The Hanger: Local footy headlines including Broadford’s breakthrough RDFL win, Justin Van Unen’s 11-goal haul and Knox’s first win of the EFL season
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AFL YARRA RANGES: VAN UNEN BAGS 11 FOR WANDIN
Justin Van Unen is no stranger to kicking monster goal hauls. The star forward hit double figures for the first time at Wandin on Saturday, bagging 11 goals in a 57-point victory over Belgrave. Van Unen has booted 57 goals in 13 games for the Bulldogs this year. Wandin is one of four teams on 10-4 in Division 1 after 14 rounds on an incredibly congested ladder and Van Unen hitting peak form at the back end of the year could spell trouble for its rivals.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: MERNDA AND LAURIMAR IN BATTLE
Mernda might need to pinch a win against one of the top-two sides in Northern Football League Division 3 to stop Laurimar snatching its place in the top four in the last two rounds of the home-and-away season. In their second year fielding a senior team and first under coach Justin Sherman, the Power sits one game and percentage outside the top four in fifth. But their draw opens up in the remaining rounds, taking on bottom sides Lalor and Reservoir. Flag favourite St Mary’s and second-placed Panton Hill await Mernda in a gruelling finish.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: LIONS DROP FROM FIRST TO FIFTH
The Essendon District Football League Premier Division ladder couldn’t be much closer — just ask Maribyrnong Park. The Lions were on top of the ladder two rounds ago and their top-four spot appeared relatively safe at 10-3. Fast forward two weeks and Maribyrnong Park finds itself fifth after losses to Pascoe Vale and Greenvale. Keilor (12-3), Strathmore (11-4), Greenvale (11-4) and Aberfeldie (10-4-1) hold the top-four spots, with Maribyrnong Park (10-5) and Pascoe Vale (9-6) still in the mix.
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE: NARRE WINS TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH
They entered the match one and three on the SEFL ladder but Narre Warren left little doubt about who the team to beat is in the South East Football League when it took on Cranbourne on Saturday. The Magpies are 13-1 and two games clear of Berwick on top of the ladder after they produced a dominant 12.11 (83) to 7.5 (47) home win. Ryan Quirk and Trent Cody led the way for Narre Warren as it closed in on the minor premiership.
RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: BROADFORD ENDS WINLESS RUN
After 31 consecutive losses stretching back to the 2016 finals series, Broadford finally sung the team song on Saturday after it defeated Rockbank by 25 points. The Roos had only kicked 26 goals in their past nine games before hitting double figures in a 13.14 (92) to 9.13 (67) victory. Callum Langborne booted three of those goals for the victors and had support from skipper Sean Duggan and Jake Martin to help inspire the long-awaited win. The match was also Duggan’s 200th in white and blue and his side ensured he celebrated the milestone as a winner.
WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE: EAGLES THUMP REIGNING PREMIER
It was going to take something special for Yarraville Seddon to further cement itself as the Division 2 flag favourite in the Western Region Football League. The Eagles delivered exactly that when they defeated reigning premier North Footscray by 102 points on Saturday, despite the absence of their leading goalkicker Corey Salvador, who will miss the rest of the season due to injury. In his absence, Liam Murray stepped up with six goals and he has slotted nine majors in the past two weeks.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: KNOX ON THE BOARD IN 2018
Knox picked the perfect day to claim its first win of the EFL Division 1 campaign, prevailing by 32 points against East Ringwood in front of a bumper crowd. On a day of celebration for the club, the Falcons triumphed 12.13 (85) to 7.11 (53). “We had our past players day so there was a good crowd on, the changerooms were packed after the win and the clubrooms were pumping for a bit in the evening,” coach David Madigan said.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: 10 OF THE BEST FOR CLOKE
The VAFA’s Premier divisions took a break at the weekend but Oakleigh forward Aaron Cloke produced a premier performance to take his season tally to 89 majors from 16 games in Division 1. Cloke booted 10 majors as Oakleigh eased to a 19.30 (144) to 6.6 (42) victory over Ivanhoe despite a wayward return in front of goal. Cloke has an eight-goal and nine-goal haul this year, but Saturday’s effort was the first time he has reached double figures.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: PANTON HILL DUO COMBINE FOR 22 GOALS
Panton Hill made light work of NFL Division 3 struggler Reservoir as Matthew Byron and Rhys Boyden combined for 22 goals. Byron booted 12 majors and Boyden 10 as the Redbacks romped to a 41.14 (260) to 5.3 (33) victory at Cracknell Reserve. The pair are the two leading goalkickers in the division this year, with Boyden on 53 goals and Byron 42. They will no doubt be important as Panton Hill looks to stop St Mary’s charge toward the flag come finals.
SOCIAL WATCH
And that percentage boosting win sees us leapfrog the other teams on 36 points and back into the top four.
— Canterbury Cobras (@CanterburyCobra) August 5, 2018
Swinburne next week away, then Glen Eira at home. Can it be done?…#vafad3 #finals pic.twitter.com/Nz8PLyob0h
The Stars are off to the Grand Final after a great win over a competitive Beaumaris outfit! Well done girls on a massive achievement!
— Old Scotch FC (@OSFC) August 4, 2018
Stars. OS 34 d BEA 16
U19 1. CAU 102 d OS 33
U19 2. OS 55 d STB 50
U19 3. WHI 210 d OS 38#upthestarsâï¸âï¸âï¸ #upthecardsâ¤ï¸ðŸ’›ðŸ’™ pic.twitter.com/sERcUT2y0E
A couple of wins to secure the minor premiership!
— North Brunswick FC (@NorthBrunnyFC) August 4, 2018
Seniors won by 43
Reserves won by 105
Thirds lost by 18#GoBulls pic.twitter.com/2utezZzRhj
Ex-AFL man gets nod as MPFNL club confirms new coaching set up
A former AFL player who says he’s still inspired by his time playing under Malcolm Blight has been appointed co-coach at a MPFNL Division 1 finalist.
New signings, new code: Jets take off in ‘huge’ off-season
Black Rock has signed a quartet of recruits, headlined by a goal kicking machine, and added a new spin to its growing sporting program.