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Aaron Cloke’s century of goals for Oakleigh VAFA, a stunning effort with 21 goalkickers from Yarra Glen and Jacana’s breakthrough EDFL victory headlines this week’s column.
And don’t miss — WILD WEATHER LASHES LOCAL FOOTY
ANOTHER SOUTHERN MATCH CALLED OFF DUE TO BRAWL
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Cloke reaches the ton
Spearhead Aaron Cloke reached the ton for the second time in his Oakleigh career on Saturday, bagging nine goals against Therry Penola to pass the magic milestone. Cloke has bagged 102 majors from 18 games in VAFA Division 1, an average of 5.6 goals per match. The last time Cloke reached triple figures was in 2013 playing under-19s for Oakleigh, a season during which he slotted 22 goals in a match against Ormond. Oakleigh hammered Therry Penola by 106 points in the last home-and-away round — the same opposition it will face in week one of finals.
AFL YARRA RANGES: All bar one player from Yarra Glen kicks a goal
Yarra Glen piled on the misery for struggling Thornton Eildon in Division 2 on Saturday and 21 of its 22 players cashed in with goals. Yarra Glen posted the fourth highest score in AFL Yarra Ranges history, 54.29 (353), but more remarkably all bar one of its players registered a goal. Richard Gurney led the way with 12 majors, but there were contributions from 12 of his teammates to the monster score.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Jacana ends Fletcher’s tenure with a win
There’s no denying it has been a difficult season in Division 1 of the EDFL for Jacana. Winless heading into the last round and coach Robert Fletcher’s last match in charge, the Jaguars produced a 13.7 (85) to 11.11 (77) victory over Oak Park. Jacana rallied from 12 points down at halftime, kicking 10 goals to seven in the second half as Jason Cloke, Billy Morrison and Bryce Kimuliatis helped their side secure a long-awaited win.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Stars align in dramatic finish
South Melbourne Districts sensationally reclaimed the finals ticket it had mislaid over the last few weeks of the VAFA Division 4 home-and-away campaign on Saturday.
The Bloods eclipsed minor premier North Brunswick 14.13 (97) to 8.13 (61) and got the extra help they needed to leapfrog South Mornington and secure fourth spot on the ladder.
They have sixth-placed Elsternwick to thank for their post-season participation after it rolled South Mornington by 46 points. “We got lucky to make it in, to scrape in, but now that we’re in we feel like we can do a fair bit of damage,” Bloods coach Anthony McMahon said. South Melbourne Districts will face St Francis Xavier in a knockout semi-final.
BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Gisborne’s finals hopes still alive
Gisborne is within striking distance of the BFL top five with one round to play after a stirring win over Golden Square. The Bulldogs kicked two goals to one in a tense last quarter to claim a 7.16 (58) to 7.13 (55) victory and draw level with Golden Square with a 10-7 record after 17 rounds. Josh Grabham, Nicholas Doolan and Anthony Belcher were the heroes for Gisborne, which must beat South Bendigo in the last round and hope Kyneton defeats Golden Square.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Another minor premiership for Vermont
Vermont emphasised the longevity of its dominance at the top of the EFL Division 1 ladder by clinching its third consecutive minor premiership with a 13-point win over reigning premier South Croydon on Saturday. Andrew Anger stood tall with five goals as his side prevailed 13.16 (94) to 12.9 (81) in a game where little separated two of the division’s premiership contenders. With top spot secure, Vermont will turn its attention to another premiership tilt.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Relegation rivals set for last-round showdown
The immediate futures of Hurstbridge and Whittlesea will be decided this when the two teams still in relegation danger clash in the last round of the NFL Division 1 campaign. The Bridges went within minutes of condemning the Eagles to Division 2 in 2019 when they led Montmorency in the last term of their clash on Saturday. But the Magpies kicked the last goal to secure a one-point win and leave Hurstbridge facing a relegation showdown with Whittlesea. Both teams are 2-15 but the Bridges have a superior percentage.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Ringwood heads to finals with perfect record
Ringwood is one of a select group of Victorian teams who will carry a perfect record into finals this year after finishing the EFL Division 3 campaign with an 18-0 record. The Redbacks defeated their closest rival Boronia by 18 points on Saturday, 9.10 (64) to 6.10 (46), allowing Scoresby to jump from third to second in the last round. Ringwood’s record was in danger when it trailed by seven points at three-quarter-time but it kicked four goals to one behind in the last term.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Burgers back at the bottom
Percentage might determine which of West Coburg and Essendon Doutta Stars drops out of EDFL Premier Division this year. The Burgers kicked the opening five goals of their match against Avondale Heights on Saturday but fell apart afterwards, allowing the Heights to register 13 goals to two from that point. A 13.18 (96) to 7.9 (51) loss caused West Coburg to drop back to the bottom of the ladder. There was only 0.05 points between the bottom two after Round 16 but Essendon Doutta Stars (57.47) holds the upper hand over West Coburg (56.67) despite the Stars losing by 16 points to Strathmore.
SOCIAL WATCH
If you were cold at the 'G today, think of our friends on or at the foot of the mountain. Reserves footy had to be called off at Silvan...it was snowing! I'm sure they weren't the only ones... #localfooty pic.twitter.com/vAxhI2OEZA
— Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun) August 18, 2018
@WestBrunswickFC Reserves down 22-0 at three-quarter time, kick four unanswered goals and won 24-22 🖤⚪ï¸ðŸ–¤ pic.twitter.com/T0vXndag55
— Luke ðŸ‰ðŸŒˆ (@lucrious) August 19, 2018
What a day it was with the Seniors and U19 (1) both getting important wins!
— Old Scotch FC (@OSFC) August 18, 2018
1. OS 73 d SBMT 59
2. SBMT 75 d OS 57
3. OX 63 d OS 50
U19 1. OS d SKOB
U19 2. OX 71 d OS 67
Make sure you get down to Trevor Barker Oval to support the Stars in their Grand Final at 2.30 today! pic.twitter.com/98dCryw47Y
Great win to finish off the home and away rounds
— Doveton Eagles (@eaglesfnc) August 18, 2018
Top spot, the minor premiership and a week off leading into finals secured.
🦅🦅 @SouthernFNL pic.twitter.com/n1RvUmNIzo
Power House eyes premiership push
After a disappointing end to the 2024 season, Power House is aiming to be towards the pointy end of the VAFA Division 3 ladder once again. Here’s how they plan to do it after a busy off-season.
Family draws Spicer to Stars
A family connection helped Fitzroy Stars land ex-AFL forward Phoenix Spicer and coach Neville Jetta believes it can have a longer-lasting impact.