Milestone and drought breaking wins highlight country footy on Saturday
Historic milestones were reached, one club ended a six-year wait while plenty of big names fired across country footy.
It was another dramatic weekend of country footy with ex-AFL players making a surprise appearance and teams making premiership statements.
There was also record-breaking milestones and drought breaking wins by clubs.
All those moments are featured on our talking points for this week.
See them below.
Pickett plays country footy
Ex-Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett pulled on the boots for Great Western on Saturday in the Mininera league as the Lions faced Moyston Willaura. Pickett, who has signed for Melton South in the Riddell League, played a one-off match, helping the side to a 69-point win.
Tigers incredible comeback
A six-goal final quarter burst has kept Albury’s season alive in the Ovens and Murray league with a two-point win over Corowa Rutherglen. The Kangaroos looked on track for their most impressive win in years, leading by 27 points at three quarter time. But Albury had other ideas, responding in the last term, to secure the valuable win 13.12 (90) to 13.10 (88). Jake Pitt kicked three goals for the Tigers with former Richmond AFL player and captain Ryan Garthwaite kicking two. The Kangaroos were led by former Richmond AFL player Kaelan Bradtke who kicked four for the losing side.
Sunbury’s six-year first
Jake Egan and Jake Sutton kicked five goals each as Sunbury smashed Ballarat by 64 points at Alfredton Recreation Reserve. It was the first time since 2019 the Lions have been able to beat the Swans in Ballarat. Sunbury has moved to fourth on the ladder with three wins and one loss.
The Power to win
Dookie United had its first win since returning to the Picola and District league after smashing Rennie by 89 points on Saturday. Kyle Tapscott kicked six goals as the Power led from start to finish to win 20.19. (139) to 8.2. (50). Dookie United is playing in the league for the first time since 2018 after re-joining from the Kyabram District league in the off-season.
Underestimate Bombers at your peril
Echuca remains the team to beat in the Goulburn Valley league, prevailing by 33 points over Shepparton on Saturday. Despite suffering an injury crisis over the past few weeks the Murray Bombers were still too strong for the Bears, overcoming the challenge with a decisive third term. Echuca turned an 18-point half time lead to a 34-point lead at the final break to continue its dominance. The Mighty Bombers are 5-0 to start the season in pursuit of a fourth straight premiership. Echuca forward Hugh Byrne kicked four goals.
Some joy for the Bulldogs
It’s been tough for Tatura with the Goulburn Valley side winless in seniors, reserves and under-18s after the first four rounds. But on Saturday the fortunes changed for the under-18 side with the Bulldogs beating Benalla by five points. It was the team’s first triumph in the age group since August 12, 2023 and ended a 24-game losing streak. Anton Basile kicked five goals in the win.
Reserves player serious injured
A Tyrendarra player was taken to hospital after being seriously injured during the club’s reserves match against Cavendish on Saturday in the South West league,
Cavendish won the game by 56 points.
“The SWDFNL Executive and all players and supporters within the league would like to wish the Tyrendarra player injured today at Cavendish all the best and we all hope for a positive outcome for him and his family,” a statement from the league said. “As a result of this the SWDFNL Executive would like to remind players and supporters the importance of having ambulance cover.”
The injury did not impact the seniors with Cavendish winning by 66 points.
Most dominant side in country footy?
Congupna has started the Murray league season in red-hot form with the defending premiers winning its first five matches in devastating style. The Road has won all matches by more than 99 points and has an average winning margin by more than 148 points. On Saturday the dominance was continued with a 136-point win over Echuca United.
Moe’s premiership warning
Moe sent a premiership statement in the Gippsland league, beating last year’s grand finalists and previously unbeaten Leongatha by 47 points. Ex-AFL players Ben Crocker, Declan Keilty, Harrison Pepper and Myles Poholke all combined for nine goals as the Lions roared past the Parrots. The Lions win was set up with a dominant second half as Moe kicked seven goals to two to end the Parrots perfect start to the season.
Club record secured
Saturday was a historic one for Tim Rieniets and the Creswick Football Netball Club. The club stalwart played his 419th game in all grades for the Saints, breaking the previous mark set by Bill Booth. Rieniets won seven best-and-fairests for the club and was part of the 2019 reserves premiership. It was a tough match for Creswick who lost by 111 points to Dunnstown.
Johnson haunts old club
Former Robinvale Euston forward Isaiah Johnson came back to haunt his club with Red Cliffs beating the Eagles by five points to end its unbeaten start to the season. He kicked two final quarter goals in the 9.11. (65) to 7.18. (60) win for the Tigers. The Tigers came back from 18 points down at three quarter time to win their third game of the season.
Magpies move to the top
For the second straight week Sea Lake Nandaly has lost in the North Central league, losing to Boort by eight points. Ex-VFL player Jhye Baddeley Kelly kicked four goals for the Magpies as Boort remained unbeaten at the top. Meanwhile, a late goal over his head from Birchip Watchem’s Tom Gibson has helped the Bulls to beat the Calder United Lions in a thriller in the same competition. Former VFL player of the season Nick Rippon kicked four goals for the Bulls in the 14.5. (89) to 13.9. (87) win.
Saints end losing streak
Nyora has its first win in more than a year and a half after beating Poowong by 45 points in the Ellinbank league. The Saints, winless in 21 matches, ended the drought by kicking 10 goals to five in the first half to open up a 29-point lead at the main break. Nyora were able to hold on in the second half and extend the margin to record a much-needed win in seniors. Deputy vice-captain Paul Delaroche kicked six goals in the win.
Leading goalkickers for the season
Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem – 32
Jason Wells, Longwarry – 32
Duane Haebich, Goorambat – 31
Brady Bartlett, Milawa – 31
Liam Evans, Nathalia – 31
Cooper Thomason, Bright – 28
Keith Tallent, Berrigan – 27
Corey Smith, North Wangaratta – 27
Dylan Weir, Merrivale – 26
Frazer Judd, Greta – 26
Kyle Mueller, Congupna – 24
Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Boort – 24
Robbie Hare, Allansford – 23
Connor Newnham, Kiewa Sandy Creek – 23
Kieran Barker, Coleraine – 23
Noah Pegoraro, Mildura – 23
James Regan, Trentham – 22
James Lloyd, Murchison Toolamba – 22
Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater – 22
Nicholas Harding, Simpson – 22
Nick Nagel, MDU – 22
Jirra Moffatt, Bruthen – 22
Beau Wheeler, King Valley – 21
Cody Crawford, Greta – 21
Brayden McHugh, Longwarray – 21
Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson, Deniliquin Rovers – 20
Dean Limbach, Talbot – 20
Joel Ottavi, Buninyong – 20
Jacob Eats, Kaniva Leeor United – 19
Kaine Parsons, Tallangatta – 19
Marc Holt, Lang Lang – 19
Kane Grinstead-Jones, Yinnar – 19
Dean Macdonald, Yallourn Yallourn North – 19
Michael Mummery, Rumbalara – 19
Lewis McShane, Shepparton – 19
Jake Wilson, Portland – 19
Ben Crocker, Moe – 19
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