All the talking points from Country Footy

From interleague battles to winning and losing streaks ending in country footy and draws galore, here are the main talking points from the weekend’s action.

It was another huge weekend of country footy across Victoria.

Here are all the key talking points to emerge from the weekend.

Ballarat make amends

Ballarat defeated Hampden in the under-23 interleague championship. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Four years ago, Ballarat was smashed in their interleague hit out against Hampden. This time, Ballarat got revenge, beating the Bottle Greens by 16 points, 13.13 (91) to 11.9 (75). Led by VFL-listed player Kyle Borg, who kicked three goals, and Sebastopol’s Riley O’Keefe, who was best on ground, Ballarat got on top of Hampden in the second quarter after Hampden led at quarter-time. It remains to be seen if the concept, which was under-23s, will remain in 2024 and beyond or if the traditional open format comes back.

Gordon’s run ends

The reigning premiers have lost for the first time in almost a year, losing to Skipton by one point in the Central Highlands league. After Skipton kicked three goals to one in the third term to lead by 16 points at the final change, Gordon responded in the final term. But it wasn’t enough as Skipton, despite kicking three behinds, held on. Gordon won 18 games in a row before the loss and held the second longest winning streak in the state. Bungaree, with nine wins, is now the only unbeaten team in the competition.

Cats find form

The premiership defence of Lockington Bamawm United is back on track after it knocked off contender and former ladder leader North Bendigo by 36 points. In their best performance of the season, Anthony McMahon kicked four goals to help his side to a win which puts them two games clear of sixth. The team remains in fifth despite the win.

Grenfell closer to 100

Marong's Brandyn Grenfell. Picture: Supplied

He was one of the first players to kick 100 goals in country footy last year and Brandyn Grenfell is inching closer to the milestone again. He kicked 10 goals in Marong’s 138-point win over Newbridge to maintain the team’s unbeaten run. Marong has now won its past 25 matches in the Loddon Valley league, which is the longest in the state. Grenfell now sits of 77 goals after his bag of goals on Saturday.

Tigers stay strong

A seven-goal haul to former Adelaide and Geelong player Josh Jenkins has kept Sea Lake Nandaly unbeaten as the team beat last year’s premiers, Birchip-Watchem by nine points. The Tigers started well, leading by 25 points at half-time before the reigning premiers made a premiership statement in the third quarter, reducing the margin to four points. Sea Lake Nandaly held on in the final term to win its 10th game in a row this season. The team is now three games clear of the pack with Jenkins now at 24 goals for the season in his four games with the club.

Unbeaten run alive... just

Newborough maintained its unbeaten run in the Mid Gippsland league but was held to a draw by Foster. In a game where Foster could have won if the team was more accurate, Newborough fought back from a slow start to get a vital two points. The team is now 10 points clear at the top of a logjam of teams. One game separates Tarwin, in second, to Thorpdale in seventh.

Drawsome weekend

On the topic of draws, what a weekend for it. There were three in country footy on Saturday. The unlucky tale went to Waubra and Beaufort who played out a draw in the Central Highlands league at 71 points each. Both teams, who were winless heading into the game, stayed without a win but now both teams have at least two points this season. For poor Beaufort, who haven’t won since last season, the team has now had two draws this season. In other matches, Colbinabbin drew with Elmore 79 points each, Foster and Newborough were locked at 60 each when their game finished.

Eagles win battle of birds

There are not many times in a game of football where four goals is enough to win a game. Ellinbank defeated the unbeaten Buln Buln Lyrebirds by one-point, kicking 4. 1. (25) to 3. 6. (24) to secure their best win of the year. After half time, just two goals were kicked with both going to the Eagles. Ellinbank remains in second on the ladder but now the margin is one game between them and the Lyrebirds.

Seventh heaven for Pies

Callum Moore kicked seven goals for Wangaratta Magpies last Saturday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

A seven goal haul from Callum Moore has led the Wangaratta Magpies to their seventh straight win in the Ovens and Murray league over the Wodonga Bulldogs. The Pies overcame a half time deficit to power home and keep one game from top spot. The team has responded well after losing last year’s premiership following a salary cap breach.

Saints gain bragging rights

An eight-goal third term has given the Saints a major win in the battle of Horsham. The team defeated the Horsham Demons by 80 points to win their second contest against their rivals for the season. The Saints are now second on the ladder with Jarrod Garth kicking seven goals for the game to lead from the front for his side.

Originally published as All the talking points from Country Footy