AROUND THE GROUNDS
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The Southern Football League took on Riddell District Football League (RDFL) at Romsey on Saturday and in a controversial ending, went down by three points.
Leading by 19 points with a quarter to play, Southern looked in control, but to the RDFL’s credit, they stormed home, kicking the final three goals of the game. When the final siren sounded, the scoreboard had Southern leading by one-point.
But after the goal umpires conferred post-game, it was decided that the scoreboard was wrong and scores were in fact tied. This saw the game go to extra time – with teams playing five minutes each way.
Southern kicked the first major of extra time, but the RDFL booted two majors in the second five-minute period to claim a famous, controversial win, 12.12 (84) to 11.15 (81).
Jake Mullen (five goals) and Chris Carey were dominant for Southern.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN
The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL) has booked a ticket to the biggest stage in country football with a resounding 41-point victory over Ovens and Murray in the AFL Victoria Community Championships at Rosebud.
The Sharks were outplayed early, but settled in the second quarter, before producing a brilliant display after half time. They kicked 12 goals to three after the main break to rise to the number-two ranking in the state, 16.16 (112) to 10.11 (71).
The Sharks will now take on Northern, who defeated Geelong, for the number-one ranking in community football next year.
Coach Chris Holcombe was delighted with the effort of his team, who looked stunned after the visitors bright start.
“They (O&M) were fantastic early, but I thought we wrestled back control in the second quarter and then capitalised on that momentum by putting the score on the board after half time,” Holcombe said.
“Everything ended up okay, but the pressure is on early in games like this and not everything goes to plan. Once things settled, I thought we showed the way we wanted to play and got things back on our terms. I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players.”
The Sharks had many fine contributors, but none better than Bonbeach superstar Shane McDonald who won the VCFL Medal for a mesmerising performance up forward. The Sharks needed a spark in the third quarter and the 33-year-old provided it – ending the day with a match-winning six-goal haul. Harry Prior was also instrumental in the ruck, using his bulk, size and mobility to be the best big man on the ground.
Holcombe was personally excited to take the MPNFL back to the brink of the number-ranking in the state.
“I’m chuffed with the whole thing, very appreciative in the first place to coach this group but also proud that we’ve made it back to the number-one game next year,” he said.
“But the players are the ones who commit, and put their bodies on the line, and I’m just along for the journey.”
In the Under 18s, the Sharks went down by 23-points, 9.11 (65) to 6.6 (42).
There was some local footy played across the MPNFL on Saturday, with Brendon Goddard making a special appearance for Pearcedale in their Division 2 clash against Chelsea at home.
But not even the presence of the former AFL champ, who played 334 games in a glittering career with both St Kilda and Essendon, could prevent the Dales from finding much form, going down by triple-figures, 25.14 (164) to 8.6 (54).
The home side were blown away after a nine-goal opening term from the visitors, and struggled for any fluency in their game.
Goddard slotted a goal in his cameo appearance, while Jahron Ostrom battled hard for the home side.
SOUTH EASTERN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
South Eastern Women’s Football (SEWF) has proven itself to be one of the top leagues in the state after a 52-point victory over the Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) in the 2019 AFL Victoria Community Championships.
SEWF gained the early ascendency with the aid of a two-to-three-goal breeze in the first quarter at Moorabbin as Sarah McNamara, Vicki Sanford and Jess Johnstone got busy.
Chloe Hunt got scoring underway, with Olivia Aing and Jamie Head kicking SEWF out to a 21-point lead at quarter time. SEWF extended its lead out to 24 points at half time before a four-goal to zero third term put the game beyond doubt.
Tahlia Fellows and Cass Meads joined Hunt and Aing as third-quarter goal scorers, while Jess Baguley was running a tight ship in defence.
SNFL played the game out hard, reducing the margin slightly in the final term, but SEWF was a well-deserved winner, 11.12 (78) to 4.2 (26). Eastern Devil Sarah McNamara was awarded best on ground honours, while Chloe Hunt, Jess Baguley and Olivia Aing impressed.
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
The Gippsland League fell short of the Central Murray Football League in Cohuna on Saturday, in an epic battle between the 11th and 12th ranked leagues in Victoria.
Despite Gippsland kicking more goals, Central Murray came away winners, 11.19 (85) to 12.4 (76).
Gippsland started strongly and held a nine-point lead at the first break as they took their chances in front of goal, highlighted by Chris Dunne snagging a pair of goals in the first stanza.
The second quarter saw Central Murray fight its way back and take control with five goals to two.
At the main break, Gippsland trailed 8.8 (56) to 7.3 (45).
Central Murray continued their push in the third quarter, slamming on three goals in a row to lead by over five goals. With a quarter to play, Central Murray held an 11.14 (80) to 8.4 (52) lead.
As Central Murray continued to miss shots on goal, Gippsland remained in the game and bravely fought their way back into the contest – despite a series of costly skill errors.
With Russell Cowan and Matt Rennie doing all they could, along with Brayden McCarrey and Chris Dunne (four goals each) firing up forward, Gippsland got back into the contest, but ultimately fell short by nine points.
