Weekly Wrap | Whilst last week saw a stand alone game in the Colac and District FNL be the first game of the 2023 Victorian country football season, this week 18 leagues began their campaigns for the year.
After uncertainty last year coming out of 2 Covid-19 impacted seasons, there were no such issues for the start this time around apart from a general concern across the state for clubs having enough players for the year.
Unfortunately we have lost some clubs for this year: going into recess are Corowa Rutherglen FNC in the Ovens & Murray FNL, Quambatook FNC as well as Federals FNC from the Upper Murray FNL. Rushworth FNC in the Kyabram & District FNL and Yea in the Outer East FNL will continue through the 2023 season without senior grades of football, but plowing ahead with netball and junior grades as they look to rebuild for 2024.
But enough doom and gloom.
There was plenty of action across the 85 senior games that took place for week 1. Former Brownlow medalist and Collingwood FC premiership player Dane Swan laced up the boots for the Western Rams FNC in the Riddell and District FNL. Unfortunately his efforts were not enough for the Rams to notch up a win as they went down 2.4 (16) to Melton Central's FNC 11.6 (72). This loss extends their losing streak to 53 games.
More former AFL stars were on display in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean FNL seeing a match up of former St Kilda teammates Paddy Ryder and Dean Kent lining up for Devon Meadows FNC, taking on former Pie and Lion Dayne Beams and ex-Roo Ryan Bastinac for Pearcedale FNC. It was Devon Meadows FNC in control all day with Kent having over 40 possessions and Ryder chiming in with a goal as they ran out 10 goal winners 14.15 (99) to 5.7 (37).
Staying in the MPNFNL, the match between Karingal FNC and Mornington FNC was unfortunately abandoned during the second quarter when a Karingal player was knocked out and suffered a suspected broken collarbone. Due to the time it took for an ambulance to arrive, the game was not able to continue.
This weekend saw the first draw for season 2023 in the Gippsland FNL where inaccurate kicking from Maffra FNC 12.15 (87) saw them equal with Bairnsdale 13.9 (87) at the final siren. Irrewarra Beeac FNC’s Cam Parker had a chance to win the game after the siren but missed, meaning South Colac FNC won the Colac and District FNL 2022 grand final rematch by a single point, 10.5 (65) to 10.4 (64). The last kick of the day by Mulwala FNC’s Charley McKenna saw the Lions hold on against Moama FNC in their exciting Murray FNL clash, 9.10 (64) to the Magpies 9.8 (62).
For the close games there were also a couple of big wins taking place as well. In the Geelong and District FNL it was Bell Post Hill FNC having an 157 point win over Anakie FNC 25.16 (166) to 1.3 (9), while in the Murray FNL it was Deniliquin FNC keeping Rumbalara FNC to a single point, while kicking 22.19 (151) themselves.
A couple of forwards started the season on fire with Rennie FNC’s Chase Strawhorn leading the way with 13 majors in their match against Blighty FNC in the Picola and District FNL. Over in the Loddon Valley FNL it was Joshua Martin snagging 12 in Bridgewater FNC’s 104 point win over Mitiamo, 20.18 (138) to 5.4 (34). These two head the overall season list after the first round, with Alvie FNC’s Levi Dare sitting third with 11 majors, having played in the Colac and District FNL season opener last weekend as well as the round match this weekend.
