Weekly Wrap | All roads led to Nilma Darnum this weekend where former AFL superstar Nathan Buckley was pulling on the boots to help the Nilma Darnum FNC in their match against Catani FNC in their round 16 Ellinbank and District FNL clash.
In front of a healthy crowd, Buckley donned the red and black of the Bombers but unfortunately only lasted until the 10 minute mark of the first quarter, injuring his hamstring. Despite this he lent his skills and talents to the coaching staff to try and help conjure up their first win of the 2023 season and also break a 34 game losing streak. Alas this wasn’t to be, as despite leading by 19 points at ½ time, Catani FNC came from behind to win a 2 point thriller, 14.8 92 to 13.12 90.
This wasn’t the case for the Girgarre FNC in the Kyabram and District FNL who were finally able to register their first 2023 win when they had a surprise 31 point win over 8th placed Tallygaroopna FNL in their round 12 clash. On the other side of the coin, was Inverloch Kongwak FNC who lost their first match in the West GIppsland FNL for this season when they went down to fourth placed Nar Nar Goon FNC by 18 points, 10.9 69 to 7.9 51.
Only a few weeks ago we mentioned the decision by the Omeo and District FNL to strip Swan Reach FNC of their points from games earlier in the season due to breaching their player points allocation, meaning they went from the top of the ladder to the bottom. This weekend added even further pain to their season when they were forced to forfeit this weekend's game against Swifts Creek FNC due to a lack of available players. Last week it also emerged that a finals bound club in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean FNL, are also under scrutiny for potentially breaching player points which could also see them lose points and possibly a chance at the 2023 premiership.
In the North East of the state, there have been discussions beginning around the possible creation of a new FNL for the 2024 season. A meeting was held with multiple clubs from within the current Kyabram and District, Picola and District and Murray FNL’s in a bid to form a new league to support local district clubs and football in the Goulburn Murray region. The proposal would see the new league administered by the Murray FNL and would allow clubs such as Tocumwal FNC, who moved to the Murray FNL due to the PDFNL choosing not to be affiliated with AFL Victoria, an opportunity to play in a new affiliated league in 2024 and also play against similar district clubs. There is certainly more to play out in this space as it has been a talking point in the region for a while.
This weekend saw 3 more forward reach the 50 goal mark for the season, with Yarrawonga FNC’s (Ovens & Murray FNL) Leigh Williams, Traralgon FNC’s (Gippsland FNL) Brett Eddy and Thorpdale FNC’s (Mid Gippsland FNL) Matthew Powell all achieving the feat. Whilst on the theme of feats, kicking 20 goals in a game is certainly one of those, which was achieved by Ethan Redcliffe from the Mitta United FNC in the Tallangatta District FNL match against Wahgunyah FNC. This wasn’t the only huge bag kicked this weekend with 17 players kicking hauls of 10 or more, including 19 by Finley FNC’s (Murray FNL) Tom Lang, 18 by Alvie FNC’s (Colac & District FNL) Dominic Dare and 16 from Natte Bealiba FNC’s (Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL) Will Holt. Former Port Adelaide FC and Western Bulldogs FC player Jackosn Trengrove also kicked 10 for Mooroopna FNC in the Goulburn Valley FNL.
As we race to get our first 100 goal kicker for season 2023, a cruel fate has fallen on our leader, Marong FNC’s Brandyn Grenfell. Grenfell, who has led the Top 20 tally for most weeks this season, needed 6 on the weekend to be the first to hit the century, but was only able to snare 5 leaving him stranded on 99. The irony is that Marong FNC now has a bye for this upcoming weekend, which leaves the door ajar for Dominic Dare and Ethan Redcliffe who after their big bags on the weekend are second and third on the table with 96 and 92 goals respectively. The race to be the first to 100 now falls to them this weekend.
