Brendan Fevola’s Donvale cameo, Luke Ball’s Old Xaverians debut, St Bernard’s stunning turnaround and Brent Guerra’s form in front of goal feature in Local Footy’s Sunday Spotlight

THIS week’s Sunday Spotlight looks at the impressive turnaround of a VAFA flag contender, a winning debut for an ex-Magpie and the Brendan Fevola roadshow rolling into the EFL.

Port Melbourne’s Daniel Toman is dumped by Clint Jones during Sandringham’s VFL win. Picture: Chris Eastman.

IN THIS week’s Sunday Spotlight, Local Footy examines the form of a ex-Hawk in front of goal in the Peninsula League, one of the more dominant halves of football out of the Western Region Football League and a stunning statement from a Victorian Amateur Football Association flag threat.

VAFA: ST BERNARD’S RUNS RIOT

At quarter-time in its Victorian Amateur Football Association match against University Blacks, St Bernard’s was on the canvas, trailing by 29 points. But like a veteran boxer who finds a second wind, the Snowdogs counterpunched their way out of trouble at Melbourne University Oval. St Bernard’s drew level at half-time and dominated from then on, powering away with a 21.16 (142) to 9.9 (63) win. The Snowdogs produced a 108-point turnaround to strengthen their top-two claims in Premier Division.

PFNL: GUERRA FINDS THE BIG STICKS

With 108 goals in 255 AFL games to his name, Brent Guerra has a proven record in front of goal. But on very few occasions has the former Hawk produced a performance inside attacking 50 like he managed on Saturday in the Peninsula league. The Chelsea coach snagged seven majors in his side’s big win over Karingal, claiming best-on-ground honours. Guerra’s side sits eighth after eight rounds following its 114-point triumph.

EFL: FEV STEALS THE SHOW

On a normal day, few people would have given Donvale a chance against Eastern Football League Division 4 finals aspirant Glen Waverley Hawks. But this was not a normal day. The home side had former Carlton and Brisbane spearhead Brendan Fevola in its side, a man who has proven more than once he is capable of winning games off his own boot. There was hope of an upset with Donvale within 11 points at three-quarter-time, but Glen Waverley proved too strong despite seven goals from Fev.

Lachlan Baddely was on song during St Albans’ big win. Picture: Mark Dadswell

WRFL: ST ALBANS’ BLISTERING START

Talkabout a blistering opening half. While St Albans entered its Western Region Football League clash with Port Melbourne Colts as warm favourites, few expected the carnage that would unfold in the opening half. The Saints slammed on 17 goals and kept Port Melbourne goal-less, leading by 104 points at the main break, before winning by 140.

VAFA: BALL MAKES WINNING DEBUT

Old Xaverians welcomed former St Kilda and Collingwood midfielder Luke Ball on Saturday for his first game of the year. The on-baller played a part in the side’s important 13.12 (90) to 12.13 (85) win over De La Salle, but it was Marcus Allan and Patrick Tiernan who won most of the plaudits for the victors. Old Xaverians stayed in the top four on the back of its latest win.

Port Melbourne’s Daniel Toman is dumped by Clint Jones during Sandringham’s VFL win. Picture: Chris Eastman.

VFL: SANDY BREAKS A LONG DROUGHT

The footy landscape can change a lot in seven years. But in the VFL, at least one statement has remained true over that period of time. At least that was until Saturday. Port Melbourne held a stranglehold over Sandringham stretching back until 2007 entering the teams’ clash at North Port Oval. It looked like that trend might continue until the Zebras produced a rousing finish away from home to win by seven points. Sandringham dynamo Adam Cockie was named best afield.