East Point one of the top-10 talking points in country footy last weekend
East Point made a premiership statement against Melton on Saturday as a pair of brothers put in huge performances. See our biggest talking points from the weekend’s country footy.
East Point might have unlocked the secret to beating Melton but the focus is on doing it when premierships are on the line.
The Kangaroos won the Ballarat league grand final replay by nine points over the Bloods at Eastern Oval.
In a close contest on Past Players Day, East Point fought back from being a goal down during the final term to overpower Melton, 11.13 (79) to 10.10 (70).
East Point is the only team to beat Melton in the past year and a half.
Kangaroos coach Joe Carmody said a focus on winning the ball in the contest was key in being able to knock over the reigning premiers.
“Statistically we won contested possession by 25 and clearances by 32,” he said.
“They were the two major things, we also controlled the inside of the contest and were able to get the ball in our forward line and limit their forward entries.
“Their forward line is so dangerous the more looks they get the better chance they are bound to score.
“We were able to restrict that well.”
East Point was also motivated after being beaten by Sunbury last week, its first loss of the season.
The 45-point loss, after conceding the last eight goals of the game, taught the Kangaroos a few lessons.
“We analysed elements of the last quarter which cost us and we felt they were fixable so we worked hard at training to fix them up,” Carmody said.
“We left a few goals out there (last week) and Sunbury were fantastic against us in the final quarter.
“It highlighted what we needed to improve on.”
The Johnston brothers impressed with Jordan kicking four goals and Matt having 40 disposals and 18 clearances.
Former AFL player Jackson Merrett also impressed down back with Sam Cue shutting down leading goalkicker from last year Braedan Kight.
“Our stars played well but we had 22 contributors,” Carmody said.
“We were just pleased to get over the line with a few players missing.
“It’s going to put us in good stead to have that depth.”
Carmody said the team being 5-1 was the perfect platform.
East Point takes on top-six teams Ballarat and Darley in the next three weeks.
Ararat storms clear of field
It’s a legitimate question, can anyone stop Ararat this season in the Wimmera league? The Rats, who are chasing three straight premierships, have won all five games by an average of 103 points. On Saturday, Ararat smashed Southern Mallee Thunder by 52 points in a grand final replay, to maintain the unbeaten run. The Rats have two players inside the top three in goals kicked for the season. One of them, ex-AFL player Tom Williamson, has kicked 22 goals in four games.
South Mildura is on the right track
It’s been a tough time for the Bulldogs in the Sunraysia league. From 2021 to 2024 the team has only won three games but is on track this year to at least match or better that. The Bulldogs have won their past two including the best win in years with a 42-point win over Wentworth on Saturday. The resurgence has been led by the Neagle brothers. Jydon took over as coach during the off-season with Matt kicking four goals in the win over the Kangaroos. Matt has kicked 18 goals for the season to be one of the leading goalkickers in the competition. The Bulldogs are putting themselves in the hunt to be the second team in the past two seasons to go from bottom to finals.
Is the dynasty over for Saints?
The Bambill era could be coming to an end in the Millewa league. The Saints lost their second game of the year against Gol Gol, losing to the Hawks by 14 points. The third term won the Hawks the contest, kicking four goals to two to beat the Saints. Bambill is currently third on the ladder and hasn’t been as destructive as in previous years. Instead, Cardross has been the team to beat, not only beating the Saints in round one by 55 points but beating everyone else by 56 points or more. It’s going to take some turnaround in form for the Saints to remain the best.
Finals over for Corowa?
It’s tough to see Corowa Rutherglen bouncing back from 1-5 to make finals this year under Daryn Cresswell. A 21-point loss at home to the Wodonga Bulldogs has the Kangaroos precariously positioned heading into a tough part of the season. Saturday’s loss came on the back of first quarter as the Bulldogs kicked seven goals to three to lead by 24 points at the first change. The Kangaroos never recovered despite winning the third term. Tom Miller and Adam Jorgensen kicked three goals for the Bulldogs. There was plenty of hype and expectation on the Kangaroos leading into the season after plenty of signings. While the performances have been promising at times, it’s hard to see how the Kangaroos can bounce into the top-five with major tests coming up against the Wangaratta Rovers and North Albury.
Bunyip’s first win is coming
It might not have come on Saturday, in devastating fashion, but Bunyip’s seniors will win sometime this season in the Ellinbank and District league. The Bulldogs fell short of their first win since returning to the competition, losing by one point to Nyora, 10.8.(68) to 9.13.(67). Bunyip had chances to win, kicking four behinds in the final term, but couldn’t get over the line. The loss extends the losing streak to 42. Despite a tough week for the club, losing coach Nick Smith, the team responded in the perfect way and were unlucky not to win. Bunyip will have chances to end the streak in the next few rounds, starting this week against Catani.
Swans big tests to come
The Shepparton Swans have one foot in the finals door in the Goulburn Valley league but the next four weeks will provide the ultimate test. The Swans moved to 7-0 in the league with a 59-point win over Shepparton United. As their cousin and brother Josh was facing Collingwood at the MCG, Nathan and Lucas Rachele were dominating up north to give the Swans their best start to the competition in years. Nathan kicked four goals while Lucas was named in the best players. The Swans have been flying this season but have also faced just two opponents in the top-seven. This changes with Echuca, Mansfield, Kyabram and Shepparton Bears to come in the next four rounds. Wins against those teams or some good performances could see the Swans marching towards finals for the first time in years.
Kerang’s era is over
Unless there is a dramatic change in fortunes the Blues won’t be in contention for the premiership in the Central Murray league. It’s been five years since the Blues missed the grand final and since 2009 Kerang has missed the final day of the season twice, in 2018 and 2019. The incredible run could end with others catching up. Some of it has been down to players and coaches leaving during the off-season while another part has been the club dealing with penalties from its salary cap breach last year. On Saturday, the team got smashed by Cohuna by 53 points, for its fourth loss of the season. Cohuna, along with Woorinen, the Mallee Eagles, and last year’s premier Nyah Nyah West look to be much stronger than the Blues at this stage of the year. It’s tough to see the Blues bouncing back to fight towards a grand final with other teams in far stronger positions.
Country sides comeback from the clouds
Leitchville Gunbower almost gave AFL legend Robert Walls the ultimate send off on Saturday against Heathcote. Down by 40 points on Saturday at three-quarter-time the Bombers stormed home, kicking seven goals to one, to draw with Heathcote in the Heathcote District league. The 11.7.(73) to 10.13.(73) result came after Leitchville Gunbower kicked just three goals for the opening three quarters. For two of them the Bombers didn’t kick a goal. The performance was similar to the Brisbane Bears in 1995 who came back from 45 points down at three quarter time to beat Hawthorn. Walls, who died last week at the age of 74, led the Bears at the time and famously told them to lift as he saw the other team struggling in the heat when the Hawks went into the shade at the final break. But while the Bears won the Bombers fell short of getting the job done. It continues a strong rivalry between the two with the last four contests decided by less than eight points. Leitchville Gunbower ended Heathcote’s season last year when the game was called off in the third quarter because of lightning.
Three teams fighting for one spot
Castlemaine, Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square look to be battling for the fifth and final spot after the opening few rounds of the Bendigo league. Sandhurst, Eaglehawk, Gisborne and South Bendigo look to be locked into the top four with Kangaroo Flat struggling at the bottom. On Saturday, Kangaroo Flat lost to fellow winless team Golden Square by 57 points, to remain winless this season after five rounds. Those five being locked in to their spots creates a race in three for fifth. Can the powerhouses in previous years, Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square, improve to secure a finals spot? Or will Castlemaine stun both of them to make finals for the first time in years?
Originally published as East Point one of the top-10 talking points in country footy last weekend
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