The Hanger: Local footy headlines including a WRFL Division 1 draw, Marc Holt’s 1000th goal for Cranbourne and Mulgrave’s bid to avoid EFL relegation
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WELCOME to The Hanger, your No. 1 source of the latest talking points and headlines from the weekend’s suburban footy. The 1000th goal for Cranbourne forward Marc Holt, another Eastern Football League win for Mulgrave and a Western Region Football League draw lead this week’s report.
And don’t miss … OUR FEATURE ON THE SUBURBAN FOOTY GROUNDS WE LOVE
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Holt reaches 1000-goal milestone
He was rubbed out for six weeks, earned a reprieve on appeal and then Marc Holt ended a week of controversy by kicking five goals to go past the 1000-goal milestone. Holt was sitting on 999 goals entering his side’s clash with Officer and did not disappoint a big crowd, making them wait less than 90 seconds to see him reach his milestone. He went on to kick five goals in a 77-point win, taking him to a career tally of 1004 majors.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Pascoe Vale’s season alive
Given Pascoe Vale was missing a bunch of top-line players and had suffered three defeats in succession, there was little to suggest it was capable of toppling ladder-leader Maribyrnong Park on Saturday. The Panthers’ Essendon District Football League Premier Division campaign was on the line, with director of coaching Adam Contessa conceding the club would have needed “a bit of a miracle” to make finals if it had lost. Pascoe Vale didn’t just win against the odds, it hammered the Lions by 71 points. While the Panthers remain in sixth position, they face the four teams below them — Avondale Heights, Essendon Doutta Stars, Glenroy and West Coburg — in the run home. With Ben Ross, Dean Soncin, Lachie Hansen, Patrick Veszpremi, Giles Guest and Shayne Allan among those missing, opposition sides should be wary of Pascoe Vale if it makes the top four.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Macleod’s winning streak ends at 12
West Preston-Lakeside ended Macleod’s three-month unbeaten run in Division 1, coming from nine points down to claim a 15-point victory at Dewinton Park. Returning from suspension, Ahmed Saad was instrumental with five goals, while midfielder Ozgur Uysal, Jackson Clarke and Aidan Tilley impressed in the 15.14 (104) to 13.11 (89) win. The Roosters are fourth, one game ahead of reigning premier Bundoora (sixth) after it was beaten by Heidelberg. Macleod is still clear on top of the ladder, three games ahead of Greensborough with four rounds left.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Masala breaks through
After 14 consecutive losses, VAFA Division 4 club Masala sung the team song for the first time in 2018 after a 17-point win over finals contender South Melbourne on Saturday. Masala prevailed 14.11 (95) to 11.12 (78), producing its first victory since Round 9 last year.
WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Finals contenders can’t be split
The race for Division 1 finals in the WRFL has been set for a close finish for weeks and that was emphasised when Werribee Districts and Hoppers Crossing could not be separated on Saturday. The local rivals finished tied 10.11 (71) to 9.17 (71). The Warriors had enough chances to snatch victory in the last term, booting 5.5 to 1.3, after they had trailed by 26 points at three-quarter-time. Werribee Districts are third on the ladder due to percentage, trailing Deer Park and Altona — which also have 44 points. Hoppers Crossing is two points behind those three teams in fourth, setting the scene for a blockbuster finals series.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Huge win for Peninsula’s hopes
Peninsula drew level with Old Mentonians on 16 points and gave its hopes of avoiding relegation from VAFA Premier C a huge lift with an upset one-point win over finals contender Old Geelong. The ninth-placed side held on for an 11.14 (80) to 11.13 (79) victory as Old Geelong missed out on a chance to secure its finals spot. The result means Fitzroy will finish top two alongside Williamstown CYMS. Jordan Pomeroy and William Harbinson were outstanding for Peninsula.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Highett clips Eagles’ wings
The high-flying Doveton Eagles were brought crashing back to earth in SFL Division 2, beaten 13.7 (85) to 10.14 (74) by Highett on Saturday. With ex-Melbourne high flyer Russell Robertson on fire up forward, the Eagles had only lost once in 2018 before falling at Turner Road Reserve. After trailing by 16 points at the main break, the third quarter was where Highett made its move, kicking six goals to draw within two points with a term left. Tom Brown was best afield for the victors, who are fourth after Round 15 with an 11-4 record.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Can Mulgrave avoid the drop?
Consecutive wins have given Mulgrave hope of avoiding relegation with a month left in the EFL Division 2 season. The Lions overcame Upper Ferntree Gully by five points on Saturday, backing up their four-point win over Mooroolbark to draw within two points of ninth-placed Mitcham. The bottom-two sides clash in a potential relegation decider on August 11, while Mulgrave will have Croydon in its sights this week. Adam Booth, Stephen Hatzinikolaou and Dean Siakoulis were the stars in their side’s 12.17 (89) to 11.18 (84) win over Upper FTG.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Pines hold off late Sorrento surge
Five goals from Tom McDermott helped Pines hold off a last-quarter surge from Sorrento in MPNFL Division 1. Pines held a 23-point advantage at three-quarter-time and while the Sharks battled back into the contest through four goals from Leigh Poholke and Mitch Hallahan’s efforts, the visitors held on for a 15.9 (99) to 14.12 (96) win. Sorrento is still top of the ladder, but is equal with Edithvale-Aspendale. Pines sit fourth.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Raiders no longer unbeaten
No VAFA senior side will go through 2018 unbeaten after Whitefriars handed Old Paradians their first defeat of the Division 2 campaign. Whitefriars stormed to a 31-point lead with the first five goals of the contest and held its lead throughout, dealing the Raiders an 11.15 (81) to 10.13 (73) defeat. Michael Nitas has 52 goals for the year for Whitefrairs after bagging four in the win, while Mark Richards was best afield.
SOCIAL WATCH
Redlegs win by 40!
— Mt Eliza FNC (@mtelizafc) July 28, 2018
14.16.100 to 8.12.60
Breeny 4 goals!
The Mighty Pirates get home by the closest of margins!!
— Pirates (@PiratesFooty) July 28, 2018
Hoorayyyyy up the Pirates ☠⚓☠⚓⚓⚓
Full Time@PiratesFooty 11.14.80@OldGeelong 11.13.79
Pirates by a POINT
☠⚓☠⚓☠⚓@VAFA_HQ pic.twitter.com/3oGhzVI0I4
@stbernardsfc do the business in @VAFA_HQ #woofwoof pic.twitter.com/lIoKA6VAYo
— St Bernard's FC (@stbernardsfc) July 28, 2018
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