Country footy: Port Fairy snaps 29-match losing streak

Port Fairy is finally on the board after a horror 2022 and a tough draw to start this season in the Hampden league. Read the latest from around the grounds.

Port Fairy has snapped a 29-match losing streak dating back to the early rounds of the 2021 season with a 10-point win over Hamilton Kangaroos on Saturday.

The Seagulls trailed by 23 points midway through the third term before kicking two late goals to narrow the deficit to 12 points at three quarter time.

On a momentous day for the club that had to forfeit a match at senior level last year, star recruit Jason Rowan became only the second Hampden league player to kick 1000 goals.

He kicked the milestone goal in the second term from a set shot.

But his second for the match from the goalsquare in the final quarter was more important as it sealed the Seagulls’ drought-breaking win.

Port Fairy coach Dustin McCorkell. Picture: Martina Murrihy

Rowan joined Port Fairy from Warrnambool this season and the legendary Tony Russell in kicking 1000 career goals in the Hampden league.

Russell played for Port Fairy toward the end of his career that included 1020 Hampden league goals.

Kaine Mercovich, who returned from a season with North Adelaide in the SANFL last year, was pivotal in the Port Fairy fightback in the final term when he booted two goals to put the Seagulls back in front.

Rudash Mohan was another important player for Port Fairy in kicking four goals with Mitchell Ryan and Oscar Pollock among the best players.

Port Fairy had started the season with three successive losses to South Warrnambool, Warrnambool and Koroit.

BENDIGO

South Bendigo has set up a blockbuster encounter with undefeated Sandhurst next round with a rare away win against Golden Square on Saturday.

The Bloods have bounced back from a round 1 loss to Eaglehawk to win their next three matches including a one-point thriller against Golden Square, which led by the same margin at three quarter time.

South’s Will Keck put his team seven points up at the 18-minute mark of the final term with a set shot conversion from 35 metres out before Square captain Jack Geary slotted his third for the match to bring the margin back to a point entering the time-on period.

South Bendigo had not won at Square’s home ground since 2009.

Sandhurst beat last year’s runner-up Strathfieldsaye by 30 points on Saturday.

South Bendigo coach Nathan Horbury. Picture: David Johnston

The South Bendigo-Sandhurst clash will be played at the Bloods’ new home ground, the Harry Trott Oval with the two clubs previous cotenants at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Golden Square has slipped out of the top five with successive losses after starting with two wins against Kyneton and Strathfieldsaye.

Square suffered a major injury setback last round when midfield dynamo Tom Toma injured his hamstring and faces at least three games on the sidelines.

MURRAY

Mulwala’s defence of the Murray league premiership gained further momentum with a crushing 82-point win against Cobram in the grand final replay on Saturday.

Mulwala won its first premiership since 1990 when it beat Cobram by three points in the grand final last year and is the only undefeated team after six rounds.

Cobram wasted chances in front of goal in the first quarter before being blown away by Mulwala, which started the season with wins against its two biggest threats for back-to-back flags, Moama and Congupna.

Zach Scott and Tom Dow starred for the Lions, who were also well served by former Yarrawonga player Jackson Meade.

Cobram has had a big turnover of players since last year and prime mover Harry Beasley hasn’t played since round 3 with a thumb injury.

Congupna and Moama meet next round after disposing of Nathalia and Deniliquin respectively on Saturday.