Woorndoo-Mortlake, Gordon, Noradjuha Quantong’s 2021 success

There are still 22 teams undefeated this season across country Victoria’s football leagues — including some teams that have not won a flag in decades.

Could 2021 be the season some long premiership droughts break?

THE premiership race is starting to heat up as leagues reach the halfway mark of the season, but several teams are staking a strong claim to be named frontrunners.

There are still 22 senior football teams undefeated across country Victoria, plus St Mary’s, whose record in the Geelong league is blemished only by a draw.

While several of those clubs have won premierships in recent seasons, others are establishing themselves as strong contenders to break droughts going back decades.

Woorndoo-Mortlake sits atop the Mininera and District Football League ladder, with both the Tigers and 2016 premier Tatyoon undefeated at 8-0.

The Tigers last won a premiership in 1972 as Woorndoo, and played finals for the first time in 16 years in 2019.

“Obviously everyone around the club is pretty excited with how we’re going,” president Will Lynch said.

“To me it is great to see we are up there and thereabouts. If you’re there or thereabouts you’re a chance of winning. It would be unbelievable for the club to win a senior flag … but in saying that, I’d like to see us stay up there or thereabouts.”

Gordon, also 8-0 in the Central Highlands league, last won a premiership in 1988.

This year’s side features former Geelong players Shannon Byrnes, who was due to play for the club last year, and James Kelly, who played in the 2002 VFL premiership under Gordon co-coach Ron Watt.

Gordon made the 2019 preliminary final, which it lost by nine points to eventual premier, Waubra. “We’ve made the prelim or grand final almost every year for the last six years,” president Peter Clifford said.

Noradjuha Quantong played in the 2019 Horsham District grand final, but has not won a flag since before the merger in 1997. The Bombers have won all nine games so far this season. “We are working hard to keep a lid on it, to be honest, and keeping people focused on being together, having a good time, and winning’s a bonus” president Andrew Rose said. He said part of the club’s success was down to depth in the list — Noradjuha Quantong reserves are also undefeated.

Other teams undefeated include Tongala, which is yet to win a premiership since joining the Murray league in 2006, Ellinbank, which won the Ellinbank and District league premiership in 1995, and Trentham which won a flag in 1994.

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