All the big talking points from Melbourne’s local footy
Ex-AFL players dominated with big performances in wet conditions, including one who is stranded on 99 goals, while one game was halted due to a nasty injury. See our Victorian local footy wrap.
Ex-AFL players came to the floor in Victoria’s wet weather footy on Saturday afternoon.
They were among the standout performers as the race for finals footy and battles to avoid relegation took another step.
Here’s how they fared.
UNI BLACKS GUSTY WIN
Uni Blacks finished with just one man on the bench was still able to secure a xx-point win over Collegians to keep their VAFA Premier Men’s finals hopes alive. It was the first time Dale Bower’s side have won in six attempts the Lions since being promoted from Premier B in 2023. The game was overshadowed by a leg injury to Sam Bennett in the first quarter. Bennett stepped into a contest where limited contact appeared to occur with an opponent before players were seen immediately calling for a stretcher and assistance for Bennett. After about a 10-minute delay, he was taken from the ground via a gate on the opposite side of the ground. An ambulance was called to treat his injury.
“Season on the line for us,” Blacks gun Kane Loftus told KommunityTV after the game.
SOUTH BELGRAVE CEMENTS ITS SPOT
South Belgrave reminded everyone why it’s the Eastern league division one flag favourite with an impressive 28-point win over Boronia. On the road, the ladder leader was able to build momentum on the back of strong second and third quarters. Park Orchards won the other game between finals contenders in the division after getting the better of North Ringwood by 27 points. Big Charlie Muley knocked over five goals as Beaconsfield blitzed Mooroolbark by 83 points at Holm Park Reserve. Devon Smith, Ethan Winterton, Jack Docherty, Ethan Harris, Joshua Mounter and former AFL Jake Aarts, in his return season to Beacy, showed the way for a team trying to put a seal on a finals place. The Gary Ayres-coached Montrose took the cane to struggling Norwood, winning by 90 points at Mullum Mullum Reserve.
STRATHMORE’S STATEMENT
Strathmore proved why the EDFL Premier Division top-three is significantly ahead of the rest of the competition with a 76-point thumping of fourth-placed Deer Park. The Mores won every quarter in a dominant display on the road as Andrew Gallucci finished as his side’s leading goalkicker with three majors.
FORMER AFL MAN CLOSES IN ON THE TON
Michael Newton is now just one goal shy of triple figures in his return to junior club Whorouly in the Ovens and King league. The former Melbourne man booted 12 goals in the win over Benalla All Blacks to take his tally to 99. Meanwhile over in the Loddon Valley league, Bridgewater gun Lachie Sharp is now just two off after kicking a dozen himself.
BENNELL SHOWS HIS CLASS
Tough conditions demanded a touch of class and former AFL player Jamie Bennell supplied it for East Ringwood as it stayed on top on the Eastern league Premier ladder with a 29-point win over finals aspirant Noble Park at the Pat Wright Senior Oval. The ex-Demon and Eagle kicked three goals in the first half, one from a snap that curled like smoke from a cigar. The Kangaroos eased away in the second quarter and held their advantage the rest of the way.
A revitalised South Croydon continued its push for the top-five by surprising third-placed Balwyn by 32 points at Cheong Park. Classy forward Tom Sheridan filled a bag of seven goals for the Bulldogs, who had other worthy contributors in Matthew Aldous, James Fasan, Liam Shiels, Matt George and Timothy Tegg. Former AFL pair Kayne Turner and Lachlan Young were among the best for Balwyn, whose skipper, Charley Haley, kicked three goals.
A young Berwick side, coached by former league player Andrew “Hottie’’ Williams, claimed another good scalp, defeating visiting Vermont by 19 points. The Wicks are guaranteed of staying in the top grade. So too is Vermont, but the Eagles, a perennial Eastern league power, are knocking around the lower rungs of the ladder.
WARRAGUL CLOSE IN ON DOUBLE CHANCE
Warragul gave its Gippsland League double chance hopes a major boost with a one-point win over Traralgon, who sit third, with only percentage now separating the two sides. The Gulls came from behind at the last break with ex-AFL player Will Hayes hitting the scoreboard with two goals as Jordan Stewart led the way with four.
Former Collingwood and Adelaide player Ben Crocker continues to light up the Gippsland league. The 28-year-old booted 10 goals for flag fancy Moe as it towelled bottom team Drouin by 96 points. Crocker has 73 goals from 13 matches for the Lions, who are coached by former Sorrento player Leigh Poholke, who kicked five goals to take his tally to 32.
SIMPSON PAUSES TO REMEMBER LOVED FIGURE
Colac and District league club Simpson came together to remember Rohan Johns who died at the age of 24 last week. The Tigers held a moment of silence before the reserves game against Alvie on Saturday. Alvie won win the senior and reserve grades.
DISTRICTS UNBEATEN RUN OVER
Werribee Districts suffered its first Western league loss of the season at the hands of reigning premiers Hoppers Crossing by 49 points. After holding a one-goal lead at the main break, the Warriors broke the game open in the second half, holding the ladder leader to just one major.
EAGLES CHASE FINALS BERTH
Somerville continued its determined push for finals in Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 2 with a fast-finishing win over Chelsea, 9.11 (65) to 6.6 (42). The Eagles produced a big last quarter, kicking four unanswered goals after trailing by three points at the final change. Mason de Wit, Oliver Heavey and Lachlan Haskett had a big say in the win, which was Somey’s fourth on the bounce.
SCOREBOARD WRONG BUT YCW WIN
Frankston YCW braved strong winds and rain to post an important one-point win over Sorrento in Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 1, 10.10 (70) to 10.9 (69). The Stonecats held off a fast-finishing Sorrento, which kicked three goals in the last term in a desperate bid to keep its finals hopes alive. The scoreboard said a draw at the siren but the goal umpires corrected it after the game. Blake Mullane and Patrick Bloink (three goals) were best for YCW while ex-AFL man Ryan Clarke booted three goals for Sorrento.
MANSFIELD FIGHTS BACK FOR A DRAW
After giving up a five-goal to one opening term, Mansfield eventually fought back to earn a share of the spoils against Rochester. An Eagles’ point was the final score of the game and enough to keep Mansfield in fourth spot, one game behind the Tigers.
HAWKS RUN RAMPANT
Monbulk kicked its second highest score of the season as it banked its third consecutive win in Outer East’s Premier Division. The Hawks had 10.1 on the board at halftime against Healesville and ended up winning by 83 points, 17.9 (111) to 4.4 (28). Max Thornton led the scoring with three goals while Ziggy Hatherley and Lochlan Beecroft slotted two apiece. Monbulk is 8-6 and in fourth spot.
BLACK ROCK’S CRUCIAL WIN
Black Rock hung on after a dominant opening to topple Carrum Patterson Lakes by three points in a crucial win. The 10.13 (73) to 10.10 (70) win means the Jets are fifth in Southern Division 3 on percentage, and just win separates second and seventh on the ladder.
HEARTBREAK FOR DE LA SALLE
Chasing its first win of the VAFA Premier Men’s season, De La Salle had their hearts broken at the latest possible stage by St Bernard’s. A goal from Marcus Holland at the 31-minute mark handed the Snowdogs their first win in seven games to move a game-and-a-half clear of the drop zone.
SOUTH BARWON LEAP TO FIFTH
South Barwon now sit fifth on the Geelong FNL ladder after a 23-point win over Bell Park, who the Swans overtook. Tom Barlett was impressive in the win, named best on ground.
HEWETT ON TRACK FOR CAREER SEASON
Wantirna South forward Liam Hewett should finish 2025 with a career-best goal haul. He booted 10 goals in an 83-point demolition of Heathmont on Saturday afternoon to take his season tally to 41. His previous best was 44 goals back in 2022.
BULLS COME UP CLUTCH
Relegation was on the line as South Morang hosted Bundoora on Saturday and it was the Bulls that came away with a potentially season-saving 35-point win at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. Isaac McMillan produced a best-on-ground performance, while Liam Mallia bagged three goals in an all-action display to guide their team home 11.8 (74) to 5.9 (39). The result sees Bundoora move two games clear of the Lions on the bottom of the ladder with four games remaining in the NFNL Division 1 season.
ANGLESEA CLAIMS FINALS LIKE WIN
Anglesea established a one-game gap between itself and Barwon Heads in the Bellarine league with a 22-point win. The Roos were able to overturn a halftime deficit as Ayden Gras proved a handful up forward with four goals. Ryan Baker and Jai Anderson were among the better players.
GISBORNE WINS TOP OF THE LADDER CLASH
Sandhurst and Gisborne are now only separated by percentage at the top of the Bendigo league ladder. The Bulldogs claimed a 37-point win over Sandhurst on Saturday as they stormed home with a six-goal to two second half. Gun forward Pat McKenna kept the defenders honest with four majors.
DIGGERS PUSHED TO BRINK
Woodend-Hesket produced arguably it best performance of the RDFNL season but couldn’t stop Diggers Rest recording a 10-point win at Diggers Rest Reserve. The Hawks held a 13-point lead at three-quarter-time but were overrun, the Burras charging home with the wind to win 9.10 (64) to 8.6 (54). Marcus Calvaresi produced a best-on-ground performance for Diggers, while Lochie Jones and Justin Tenaglia also impressed. Daniel Toman was at his ball-winning best for Woodend.
INVERLEIGH TAKES ITS CHANCE
Inverleigh has climbed into the Geelong and District league top-five at the expense of Bell Post Hill after a 10-point over North Geelong. The Hawks held off a fast finishing Magpies who kicked sven goals to two in the last term to secure the win. Mason Dickson was the difference up forward with six goals.
THREE IN A ROW FOR BENTLEIGH
Having not kicked more than one goal in a match all season, young Bentleigh small Tom Dowsing has now kicked 10 in his past two games after a four goal effort against East Brighton. The Demons led at every change in a crucial 15-point win to mark a third straight triumph and all but lock up a place in finals – something few would have predicted at the beginning of the season.
DOLPHINS UPSET PANTHERS
Frankston has resigned East Malvern, who had been ladder leaders three weeks ago, to a third straight defeat in Division 2 of the Southern league. The Dolphins prevailed by 24 points and are now just a game off the top five.
WAUBRA’S BIG UPSET
Waubra tasted success for just the second time this season after recording a 19-point win over reigning premier Daylesford. Ryan Gavin and Nic Moran were among the better performers as Darcy Jenkins and Connor Thar were able to hit the scoreboard.
Originally published as All the big talking points from Melbourne’s local footy
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