Victorian local and country footy’s leading goalkickers, best forwards
Victorian local footy’s best forwards are making their mark in season 2024 and we have our first 100-goalkicker. See the leading players from across the state.
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The race to get to triple figures is heating up with finals footy now not too far away.
Here’s a look at the leaders across Victoria’s local footy competitions.
Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater (Loddon Valley) – 100 goals
The first man to kick 100 goals at local level this season. It is the third time in his career he he has reached triple figures.
Tim Looby, Strathmerton (Picola) – 97 goals
On track to become the first player in Victoria to kick 100 goals this season after skyrocketing to the top with 20 goals against Yarroweyah. The former Port Adelaide rookie is on track to make up for last year after he kicked 99 goals in the season, falling one short.
Josh Mellington, Bears Lagoon Serpentine (Loddon Valley) – 93 goals
The former Fremantle player would have been odds-on to be the first to 100 goals but a recent hamstring injury now sees the forward unlikely to be back by the end of the season to get there.
James Lloyd, Murchison-Toolamba (Kyabram) – 91 goals
The former Shepparton player is on track to reach the milestone for the first time in his career. Last year he led the goalkicking in the competition with 74 but is on track for a much higher haul after averaging nine goals a game this season.
Paul Summers, Swifts (Horsham) – 79 goals
A lot of the rise of the Swifts in the league can be attributed to Summers after he moved to the club from Stawell. He’s kicked bags of goals in each game, kicking four or more in each game.
Nathan Gardiner, Cora Lynn (West Gippsland) – 76 goals
The former VFL player has been a goalkicking gun since joining Cora Lynn. Has kicked 80 or more goals in all but one season at the Cobras, which was the shortened season due to covid in 2021.
Patrick Ireland, Buln Buln (Ellinbank) – 74 goals
A move to Buln Buln in the off-season has turned the former Gippsland Power player into a goalkicking machine. In eight games he has kicked more than five goals.
Robbie Hare, Allansford (Warrnambool) – 74 goals
Been damaging in the Warrnambool District league for two seasons, kicking more than 150 goals for the Cats. On track to get to 100 for the first time in his career.
Jesse Cavanagh, Albion (Western) – 73 goals
Enjoying a dominant season in the Division 2 competition with the Cats premiership favourites.
Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem (North Central) – 71 goals
The former SANFL player is on track to be the leading goalkicker in North Central again after averaging six goals a game in the competition. He’s kicked eight goals three times this season.
Nathan Carroll, Sunshine (Western) – 68 goals
In a two-man race to win the goalkicking in his competition after crossing from Roxburgh Park in the off-season.
Josh Covelli, Hillside (Essendon District) – 66 goals
The runaway leader in his competition. He’s kicked no less than two goals in a game since the opening round.
Jack Chesser, Barnawartha (Tallangatta and District) - 65 goals
An 18-goal haul on the weekend saw him skyrocket onto this list.
Marc Holt, Lang Lang (Ellinbank) – 65 goals
Started the season on fire with 29 goals in four games before adding 36 in his next seven.
Darcy Fritsch, Coldstream (Eastern) – 63 goals
Once again is proving to be one of the more dominant forwards in metro footy.
Frazer Judd, Greta (Ovens and King) – 63 goals
At one stage Judd was the leader in goalkicking, starting the season with 38 goals in five matches. Still on track for a decent year in front of goal after kicking 86 goals last year for the Blues.
Matthew Baxter, Carrum Patterson Lakes (Southern) – 62 goals
Enjoying a dominant season in front of goal having already beaten his tally of 53 from last season.
Jason Wells, Longwarry (Ellinbank) – 61 goals
The third player from Ellinbank to score 50 goals or more. Has kicked five or more goals in seven matches.
Cooper Thomason, Bright (Ovens and King) – 61 goals
Hasn’t missed a beat in the forward line since playing seniors for the club a couple of seasons ago. On track for his highest haul of goals after kicking 72 and 90 goals respectively for Bright in 2022 and 2023.
Charlie Burrows, Waaia (Picola) – 60 goals
Was the second best goalkicker in the Picola league last year and is on track to do it again as Looby runs away with it. Has kicked 10 or more goals in two games.
Madden Griffin, Hampton (Southern) – 60 goals
The clear leader in Division 4 of the Southern League. He kicked 58 last year.
Duane Haebich, Goorambat (Ovens and King) – 60 goals
One of three players in the competition with 60 or more goals. Has helped Goorambat to be a legitimate finals contender in the competition.
Adam Amin, Scoresby (Eastern) – 59 goals
In his first season with the club, Amin is turning into one of the recruits of the season.
Ethan Duncan, Donvale (Eastern) – 59 goals
Right in the hunt to win the division three goalkicking award, only just behind the competition’s leader.
Kyle Mueller, Congupna (Murray) – 59 goals
The two-time Goulburn Valley goalkicker of the season is on track to add another one in the Murray league after joining Congupna from Kyabram this year. He’s kicked 59 goals, which included nine goals against Rumbalara.
Harry Warfe, Omeo-Benambra (Omeo District) – 59 goals
Helped Omeo-Benambra to be one of the leading contenders in the competition this year, kicking 59 goals in 11 matches. Last year he kicked more than 60 goals for Lakes Entrance in the East Gippsland league.
Aron Burns, Mathoura (Picola) – 57 goals
Is the third player from the Picola league on the list. Has average more than five goals a game and kicked eight goals or more three times this season.
Ryan Garthwaite, Montrose (Eastern) – 56 goals
The ex-Richmond tall is enjoying a stunning season in front of goal. Has several big bags but hasn’t reached double figures in a game just yet.
Fergus Greene, Sandhurst (Bendigo) – 56 goals
The former AFL player is the leading goalkicker in the Bendigo league and on track to kick 100 goals this season. With another game to come against Maryborough, he’s every chance of getting to the milestone.
Hayden Parker, Brunswick (VAFA) – 55 goals
The most dominant forward in the division 2 competition. Parker is playing a key role in his side’s premiership bid.
Richie Simon, AJAX (VAFA) – 55 goals
Capable of playing at any end of the ground, Simon is enjoying a career best season in front of goal.
Dominic Dare, Alvie (Colac) – 53 goals
Kicked 100 goals last year and could do the same with Alvie expected to go deep into finals. The goalkicking full forward has been one of the leading players in country footy for the past few years.
Braedan Kight, Melton (Ballarat) – 53 goals
Has taken his game to another level this season as the Bloods chase premiership success.
OTHER NOTABLES
Eastern Premier Division – Charlie Haley, Balwyn — 38 goals
EDFL Premier Division — Matthew Watson, Pascoe Vale – 29 goals
Gippsland – Brayden McCarrey, Bairnsdale – 36 goals
Goulburn Valley -Anthony Depasquale, Kyabram – 48 goals
Hampden – Shannon Beks, South Warrnambool – 39 goals
Mornington Peninsula Division 1 – Riley D’Arcy, Frankston YCW – 42 goals
Northern Division 1 – Parker Heatley, North Heidelberg — 39 goals
Outer East Premier Division – Sam Toner, Narre Warren – 42 goals
Ovens and Murray – Joshua Minogue, North Albury– 48 goals
Southern Division 1 — Matthew Kreymborg, St Paul’s McKinnon — 42 goals
VAFA Premier Division — Sam Grimley, Uni Blues – 36 goals
Western Division 1 — Tom Condon, Parkside — 39 goals
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