Breakthrough wins for Mernda and Lilydale, a VAFA milestone and three huge EDFL hauls from one club feature in Local Footy’s Sunday Spotlight

IN THIS week’s Sunday Spotlight, we examine three monstrous hauls at Hadfield, breakthrough wins for EFL club Lilydale and NFL outfit Mernda and a club milestone at VAFA club Peninsula Pirates.

Players from East Brighton and Dingley throw themselves at the contest Picture: Paul Loughnan.

IN THIS week’s Sunday Spotlight, we examine three monstrous hauls at Essendon District Football League club Hadfield, breakthrough wins for Eastern Football League club Lilydale and Northern Football League outfit Mernda and a club milestone at VAFA club Peninsula Pirates.

EDFL: Three boot 10 as Hadfield hammers Burnside Heights

It is not unheard of for a team’s spearhead to snag 10 goals when it comes up against a struggling side. But Essendon District Football League club Hadfield took that to an extreme on Saturday when it hammered Burnside Heights by 315 points. Osama Saad booted 12 goals, Michael Khoury snagged 11 and Matthew Patane slotted 10 as the Hawks won 53.18 (336) to 3.3 (21).

NFL: Mernda causes boilover against ladder leader

Matt Patane snagged 10 goals for Hadfield. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Few would have given Mernda a chance as it travelled to Main Street Reserve to tackle Northern Football League Division 2 ladder leader Thomastown. The previously-winless Demons, who had shown improved form in recent weeks, proved the doubters wrong with a 15-point win away from home. Skipper Les Adams led the way as his side got on the board ahead of a vital match against Panton Hill this weekend.

VAFA: Payze breaks Peninsula’s games record

It was a day of celebration for Peninsula Pirates despite the club’s 27-point Victorian Amateur Football Association defeat against Marcellin. Shaun Payze broke the club’s games record when he turned out for his 327th match, 17 years after making his first appearance. Payze has booted more than 900 goals over his career at the Pirates.

EFL: Lilydale gets on the board

Lilydale sung its song for the first time in 2015 after completing a 13.10 (88) to 10.13 (73) triumph over South Croydon in the Eastern Football League. The Falcons led at every change but had to withstand a final-quarter comeback from the Bulldogs to get their first points of the Division 1 campaign. Lilydale remains bottom of the ladder after Round 10.

Players from East Brighton and Dingley throw themselves at the contest Picture: Paul Loughnan.

SFL: Dingley claims bragging rights

Dingley claimed its second win of 2015 over reigning SFL Division 1 premier East Brighton in convincing fashion. The Dingoes took care of the visitors by 31 points at Souter Oval, with

Marcus Freeman a standout. The result put Dingley a game clear at the top of the ladder, while East Brighton is still eight points ahead of its nearest rival — Mordialloc — in second.

RDFL: Romsey remains the team to beat

It had all the makings of a title fight. The rising star and the battled-hardened veteran desperate to defend their mantle. Romsey’s RDFL clash against Macedon delivered on expectation, with the Redbacks confirming themselves as the team to beat for another year after an 18-point win. Macedon managed just one goal to half-time, but fought back to be within nine points at the final change. Five goals from Zak Saad were key to the Redbacks’ victory.