The Hanger: Local footy headlines including Peninsula’s VAFA revival, Sunbury Kangaroos’ season-shaping win and Keilor’s bid for another EDFL flag
NEED your local footy fix in one place? The Hanger is home to all the latest talking points from the weekend’s action — Banyule, Monash Blues and Keilor are on the agenda this week.
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RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Roos shock reigning premier
Sunbury Kangaroos claimed a win which has shaped the RDFL top six on Saturday, severely denting Macedon’s hopes of consecutive flags. The Roos might sit ninth on the ladder and only had four wins to Round 14, but they held on for a famous 6.6 (42) to 5.9 (39) victory at Tony Clarke Reserve after leading by 15 points at three-quarter-time. Christian Monaco was best afield for the victors. Macedon will now have to take the long road to defend its title, sitting two games outside the top three with one round of the regular season to play.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Blackburn withstands Balwyn comeback
Balwyn was left to wonder what might have been after its almighty comeback fell just short against Blackburn. The Burners were eight goals ahead during the third term and had the Division 1 match in their keeping before the Tigers produced a stunning rally. Balwyn kicked eight of the last nine goals of the contest but fell short, going down 11.14 (80) to 10.17 (77) in a defeat which has left its finals hopes in tatters. “We deserved to win, even their coach said we should have won,” a shattered Rodney Eade said post-match.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Mt Eliza closes in on top spot
Could Mt Eliza still finish on top of the MPNFL Division 1 ladder? From third after Round 16, Mt Eliza could still sit at the summit heading into finals after a 22-point victory over Edithvale-Aspendale on Saturday. That result launched the flag contender to second on the ladder, although it is still one game behind likely minor premier Sorrento. The Redlegs host Frankston YCW in the last round of the home-and-away season, while Edithvale-Aspendale welcomes Sorrento to Regents Park in a potential finals preview.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Keilor locks in finals spot
The EDFL Premier Division top four has been destined to be decided in the last few rounds for much of the season. Keilor was able to breathe a sigh of relief when it booked its ticket to finals with two rounds left on Saturday. The Blues are three matches ahead of the only finals contenders outside the top four — Maribyrnong Park and Pascoe Vale — after they claimed a 36-point win over the Lions. Meanwhile, Strathmore continued its impressive record in close games under coach Nathan Grima with a six-point victory over Avondale Heights.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Peninsula still fighting for Premier C safety
Peninsula’s bid to avoid relegation from VAFA Premier C is gathering momentum after it produced a 14-point victory over PEGS. Peninsula has won its past three games against St Mary’s Salesian, Old Geelong and PEGS after it had appeared destined to fall into Division 1 next year. The series of results have pulled Peninsula level with Old Mentonians at 5-11, although its percentage of 61.5 could prove problematic. Games against Marcellin and Old Camberwell Grammarians will decide Peninsula’s fate.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Banyule ends Eltham’s unbeaten run
Banyule proved NFL Division 2 flag favourite Eltham is beatable, ending the Panthers’ 15-match winning run with a 28-point victory on Saturday. Before this year, no Division 3 premier had played Division 2 finals the following season. That was also the case in Division 1 of the NFL, however Banyule and North Heidelberg are set to make history by achieving that feat this season. James Kroussoratis has 55 goals for the campaign after a bag of six against his old side. Meanwhile, Thomastown toppled second-placed Lower Plenty to prove how open the division is.
AFL YARRA RANGES: Spearhead kicks 19 in last game
Would you be tempted to play on if you kicked 19 goals in what was meant to be your swan song game? Leigh McCombe did exactly that in what he expects will be his farewell match for Yarra Junction, finishing with 19.7 from 29 kicks in his team’s 223-point win over Thornton Eildon. A severe ankle injury has curtailed McCombe’s career and he had been warned by physios not to play again. But he had been nagging to play one more game and delivered when given the chance.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Monash gives Ajax a case of the Blues
After 15 rounds, three teams — Ajax, Mazenod and Monash Blues — were 3-12 and fighting to avoid relegation from VAFA Premier B. Monash Blues might have salvaged its seasonon Saturday, hauling itself off the bottom of the ladder with a 13.9 (87) to 10.10 (70) victory against Ajax. Gareth Taylor was the matchwinner with four goals for Monash Blues and with games against flag contenders St Bernard’s and Old Carey to come, the victory could not have been better timed.
SOCIAL WATCH
August 11, 2018
— Box Hill Hawks (@BoxHillHawks) August 12, 2018
12:59pm: 137 career VFL matches, 8 goals.
3:45pm: 138 career VFL matches, 12 goals.
Not bad, Miz. Not bad at all. pic.twitter.com/HjH7TxBIAb
SECOND SPOT IS LOCKED IT. Unfortunately our Reserves lost another nail-biter: 11.1-67 to 11.10-76 but our Seniors comprehensively defeated South Melbourne Districts in an entire team, well structured, 4 quarter effort: 25.14-164 to 4.2-26. Captain Adam Wells was best on ground 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AABS8UYby8
— ParksideFC (@Parkside_FC) August 11, 2018
Seniors got back on the winners list posting a 20 point victory over Reservoir #localfooty #wib #flywiththehawks pic.twitter.com/jw8zdgb4hE
— Heidelberg West FC (@HeidWestHawks) August 11, 2018
.@Blackburn_FC survives an almighty comeback against Balwyn to score a three-point win and lock away an @footyefl finals berth. pic.twitter.com/D3y7tMJynA
— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) August 11, 2018
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