Sunday Spotlight: Uni Blues, Craigieburn, Norwood and Mordialloc score strong wins while EFL rivals share the points

THE first edition of the Sunday Spotlight puts the focus on a VAFA derby, controversial EFL draw and two promoted sides making waves in different regions of Melbourne.

VAFA football: University Blacks V University Blues. No 10 Pete Summers for Blues. Picture: David Smith

EACH weekend the Sunday Spotlight will answer the burning questions from Saturday’s matches and bring you the latest news from competitions across Melbourne. In our first edition, we look at results including University Blues’ conquering their closest VAFA rival, Craigieburn’s meteoric comeback and Norwood’s upset win.

EFL: NORWOOD SPRING A SURPRISE

Reigning Eastern Football League premier Norwood was staring down the barrel of a 0-3 start to the season entering its clash with raging favourite Noble Park. Former Magpie Kyle Martin slotted five goals — all in the first quarter — but Leigh Williams and Brent English matched his effort by the final siren as the Norsemen prevailed to kickstart their campaign.

VAFA: REIGNING PREMIER LEFT BLACK AND BLUE

Xavier McMahon ran riot as University Blues continued its unbeaten return to VAFA Premier Division with a 62-point thumping of cross-campus rival University Blacks. McMahon booted three goals, the same number managed by the reigning premier in a 13.14 (92) to 3.12 (30) result. To rub salt into the wounds, Uni Blues are top of the ladder after three rounds, while Uni Blacks are mired at the bottom.

Adam Pattison feels the heat in Uni Blacks’ loss to Uni Blues. Picture: David Smith

EFL: CONTROVERSIAL END TO DRAWN MATCH

Balwyn and Vermont shared the points in an Eastern Football League classic, but the result could have been very different had it not been for a controversial play-on call. With the match locked at 12.9 (81) apiece, Vermont’s Robbie McComb marked 30m from goal, but was denied the matchwinner when the umpire said he took too long to kick. McComb was tackled and the match finished all square.

EDFL: EAGLES COME FROM THE CLOUDS

It was billed as the match of the round, but Craigieburn’s Division 1 Essendon District Football League clash with Essendon Doutta Stars looked like being a fizzer at half time. The Stars led by as much as 51 points before Jason Cloke inspired an Eagles’ comeback. Craigieburn still had plenty to do at three-quarter-time, trailing by 19 points at D.S Aitken Reserve. But Cloke’s seven-goal haul and Jeremy Page’s dominance helped the home side overrun the Stars to secure a memorable 16.14 (110) to 16.7 (103) win.

PFNL: KEY INJURY SOURS MT ELIZA WIN

It appeared nothing could stop dynamic Mt Eliza full forward Justin Van Unen after a flying start to the 2015 season. But he faces a stint on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury and hobbling from the ground during his side’s 15-point win over Mornington. Van Unen had kicked two goals in the opening five minutes of the match before the injury struck.

SFL: PROMOTED CLUB STARTS WITH A BANG

Thomastown and Jacob Osei-Duro are unbeaten in NFL Division 2. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Last year’s Division 2 premier Mordialloc is making all the right noises after its promotion to the Southern Football League’s top tier. East Malvern is the only other unbeaten team after three rounds, with Mordialloc maintaining its unblemished record thanks to an upset win over Dingley. The home side kicked the final three goals to run over the top of their opponent in a pulsating encounter.

NFL: THOMASTOWN FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS

Matthew Ferraro and Jacob Osei-Duro combined for 13 goals as 2014 Division 3 premier Thomastown matched Mordialloc’s effort with its third win in as many matches. The Bears moved to the top of the ladder after overcoming Fitzroy Stars and face another testing encounter against Whittlesea this weekend.

THE WHISPER: Bundoora hopes star Northern Football League ruckman Matt Dennis could return from a bruised kidney against Macleod on Saturday despite initially ruling him out for eight weeks.