Local footy wrap: 14-goal haul, ex-AFL men fill boots and a local great returns
A spectacular 14-goal haul lit up the Outer East, while it was raining goals for two former AFL players and a local great returned — it’s all in our local footy wrap.
Southern
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A spectacular 14-goal haul by Yarra Glen’s Josh Hawkins lit up Outer East’s Division 1, while it was raining goals for two former AFL players and a local legend returned — it’s all in Saturday’s local footy wrap.
Hawkins attacked the ball with gusto and his kicking for goal was brilliant as he lifted the River Pigs to a thumping win over Yarra Junction 25.18 (169) to 8.2 (50). Sam Wood, Caleb Surplice, Ben Ashton and Austin Smith were also named in Yarra Glen’s best players.
Yarra Glen has won three on the trot under new coach Jason De Graaf.
VICKERY BAGS SIX
Ex-Richmond and Hawthorn forward Tyrone Vickery slotted six goals as Edithvale-Aspendale overcame Mt Eliza 15.8 (98) to 11.14 (80) in Mornington Peninsula league Division 1.
In a battle of the 2024 premiership winning teams, the Eagles (who the won Division 2 flag) kicked 8.1 in the opening quarter and then withstood a challenge from the Redlegs.
Kyle Parrott kicked two goals in the term for Edi-Asp and midfielder Lewis Diggins was among the best players.
FORMER AFL BIG MAN’S HUGE OUTING
Ex-Port Adelaide ruck Sam Hayes booted 10 goals as Strathmore powered to a monster win over East Keilor in the Essendon District Football League. In his best game for the Mores, Hayes had more than enough support as Mitch Purcell (seven goals) and Amin Naim (six) also hit the scoreboard heavily.
KWAME’S BACK
He’s considered one of the greatest players of local footy since 2000. Now Kwame McHarg is back for Deer Park and making an absolute fool of opposition defenders. He booted eight goals in his return for the Lions as they overcame Essendon Doutta Stars.
INCREDIBLE KILMORE
Despite missing several key players through injury, Kilmore has pulled off an incredible come-from-behind victory over Kinglake. The Two Blues trailed by 26 points at three-quarter-time, having kicked just two goals for the match. However, they stormed home with 6.1 in the final term to snatch a heart-stopping three-point win at JJ Clancy Reserve. Marcus Lacorica was named best-on-ground in the win, while Ryan Johnson, Grant Paxton and Liam Monaghan also impressed.
TOUGH DAY FOR STEPEHNSON’S FERNTREE GULLY
It was a tough day out for Jaidyn Stephenson’s Ferntree Gully outfit in Division 3 of the Eastern league after suffering a 63-point defeat at the hands of Donvale.
The loss was Ferntree Gully’s third of the season, with Stephenson the club’s captain and a playing assistant, while the victorious Donvale continued its undefeated start to the season.
BUTTERS’ MATES DOMINATE
While it was a rough day out for Zak Butters and his Port Adelaide troops, who suffered a 90-point defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, his mates at junior club Darley fared far better with a 117-point win while playing simultaneously at CE Brown Reserve — which is situated in the same complex.
Darley trounced Lake Wendouree 23.12 (150) to 4.9 (33) on Saturday, with ex-AFL men Nick Hind and Brett Bewley among the goal-kickers with two apiece.
DINGOES PREVAIL
Dingley is the only unbeaten team left in Division 1 of the Southern league after prevailing over East Brighton in what was a battle of two 3-0 sides.
Lively forward Tom Morecroft continued his terrific goalkicking form with a second successive five-goal haul — he now was 12 majors from three outings this season.
Noted goal-kicker Nicholas Corp played his first game of the season for East Brighton and kicked one goal.
BOORT PREVAILS OVER PREMIERS
For the second straight week Sea Lake Nandaly has lost in the North Central league, losing to Boort by eight points.
Ex-VFL player Jhye Baddeley Kelly kicked four goals for the Magpies as Boort remained unbeaten at the top.
ROOS BREAK THROUGH
Officer opened its winning account in Outer East Premier Division, edging Mt Evelyn 10.4 (64) to 7.12 (54). Mark Seedsman kicked four goals while Jake Gains and Lachie Ward booted two apiece as the Roos led narrowly at every break. Officer’s new coach
Nathan Allen was named best afield.
EAGLES END HAWKS’ RUN
Beaconsfield has handed Boronia its first loss since Round 6, 2024 with a 9.9 (63) to 4.6 (30) victory at Holm Park Reserve in Eastern’s Division 1.
The Eagles led at all changes, including 13 at half-time before extending the margin to 31 at the final change.
Former AFL Tiger Jake Aarts finished with two goals for Beaconsfield alongside Jake Bowd and Kade De La Rue, while Ethan Harris (Beaconsfield) and Josh Hannon (Boronia) were awarded best-afield medals in the match played in honour of the Pat Cronin Foundation.
JEDWAB FIRES REDBACKS
A four-goal haul from captain Jack Jedwab and man-of-the-match performance from young gun Sam Wilson has delivered Romsey it’s first major scalp of the RDFNL season. The Redbacks were too good for Macedon at Romsey Park, claiming a dominant 40-point victory. The Redbacks defence was impenetrable, conceding just one goal in the first half. In support of Wilson and Jedwab, coach Nathan Blair, Ash Millane and Kyle Brennan also stood tall.
SOUTH YARRA SNAP WINLESS DROUGHT
A winless drought was bound to tumble when South Yarra met the Narre South Saints in Division 4 of the Southern league given neither side had tasted victory in over a season.
South Yarra prevailed emphatically to run away with an 81-point win.
TIGHT AT THE TOP
Rowville, Blackburn and East Ringwood remain unbeaten in Eastern’s Premier Division.
Rowville (first on the ladder) defeated Vermont by 49 points following a nine-goal-to-three opening quarter, while Blackburn (third) skipped away from Noble Park with an eight-goal-to-two second half to win by 50 points. East Ringwood (second) banked a 20-point win over Berwick.
JOHNSON HAUNTS OLD MOB
Former Robinvale Euston forward Isaiah Johnson has come back to haunt his club with Red Cliffs beating the Eagles by five points to end their unbeaten start to the season.
He kicked two final quarter goals in the 9.11.(65) to 7.18.(60) win for the Tigers.
The Tigers came back from 18 points down at three quarter time to win their third game of the season.
ORMOND’S PREMIERSHIP STATEMENT
Ormond proved why it’s one of the favourites for the VAFA Division 1 flag with an enthralling 12-point win over Old Peninsula. The Monders were well led by Ethan Hanley in his first game for the season with five goals.
PIONEERS BOLT HOME, BLOODS BREAK DUCK
The Whitehorse Pioneers overturned an 11-point three-quarter time deficit to snatch a 9.10 (64) to 8.12 (60) nail-biter over Chirnside Park in Eastern’s Division 4. Adam Ewart, Matt McCormack and Patrick Carroll were among the best for the Pioneers, while Sam Carroll finished with two goals. Meanwhile, Warrandyte has broken through for its first win of the season, defeating Forest Hill 19.12 (126) to 9.12 (66).
DISTRICTS THE TEAM TO BEAT
Werribee Districts proved why it will take some stopping in the Western Division 1 competition with a 15-point win over Caroline Springs. Callan Gilboy and Harrison White were nuisances up forward with three goals each.
TONNERS WIN A TIGHT ONE
In a finals like game, Old Brighton overcame St Kevin’s by seven points in a huge VAFA clash. Sam Flockart was best afield while James Hope and debutant Zach Travers kicked two each.
CATS OVERRUN LIONS
Silvan has come from behind to pinch a five-point victory over Fairpark in Eastern’s Division 3. The Lions led by 22 points at the half before the Cats tightened the screws in the third to cut the deficit to just 13 at the final change, before a five-goal last term.
FIRST QUARTER BLITZ
Springvale Districts downed the unbeaten St Paul’s McKinnon by 36 points off the back of a shock opening term blitz that saw the Demons leading 9.2 (56) to 0.1 (1) at the first break.
The results was Springvale Districts first win of the season
Cranbourne is now the only winless side left in the Southern league’s Division 1 following first wins of the season.
Meanwhile, Murrumbeena trumped Cranbourne by 15 points as new recruit Edward Standish announced himself to Southern with a six-goal haul.
It was also Murrumbeena’s first win of the year, with Cranbourne now the only winless side remaining.
MOE’S PREMIERSHIP WARNING
Moe has sent a premiership statement in the Gippsland league, beating last year’s grand finalists and previously unbeaten Leongatha by 47 points away from home.
Ex-AFL players Ben Crocker, Declan Keilty, Harrison Pepper and Myles Poholke all combined for nine goals as the Lions roared past the Parrots.
The Lions win was set up with a dominant second half as Moe kicked seven goals to two to end the Parrots perfect start to the season.
SENSATIONAL SOULEIMAN
A breakout performance from Zane Souleiman has powered North Heidelberg to an impressive 13-point win over Montmorency. The Bulldogs young gun booted five goals in a best-on-ground performance at Shelley Park. North withstood a late Magpies fightback to hold on and leapfrog them into fourth on the NFNL Division 1 ladder.
THE UNBEATEN TRIO
There is a log-jam at the top of the Goulburn Valley league with three sides all unbeaten after five rounds of the season.
Echuca, Shepparton Swans and Kyabram all won on Saturday to be 5-0 to start the year.
The Shepparton Swans kept their unbeaten run alive with a hard-fought nine-point win over Rochester with Kyabram winning a high-scoring contest against Mansfield.
The Bombers won by 20 points, 19.7.(121) to 15.11.(101).
The game of the round saw Echuca, despite having an injury crisis, beat Shepparton Bears in a replay of last year’s grand final.
Echuca won 15.19.(109) to 11.10.(76) with Hugh Byrne kicking four goals.
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