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Goalkickers 2024: Congupna’s Kyle Mueller finishes on 95 goals in Murray league

The home-and-away season for country footy’s major leagues concluded on Saturday, with seven players reaching 100 for the season. See the final leaderboard.

Congupna’s Kyle Mueller has finished five goals short of becoming the eighth player to kick 100 goals in country footy in 2024.

Mueller booted eight against Echuca United in the final round of the Murray league on Saturday to finish on 95.

His attention turns to helping Congupna win its first flag since 1993.

Mueller joined Congupna from Goulburn Valley league club Kyabram this season and began the season with a bang by booting six goals against Mulwala in the grand final replay.

His biggest haul was 15 against Barooga in the second last round.

It was his only double figure haul of goals in the tightly contested Murray league this season.

Congupna plays Finley in a fortnight in the second semi-final after they locked in the top two spots.

In other major league goalkicking races, North Albury’s Josh Minogue was the top goalkicker in the Ovens & Murray league with 61 goals.

He beat recently appointed Yarrawonga coach Leigh Williams by two.

Kyabram’s Athony Depasquale booted 18 goals in the last three rounds to finish on 72 goals in the Goulburn Valley league.

Leongatha’s Jenson Garnham finished one behind Bairnsdale’s Brayden McCarrey in the battle for leading goalkicker in the Gippsland league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Leongatha’s Jenson Garnham finished one behind Bairnsdale’s Brayden McCarrey in the battle for leading goalkicker in the Gippsland league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Bairnsdale’s Brayden McCarrey held onto win the Gippsland league goalkicking award by one from Leongatha’s Jenson Garnham, who booted 10 in the final round.

The Bairnsdale small forward booted 54 for the season.

Former North Melbourne star midfielder Ben Cunnington booted 10 goals in the final round to help seal the Hampden goalkicking race.

He finished on 67 and two clear of South Warrnambool’s Shannon Beks, who booted nine in the last game before finals.

Brandyn Grenfell topped the Central Murray goalkicking table with 73. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Brandyn Grenfell topped the Central Murray goalkicking table with 73. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Ararat co-coach Tom Williamson won the Wimmera league goalkicking award with 57 goals.

Nyah-Nyah West United Brandyn Grenfell was the most prolific goalkicker in the Central Murray league with 73 for the season and Sandhurst’s Fergus Greene finished on 80 in the Bendigo league.

Melton’s Braedan Kight won the Ballarat league goalkicking with 75.

LLOYD TOPS IN 2024

Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd has won the race to be the leading goalkicker in country footy in 2024.

Lloyd finished on 130 goals for the season to pip Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp by two following a haul of 14 goals in the final round against Violet Town last Saturday.

It was the fifth time he had kicked 10 or more goals in a match this season with his 2024 best being 19 against Undera in mid-June.

“He’s never kicked 100 goals before,” Murchison-Toolamba coach Brett Foley said.

“He kicked 74 last year, but missed a few games.

“He’s had a full season which he hasn’t really had for a while.

“The team is obviously playing pretty well also which helps.

“He’s being fed pretty well by our midfielders.”

The 28-year-old plays alongside two twin brothers, Aidan and Andrew, for Murchison-Toolamba which will play reigning premier Lancaster in a qualifying final in a fortnight.

Sharp finished with eight against Calivil United in the last round of the Loddon Valley league season.

Two more players brought up their 100th goals for the season in the final round.

Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd, centre, has finished on 130 goals in the Kyabram District league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd, centre, has finished on 130 goals in the Kyabram District league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

They were Cora Lynn’s Nathan Gardiner, who began the day on 98 and booted three to finish on 101, and Buln Buln’s Patrick Ireland, who booted a season-best 14 in the last round of the Ellinbank District league.

Ireland had kicked 13 against Poowong mid-season and finished on 107 for the season and fifth place overall.

Swifts’ Paul Summers was third overall with 115 and Strathmerton’s Tim Looby was fourth on 113.

The top 11 goalkickers for 2024 have all finished their home and away rounds with Congupna’s Kyle Mueller the only player able to add to his tally.

Mueller booted 15 goals against Barooga in the second last round of the Murray league.

Congupna, which will finish minor premiers, plays bottom team Echuca United and could potentially become the eighth player to kick 100 goals this year.

CHANGE OF SCENERY PAYS DIVIDENDS

The chance to play up forward at a new club has paid handsome dividends for Swifts forward Paul Summers.

The former Stawell player kicked his biggest bag of goals for the season last round with 12 against Edenhope-Apsley including six in the first term.

He started the day on 93 goals and brought up his 100th goals in the second quarter.

“The lads getting ball down to the forward line has played a big part,” Summers said.

“It’s been a bit of a change of scenery.

“I was in the backline at Stawell and they were offering a forward line position so I thought I’d give it a crack.”

Summers made an instant impression at his new club when he booted 11 in the season opener.

Swifts are second on the Horsham District league ladder behind undefeated Harrow-Balmoral, which is the reigning the premiers.

Allansford’s Robbie Hare became the first Warrnambool District league player in five years to bring up 100 goals in a season when he booted six goals against Panmure.

Hare went into the match on 97 goals and had only one goal to halftime and his team struggling.

But he kicked the two he needed in the third quarter and Allansford also turned around a poor first half to record a 22-point win.

Cora Lyn’s Nathan Gardiner and Buln Buln’s Patrick Ireland are the two forwards next in line to bring up 100 goals.

Gardiner is two short of the ton after booting nine against Warragul Industrials last round.

Ireland, who plays in the neighbouring Ellinbank District league, also put himself in contention for a 100-goal season when he also booted nine against Catani.

Buln Buln is on top of the ladder and plays out-of-contention Nilma Darnum in final match of the home and away season.

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp leads the statewide goalkicking table with 120 goals for the season. Picture Yuri Kouzmin
Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp leads the statewide goalkicking table with 120 goals for the season. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Ireland, who joined Buln Buln from Gippsland league club Warragul this season, has 93 goals and will crack the ton if he can replicate the 12 he kicked against Nilma Darnum when they met earlier in the season.

Birchip-Watchem’s Ben Edwards will fall short of the 100 goals in the home and away rounds with his team having the bye in the last round of the North Central league.

Despite suffering a shock loss to out-of-contention Wycheproof-Narraport, Edwards still managed to boot seven goals to move to 97 goals for the season.

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp moved back to the overall lead with 14 goals against Mitiamo in taking him to 120 for the season.

He leads Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd by four.

Sharp and Lloyd have one round remaining for the season.

INCHING CLOSER TO CENTURY

Country footy’s 100-club is about to swell in the concluding rounds with four players in genuine contention to bring up a century of goals before finals.

Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd is poised to kick the most goals for the season with him presently sitting on 113 goals and the prospect of adding more in the remaining two matches against Nagambie and Violet Town.

Strathmerton’s Tim Looby has finished the home and away rounds in the Picola District league on 113 goals.

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp was the first to 100 goals in 2024 and also has two matches to play.

But attention has turned to who can join Lloyd, Looby and Sharp with three-figure season tallies.

After booting 12 last round, Allansford’s Robbie Hare has moved to 97 with one round to play in the Warrnambool District league.

He only has to repeat his efforts against Panmure when he booted eight to reach the ton in the final round clash.

Hare has already topped the 89 goals he kicked last year.

Swifts’ forward Paul Summers has given himself a shot at 100 goals after booting eight against reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral in the Horsham District league.

He has moved to 93 for the season with two games to play against Edenhope-Apsley and Natimuk United.

Summers joined Swifts from Wimmera league club Stawell this season and booted 11 goals on debut against Kalkee.

Nathan Gardiner celebrates a goal playing for Frankston in the VFL inn 2018.
Nathan Gardiner celebrates a goal playing for Frankston in the VFL inn 2018.

Cora Lynn’s Nathan Gardiner needs 11 goals in his last two matches against Warragul Industrials and Kilcunda Bass to bring up 100 goals in the West Gippsland league for the second season in succession.

He kicked 105 last year.

Gardiner booted nine the last time Cora Lynn played Warragul Industrials.

The road to 100 goals for Birchip-Watchem’s Ben Edwards is tougher than the others in contention.

He has 90 in the North Central league after booting seven against Wedderburn last Saturday.

Birchip-Watchem plays out-of-contention Wycheproof-Narraport before a bye in the final round.

The former South Australian kicked 87 goals last year for Birchip-Watchem.

Sea Lake-Nandaly’s Josh Jenkins has booted 46 goals from eight matches this year.

MELLINGTON LONG ODDS TO RETURN

Bears Lagoon-Serpentine is not prepared to totally rule out star forward Josh Mellington returning for its premiership push in the Loddon Valley league this season.

Mellington was denied the rare achievement of kicking 100 goals in a fourth league this season when he went down with a hamstring injury in round 10 after kicking 93 goals for the season.

Club president Greg Gadsden confirmed Mellington had undergone surgery recently.

“He had a significant injury,” Gadsden said.

“We’re holding out hope he might play again this year, but it’s probably not likely at this stage.

“It’s generally a 12-14 week injury which would put him past the grand final.

“He would have to have an incredibly good recovery and we would have to make the grand final to consider playing him.”

Josh Mellington suffered a serious hamstring injury in round 10 in his first season with Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
Josh Mellington suffered a serious hamstring injury in round 10 in his first season with Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.

Bears Lagoon-Serpentine is in the mix to reach the grand final.

It is presently sitting second with wins over other leading chances Pyramid Hill and Bridgewater and pushing reigning premier Marong to 10 points.

Mellington was overtaken in the Loddon Valley goalkicking race by Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp, who has 106 goals for the season.

Since bringing up his 100th goal Sharp has managed only six goals in his last three matches against Marong, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine and Pyramid Hill.

James Lloyd leads the statewide goalkicker list with 109 goals, one ahead of Strathmerton’s Tim Looby.

LLOYD TONS UP

Murchison-Toolamba forward James Lloyd’s equal lowest tally of goals in a match this season was still enough for him to bring up a century of goals last Saturday.

Lloyd joined Strathmerton’s Tim Looby and Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp in the 100-club when he kicked three in a draw with Shepparton East.

After previously playing with major league clubs, Shepparton Bears and Leongatha, Lloyd joined Murchison-Toolamba in 2022.

Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd, centre, has brought up 100 goals after booting three in a draw with Shepparton East. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd, centre, has brought up 100 goals after booting three in a draw with Shepparton East. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Lloyd kicked 32 goals in his first season at the club and 74 last year.

His best return in a match season is 19 against Undera in round nine.

He played in Murchison-Toolamba’s losing grand final team in his first season.

The 2024 premiership is a race in three between reigning premiers Lancaster, Murchison-Toolamba and Shepparton East.

Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s Josh Mellington remains anchored on 93 goals after suffering a hamstring injury in round 10 against Pyramid Hill.

LOOBY BRINGS UP TON

The major milestone that narrowly eluded Strathmerton’s Tim Looby last season has been ticked off in 2024.

Looby fell one short of booting 100 goals when he kicked five goals in the grand final loss to Waaia.

The former Goulburn Valley star and Vic Country representative went into last Saturday’s game against Mathoura sitting on 97 goals and made certain of the century when he finished with nine.

Strathmerton's Tim Looby brought up his century of goals in the Picola District league last Saturday. Picture: Matilda Photography
Strathmerton's Tim Looby brought up his century of goals in the Picola District league last Saturday. Picture: Matilda Photography

His 106 goals puts him back on top of the statewide leading goalkicker race.

“(Looby) has a footballing resume that rivals any country footy legend,” Strathmerton coach Tim Bramich said.

“He’s a true leader on field and off, providing plenty of leadership for our group, particularly our young kids.

“We are super proud he is part of our great club, and amazing to celebrate this outstanding achievement with him and his family.”

Looby is three ahead of Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp, who booted three goals in a loss to Pyramid Hill last Saturday.

It was Sharp’s lowest haul of goals since mid-May when he then proceeded to kick 45 goals in three matches including a season-best 20 against Mitiamo.

Looby has also kicked 20 goals in a match this season.

Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd is almost certain to join Looby and Sharp in kicking 100 goals when he moved to 97 last round.

Former Traralgon coach Jake Best kicked the most goals last Saturday when he booted 15 for Foster against Hill End in the Mid Gippsland league.

SHARPSHOOTER’S CENTURY

Bridgewater star signing Lachlan Sharp has won the race to be the first player to kick a century of goals this season.

His 100th goal, and ninth for the match, came late in the final quarter against Inglewood when he was awarded a free kick and made no mistake from less than 20 metres out.

Sharp twice kicked 100 goals for Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo league before joining Bridgewater this year.

He has taken only 11 matches to bring up the century with 68 goals coming since round eight including a season-best haul of 20.

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp booted his 100th goals on Saturday against Inglewood. Picture Yuri Kouzmin
Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp booted his 100th goals on Saturday against Inglewood. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Sharp has charged past another Loddon Valley player, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s Josh Mellington, who had his bid for a fourth century in four different leagues cruelled by a hamstring injury.

He was on 93 when he went down in round 10.

Strathmerton’s Tim Looby moved to 97 two weeks ago after a bag of 20.

But his inevitable march to 100 was stopped due to a bye last week.

The most goals Sharp has kicked in a season was 142 in a premiership-winning season at Strathfieldsaye.

With six home and away matches plus finals remaining, a new season-high haul is well within reach.

In 2022, Marong’s Brandyn Grenfell booted 154 goals that included nine against Bridgewater in the grand final.

Meanwhile, former Carlton and Adelaide star Eddie Betts booted five goals in his first match for Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens & Murray.

His bag of goals included a trademark blinder from the pocket.

It was the only match he has played this year after cameos for Whorouly, Branxholme-Wallacedale and Rumbalara in 2022.

He retired from AFL at the end of 2021 with 640 career goals.

CENTURY IN SIGHT

Strathmerton’s Tim Looby is poised to bring up the century of goals that he narrowly missed out on last season in the Picola District league.

The former Goulburn Valley star and regular Vic Country representative needed six goals in last year’s grand final to reach 100 after booting 88 in the home and away rounds.

But this season, Looby has already surpassed the 88 he kicked last year before finals with a huge bag of 20 against lowly Yarroweyah last round.

He has moved to 97 for the season and is poised to be the first player to kick 100 goals in the league on Saturday when Strathmerton plays Mathoura.

Strathmerton’s Tim Looby regularly represented Vic Country when he played for Shepparton United in the GV league. Picture Yuri Kouzmin
Strathmerton’s Tim Looby regularly represented Vic Country when he played for Shepparton United in the GV league. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Strathmerton was beaten in last year’s grand final by Waaia with Looby booting five to finish on 99 for the season.

Two players have previously kicked more than 200 goals in a Picola District league season, Waaia’s Danny Irwin in 1992 and Jerilderie’s Aaron Purcell in 2013.

There are three other players closing in on the 100 goals for the season — Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s Josh Mellington (93), Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd (91) and Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp (91).

Mellington is presently sidelined with a hamstring injury, but Sharp can edge closer to the century when Bridgewater plays Inglewood.

The Kyabram District league has a bye this weekend and Lloyd will need to wait a week before he can add to his tally.

INJURY BLOW FOR LEADING GOALKICKER

Bears Lagoon-Serpentine forward Josh Mellington’s bid to kick a century of goals in a fourth league has suffered a major setback.

After booting six goals against Pyramid Hill last Saturday to advance his tally to 93, Mellington suffered a hamstring injury and faces at least a month on the sidelines.

He is expected to be overtaken in the race to 100 goals this season by Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp and Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd, who both recorded double-digit tallies on Saturday.

Lloyd was the major mover with a bag of 19 against Undera, which is second only to Sharp’s haul of 20 as the highest kicked this season.

Josh Mellington playing for Echuca United in 2019 where he kicked more than 100 goals.
Josh Mellington playing for Echuca United in 2019 where he kicked more than 100 goals.

Lloyd has 88 for the season with Murchison-Toolamba playing seventh-placed Tallygaroopna on Saturday.

Sharp kicked his third successive double-digit haul that started with his 20 against Mitiamo on June 1.

He has followed up with 13 and 12 in the last two rounds to be two behind Lloyd.

Sharp is expected to move closer, or if not go past, the 100-mark on Saturday when Bridgewater plays Maiden Gully-YCW.

Mellington will miss games against Inglewood, Newbridge and Marong before the Bears hope he can return for the clash with Bridgewater on July 20.

The former Fremantle draftee has kicked 100 goals in the Goulburn Valley, Ovens & Murray and Murray leagues.

One of the early season pacesetters, Tallangatta’s James Breen returns from a four-match suspension for umpire abuse on Saturday.

He had 49 goals from the opening eight rounds of the season.

CENTURY IN SIGHT

The race to be the first player to kick 100 goals in 2024 has intensified with three players making ground on present statewide leader, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s Josh Mellington.

Mellington has sat on 87 goals since June 1 with the Loddon Valley league having a bye on the King’s Birthday long weekend and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine having another bye last weekend.

It enabled another Loddon Valley star Lachlan Sharp to bridge the gap along with Strathmerton’s Tim Looby and Buln Buln’s Patrick Ireland.

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp leads the statewide goalkicking table with 120 goals for the season. Picture Yuri Kouzmin
Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp leads the statewide goalkicking table with 120 goals for the season. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The trio are all within 30 goals of the century.

Mellington resumes his pursuit of a century of goals in four different leagues on Saturday when Bears Lagoon-Serpentine plays second-placed Pyramid Hill.

He kicked 10 the last time the two teams met.

Sharp followed up a season-high 20 against Mitiamo with another 13 against Calivil United last Saturday.

He has 74 goals for the season.

Former Goulburn Valley star Tim Looby has a century of goals for Strathmerton in his sights. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Former Goulburn Valley star Tim Looby has a century of goals for Strathmerton in his sights. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Looby booted a season-high 15 against Tocumwal last round to move into third place, two behind Sharp.

The other mover last round was Ireland, who kicked 13 for Buln Buln against Poowong, one better than the 12 he notched against Nilma Darnum earlier in the month.

He joined Buln Buln after playing for Warragul and Gippsland Power last year.

SHARP-SHOOTER OF LODDON VALLEY

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp has booted the biggest bag of goals in a Loddon Valley league match for more than two decades.

The former Bendigo league star for Strathfieldsaye booted a personal high of 20 goals against Mitiamo last Saturday on the same day Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s Josh Mellington kicked 17 against Maiden Gully-YCW.

Sharp’s big haul is eight short of the record held by Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s Greg Gadsen against Dunnolly in 2003.

Sharp joined Bridgewater as co-coach alongside Rick Ladson with the Mean Machine finals bound, sitting fourth on the ladder.

Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp had a day out in front of goals against Mitiamo. Picture Yuri Kouzmin
Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp had a day out in front of goals against Mitiamo. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

With his 20-goal haul, Sharp moved from 41 to 61 goals for the season and is well placed to bring up another century of goals in a season.

The 32-year-old departed Strathfieldsaye as a four-time premiership player, three-time leading goalkicker and Michelsen Medal winner.

He fell two goals short of the century last year.

The Loddon Valley league has a bye this weekend and Mellington’s march to the inevitable 100 goals for the season will have to wait a further week with Bears Lagoon-Serpentine having the bye on June 15 when the competition resumes.

BIRD’S BIG BAG

Berrigan recruit Jordan Bird is delivering on the expectation that came from his signing with Picola District league club this season.

Bird joined the Saints from metro club Pascoe Vale and booted his second double figure haul of goals this season last Saturday.

The left-footer kicked 10 in the Good Friday season opener against Tocumwal, but easily eclipsed that haul with 17 against Blighty.

Bird played the majority of the 2023 season in the Pascoe Vale reserves, polling seven votes in the league best and fairest.

Berrigan forward Jordan Bird kicked 17 goals against Blighty. Picture: Amy Batten, Big Sky Marketing
Berrigan forward Jordan Bird kicked 17 goals against Blighty. Picture: Amy Batten, Big Sky Marketing

But he sits second on the league goal kicking table with 45 for the season, three behind leader, Strathmerton’s Tim Looby.

His 17 goals has eclipsed the 15 kicked by Mathoura’s Aron Burns and Waaia’s Charlie Burrows this year.

Bird has also moved into the top-20 goalkickers in the state with Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s Josh Mellington charging to a century.

He has 70 goals for the season after another 13 against Mitiamo, which came after 12 against Calivil United the previous round.

FAMILIAR FACE HITS FORM

Alvie’s Dominic Dare has charged up the statewide goalkicking table with back-to-back hauls of 12 goals in the Colac District league.

After booting 116 goals in a premiership winning season, Alvie has returned double-digit tallies against Birregurra and Western Eagles in his last two outings.

Dominic Dare has hit form in front of goals for Alvie in the Colac District league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
Dominic Dare has hit form in front of goals for Alvie in the Colac District league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

He has 44 goals for the season and trails Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s Josh Mellington by 13 after the former Fremantle draftee kicked 12.9 in his latest match to be the first player in the state to kick more than 50 goals for the season.

Dare’s biggest haul before his two bags of 12 was six in the season opener against Colac Imperials.

He is also the co-coach of Alvie, which is on top of the ladder undefeated with seven wins.

Lorne is second on ladder with a 6-0 start to the season with the two teams to meet on June 1.

Tallygaroopna’s Brent Arho and Cora Lynn’s Nathan Gardiner also kicked 12 goals last Saturday.

MELLINGTON’S LUCK BREAK

Bears Lagoon-Serpentine full forward Josh Mellington has successfully defended a striking charge that could have brought an early end to his career.

Mellington was yellow-carded for the first quarter incident against Bridgewater last Saturday.

But rather than accepting a one-match ban with an early guilty plea that would have pushed him to within one of a career-ending tally of 16 matches, he went to the Loddon Valley league tribunal on Wednesday night.

Mellington has kicked the most goals of any player in the state with 45 this season including two bags of 15 and 10.

“The vision we had clearly showed it was a football contest,” Bears Lagoon-Serpentine president Greg Gadsden said.

“The tribunal saw it the same way.”

Josh Mellington playing for Echuca United in 2019 where he kicked more than 100 goals in a season.
Josh Mellington playing for Echuca United in 2019 where he kicked more than 100 goals in a season.

Under AFL rules, once a player has been suspended for 16 matches they are automatically deregistered.

Mellington joined the Loddon Valley club in the off-season from Benalla where he was suspended for a total of eight matches from incidents in three separate matches.

He has previously kicked a century of goals in the Goulburn Valley, Ovens and Murray and Murray leagues and 92 goals in the Kyabram District league.

“He’s an exceptional player and has exceptional talent,” Gadsden said.

“He’s been great for the young guys with his guidance and direction.

“If he plays the whole season I’ve got no doubt he will go very close (to kicking 100 goals again).”

PREMIERS BOOST

Upper Murray reigning premiers Cudgewa has even more goalkicking firepower to its ranks this season with the addition of former Tallangatta District forward Guy Telford.

Telford spent last year on the sidelines after playing at reserves level only for Kiewa-Sandy Creek in 2022.

He is a former captain of the TDFL powerhouse and booted more than 500 goals in a long stint with the club.

Telford has played the first three matches for Cudgewa and last Saturday had his most productive day in front of goals with 11 against Corryong in a massive 178-point win.

Full-forward Adam Prior booted 71 goals for Cudgewa in the Upper Murray league last year. Picture: Corryong Courier
Full-forward Adam Prior booted 71 goals for Cudgewa in the Upper Murray league last year. Picture: Corryong Courier

Also, in the Cudgewa forward line is former Ovens and Murray league star Adam Prior, who booted five against Corryong.

Prior played in his first senior premiership of his career with Cudgewa last season and also booted 71 goals.

Cudgewa is unbeaten after three rounds in the Upper Murray league which only plays 12 rounds when it dropped back to four teams at the beginning of last season.

Bright’s Cooper Thomason leads the statewide goalkicking table with 43 goals after booting seven against Goorambat.

LODDON SHOOTOUT

Loddon Valley star recruits Lachlan Sharp and Josh Mellington have settled in for a two-way shootout for the league’s goalkicking award in 2024.

The pair have joined Bridgewater and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine this season with impressive records in front of goal at major league level.

Sharp is coming off a 98-goal season for Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo league where he has won the Ron Best Medal for most goals three times, won a Michelsen Medal and played in four flags.

Lachlan Sharp booted 98 goals for Strathfieldsaye last season before joining Bridgewater.
Lachlan Sharp booted 98 goals for Strathfieldsaye last season before joining Bridgewater.

Mellington returned to his original club Benalla last season, but struggled in comparison to previous years with only 21 goals from nine games.

He is a century goalkicker in the Goulburn Valley, Ovens and Murray and Murray leagues.

Last Saturday, Sharp and Mellington both kicked 15 goals in huge wins over Inglewood and Newbridge to move to 35 goals each on the state goalkicking table.

Josh Mellington kicked 125 goals for Echuca United in 2019.
Josh Mellington kicked 125 goals for Echuca United in 2019.

In the previous two rounds, Sharp kicked 12 and eight goals and Mellington booted back-to-back bags of 10.

Bridgewater and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine meet on May 11 and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine plays reigning premier Marong on Saturday.

Brandyn Grenfell booted 154 and 110 goals in the last two years for Marong before joining Nyah Nyah West United where he has booted only 14 goals from three games.

MINOGUE MAGIC

North Albury star Josh Minogue has equalled the club’s record for the most number of goals against Wodonga Raiders in the Ovens and Murray league.

Minogue kicked 11 in a 131-point demolition job on Raiders last Saturday to equal the bag of 11 kicked by Adam Prior in 2007.

The strong-marking forward has moved to 21 goals for the season — seven behind the statewide leader, Bright’s Cooper Thomason, who leads by one from Greta’s Frazer Judd and Congupna’s Kyle Mueller.

Josh Minogue playing for Heidelberg in 2021. Picture: George Salpigtidis
Josh Minogue playing for Heidelberg in 2021. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Minogue returned to North Albury last year and won the club’s best and fairest.

He played for Heidelberg between 2019 and 2022 and was selected in the Northern Football League Team-of-the-Year in 2021 and 2022.

Damian Cupido kicked 10 goals for North Albury against Wodonga Raiders in the 2010 first semi-final.

North Albury’s biggest winning margin over Raiders is 163 points in 2007.

North Albury is undefeated heading into an Anzac Day clash against Albury only two years after claiming the wooden spoon.

GRETA GUN FIRES EARLY

Ovens and King league forwards are dining out in the early rounds, filling the top two spots on the statewide goal kicking list this season and another two players inside the top 10.

Greta’s Frazer Judd leads the way on 24 goals, including a last round haul of 15 against Tarrawingee.

Greta forward Frazer Judd. Picture: Supplied
Greta forward Frazer Judd. Picture: Supplied

He leads by one over Bright’s Cooper Thomason, who has already booted two bags of 10 goals against Benalla All Blacks and Tarrawingee.

The other O & K league forwards in the top 10 early in the season are Judd’s teammate, Cody Crawford, and Thomason’s teammate Declan Bren.

Crawford has opened the season with 18 goals following tallies of seven, five and six against Moyhu, Goorambat and Tarrawingee.

Bren is on 15 goals with a best of eight against Benalla All Blacks as a major gulf between the leading teams and the rest of the competition has already emerged.

He has joined Bright after previously playing for Myrtleford in the Ovens and Murray league.

Thomason and Judd finished first and second on the 2023 O & K goal kicking list with 90 and 86 goals respectively with Greta losing the preliminary final to Bright, which lost the grand final to Bonnie Doon by 18 points.

The only player not from the O & K league in the top four is Congupna recruit Kyle Mueller, who has been a star in the early rounds of the Murray league.

Mueller, who crossed from 2023 Goulburn Valley league runner-up Kyabram, opened the season with six against reigning premier Mulwala and followed up with bags of seven and nine in the next two games against Numurkah and Rumbalara.

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Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/sport/goalkickers-2024-ovens-and-king-duo-leads-the-way-in-early-rounds/news-story/d68357720d5068db3d0ba394b924f7d7