, claiming a 46-point win to keep its strong undefeated start rolling on.
Hampton Park and Frankston Dolphins were the other Division 2 winners on Saturday, with both prevailing in convincing fashion.
EX-SANFL PLAYER’S INCREDIBLE START
Ben Edwards is kicking goals for fun in country footy.
The Birchip Watchem forward kicked 102 goals last year and is already a quarter of the way to the century this year.
He kicked 15 goals for the Bulls as the side smashed Donald by 228 points in the North Central league.
Edwards kicked 13 goals last week.
The power forward played with Port Adelaide in the SANFL in 2021.
HISTORY FOR NEWPORT
Newport claimed the first WFNL Division 1 win in its history after holding on for a thrilling five-point win. The Panthers overcame a slow start to secure the four points.
WOODEN SPOONERS KNOCK OFF PREMIERS
Last year, Koondrook Barham in the Central Murray league won one game, the final game of the season against Tyntynder.
This year the River Raiders have already doubled their wins tally from 2024 and in the process stunned last year’s premiers Nyah-Nyah West.
Koondrook Barham dominated the contest, leading by four goals at the main break before extending the margin to 36 at the final break.
Despite the Demons kicking seven of the last nine goals in the contest the Rivers Raiders held on for its best win in years.
Kyall Parker kicked three goals for the River Raiders.
SECOND LONGEST DROUGHT OVER
For the first time since 2022 Caramut has won a senior match in the Mininera league.
The Swans defeated Moyston Willaura by 32 points to end a 41-game winless streak.
It was the second longest losing streak in local footy.
The last win was against the same opposition, the Panthers, on May 28, 2022.
Swans player Luke Tebble kicked six goals in the win.
What’s behind Banyule’s red-hot start
Banyule coach Damien Truslove isn’t getting carried away after the Bears’ red-hot start to the season, saying there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
‘Bonus recruits’: How new faces have fit in at West Footscray
West Footscray has made an impressive start to 2025 and despite some injury concerns, there’s plenty of positives including two last minute recruits. See all the talking points from WFNL Division 2.