Three teams chances of a perfect season ends as others press their finals claims

Some of the longest winning streaks in local footy ended on Saturday with a game in country footy abandoned after a serious injury. Catch-up on all of Saturday’s local footy action.

Greensborough’s Harrison Andronaco on the run. The team had their best win of the season against Heidelberg. Photo: Andrew Batsch

The sun was out as local footy heated up with finals just around the corner.

And boy there were plenty of talking points.

Here they are from across the state.

Heidelberg suffered their first loss this season on Saturday. Picture: Andrew Batsch.

BOROUGH ENDS BERGERS STREAK

Heidelberg’s 31-game unbeaten run in the Northern league Division 1 is over. Greensborough put an end to the Tigers’ hopes of a perfect season with an 18-point triumph at Warringal Park, 14.8 (92) to 9.10 (64). The contest was won in a dominant final term for the Boro who kicked six goals to one to stun the ladder leaders. Zak McCubbin booted five goals in an inspirational effort as Greensborough kept their finals chances alive. The result moved Boro to fourth and into the top-five on percentage with three rounds to go.

OLD SCOTCH STATEMENT

Old Scotch underlined its premiership credentials in the VAFA Premier Division with a 25-point win over ladder leader Brighton. What was more remarkable was the Cardinals came from 31 points down in the first quarter. Skipper Andy Jelbart starred with two goals while Will Clark was brilliant in the ruck.

OAK PARK SECURE FINALS

Oak Park’s standout promotion to Division 1 of the EDFL continued after locking in a finals berth. Todd Clark’s side recorded an 12-point win over Tullamarine but survived a scare in the final term. Tullamarine kicked seven goals to two to almost come back from 43 points down at the final change.

A THRILLING REMATCH

Werribee Districts claimed the WFNL Division 1 grand final rematch after overturning a 20-point three-quarter-time deficit to beat Point Cook. It was a win which kept Werribee on top of the ladder after the side lost its first match of the season last week.

Thorpdale FNC coach Jason Winderlich. Picture: Paul Amy

EX-BOMBER SERIOUSLY INJURED

Former Essendon player Jason Winderlich has been seriously injured playing for Thorpdale against Toora in the Mid-Gippsland league. The 39-year-old was injured in the second quarter after he got knocked in the head while trying to collect the ball. He was taken to hospital with a suspected spinal injury and the game abandoned just before half time. You can read more about it here.

CADDY KICKS COLTS INTO GEAR

A Josh Caddy-inspired Port Melbourne Colts has injected life into its Southern league Division 1 season with a stunning upset win over St Paul’s McKinnon.

The Colts had lost their past three encounters and were losing touch with the top five.

But the two-time premiership Tiger kicked seven crucial goals in the Colts’ 12.12 (84) to 8.12 (60) win to revive their finals hunt.

Other ex-AFL men Dane Swan and Tom Bellchambers also kicked a goal each.

The win would’ve held more weight if Cranbourne was able to defeat East Brighton but the Vampires spun a four-goal halftime deficit to beat the Eagles 17.6 (108) to 13.6 (84).

PANTHERS STORM INTO FINALS RACE

Blackburn moved into the top-five in the Eastern Premier League with a 30-point win over premiership contender Rowville. The contest was won in the first half with the Panthers storming to a 24-point lead at half time after keeping Rowville to just two goals. Jake Hammond, Charlie Oglethorpe and Toby Wooller all kicked three goals for the Panthers in the win. The side moved into the finals spots after South Croydon lost to Vermont by 37 points.

Dromana player Jake Aarts was one of the best for the Tigers in their draw with Frankston YCW. Picture: Valeriu Campan

STUNNING DRAW IN MPFNL

Dromana will have to wait one more week to wrap up the MPFNL Division 1 premiership after drawing with Frankston YCW in the game of the round. A win would have wrapped up the title but the Tigers will now have to wait until next week to claim it for the second year in a row. The side in some respects were lucky to draw after Frankston YCW led for most of the contest. Dromana fought back from 19 points down at the final break to claim a share of the points. Former Richmond Tiger Jake Aarts kicked two goals for Dromana and was one of the best for Dromana. Riley D’Arcy kicked four goals for Frankston YCW but it was not enough to give the third-placed side the win.

MAGPIES RULE IN OUTER EAST

Narre Warren is one step closer to the Outer East Premier Division minor premiership after beating Wandin by 13-points in the top of the table clash. The Magpies overcoming a strong challenge from the Bulldogs in the final term, kicking four goals to one to prevail. Cousins Daniel and Tom Toner combined for seven goals to help Narre Warren to the win. The Magpies are now top by one game over Woori Yallock, in second, who won by 79 points over Berwick Springs, with Wandin now down to third and two games behind the ladder leaders.

RIDDELL TAKES TOP-OF-THE-TABLE WIN

Riddell has wrapped up the RDFNL minor premiership with a dominant 83-point win over second-placed Romsey. Dylan Tarczon booted four goals in a starring role. The 19.9 (123) to 5.10 (40) triumph is the Bombers’ second top-of-the-table win in recent wins after smashing Diggers Rest by 91 points.

PREMIERS SHOW BARK

Golden Square has emphatically booked their place in the Bendigo league finals, beating ladder leaders Sandhurst in their best win of the season. It’s been a tough year for the Bulldogs who had to deal with the loss of not only their coach but a raft of players before the start of the season. On Saturday, the Dogs prevailed and sent a message, in a stunning third term which set up the win. Down by 15 points at the main break the Dogs kicked six goals to one to lead by 13 points at the final change. Golden Square went on to win by 21 points. The win was set up with the return of Tom Toma, from his VFL commitments with Essendon. He kicked three goals from the midfield with Jordan Rosengren kicking four goals.

RUN OVER FOR WOMBATS

Not only is the second longest streak in local footy over (see above) the fifth longest is also gone. Lancaster was beaten by 20 points by Nagambie in the Kyabram District league to end their 26 game unbeaten run. The contest was over in the first three quarters as Nagambie kept the Wombats to three goals and kicked nine themselves to lead by 40 points. A final term recovery was not enough for Lancaster to keep the streak running.

Parkdale player Mitch Brown kicked plenty of goals on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

BROWN ON TRACK FOR A TON?

Ex-AFL forward Mitch Brown is eyeing off in the VAFA. He booted nine goals to take his tally to 66 for the season as Parkdale Vultures recorded a massive win over Mazenod in Premier C.

MURATORE STARS AS EAGLES DREAM

Airport West kept its EDFL Premier Division finals hopes alive with a massive win over fifth place Greenvale. Luca Muratore was the standout with four goals as Airport West won by 52 points.

GRIFFIN ON TRACK FOR CENTURY

Hampton’s Madden Griffin has surged closer to becoming the latest Southern league player to kick 100 goals.

The spearhead slotted seven goals to improve his tally to 86 in the Hammers’ huge win over Moorabbin Kangaroos.

Griffin is an impressive 30 goals ahead of the next best Division 4 goal kicker.

Griffin has a minimum three games left in the year to kick the 14 goals between he and the ton.

The 158-point win over the fourth-seed is reflective of how dominant ladder-leading Hampton has been this season.

LIONS RUN ENDS

There is life in the Golden Rivers premiership race after Ultima ended Hay’s unbeaten run in the competition. The Kangaroos got on top in the second half after a tight contest in the first half to win by 24 points. Ultima’s Ryan Devereux was the difference, kicking five goals in the win. The win ended Hay’s 14 match unbeaten run.

FINALS RACE COMES DOWN TO FINAL MINUTES

A large win in the final round has helped Jerilderie finish eighth and claim the last spot in the Picola league finals. Heading into the final round both Jerilderie and the Deniliquin Rovers were on the same amount of points. Both ended up winning the last round with the Rovers beating Katandra and Jerilderie beating Mathoura. But the Demons win by 83 points was enough to beat the Rovers on percentage. Just 3.6 per cent separated the two sides at the end of the season, which ended the Rovers campaign. The finals start next week.

Jarryd Blair is the coach of Wonthaggi. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

POWER FIGHTS ON

After starting 2-4 this season in the Gippsland league, Wonthaggi is now on a charge towards the finals. The team has won six of its past seven, including a 79-point win over Bairnsdale on Saturday, to now move to 9-7 and inside the top-five. The only loss in the past seven games has been to reigning premiers Leongatha. The Power is on track to cause some damage in the finals if it continues this form.

FIRST FINAL WIN

It might be early August but finals have already started in some competitions. The first final was held in the Upper Murray league with Tumbarumba beating Corryong by 68 points. The Roos will now play the loser of Cudgewa and Bullioh, who face each other next week, for a spot in the grand final in two weeks time.