Weekly Wrap | All leagues are now officially in action for the 2024 season after the completion of this weekend's matches.
Round one in the Mininera and District FNL saw a grand final rematch between last year's premiers Tatyoon FNC and Woorndoo Mortlake FNC. This time the result was reversed with Woorndoo Mortlake FNC running out 22 point winners, reversing their 13 point loss in last season's decider. Another league starting this week with a grand final rematch was in the Upper Murray FNL where reigning premiers Cudgewa FNC faced off against Bullioh FNC. It was a much tighter affair this time around with Bullioh FNC pushing the premiers right to the end with Cudgewa FNC holding on for a five point win in the end, as opposed to their 94 point demolition in last year's grand final.
Over in the Wimmera FNL there was a successful start for the newly merged club, Southern Mallee Giants FNC. The new entity, which came about after a merger of Jeparit Rainbow and Southern Mallee Giants and the end of last season, had a huge first up win over Warrack Eagles FNC by 129 points. In the Kyabram and District FNL newly returned from recess Rushworth FNC had their first win for the season, breaking an 11 game losing streak, downing Longwood FNC by 9 points, 13.8 86 to 11.11 77.
On the topic of losing streaks being broken, the 2024 season continues to bring some joy to clubs who have been on the end of a significant number of losses and this week is no exception. In the Tallangatta and District FNL Wahgunyah FNC players and supporters have finally been able to sing the club song after 40 consecutive losses that stretched all the way back to round 8 in 2021, 1036 days in total. Former Docker, Sun and Demon Harley Bennell kicked 6 goals to help guide the Lions to a 9 point win over Dederang Mount Beauty FNC 15.8 98 to 12.17 89.
Staying in the same league former Magpie and Brownlow Medalist Dane Swan kicked a goal on the final term to help Tallangatta FNC hold on for a 1 point win over Rutherglen FNC. This week also saw former Geelong and Port Adelaide player Steven Motlop make his Hampden league debut for the North Warrnambool Eagles FNC.
Besides Wahgunyah, there were three other significant losing streaks that came to an end this weekend as well. In the Murray FNL, Rumbalara FNC celebrated for the first time in 39 games with their first win since July 2021 coming on the back of an 81 point win over Echuca United FNC. In the Horsham and District FNL Laharum FNC ended a run of 24 straight defeats with a 21 point win over Kalkee FNC while Rye FNC in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean FNL Div 2 competition had a 26 point victory, 16.14 110 to Hasting FNC’s 12.12 84 to break their 22 game losing streak.
This week saw our first drawn games for 2024 with Phillip Island FNC and Cora Lynn FNC in the West Gippsland FNC unable to be separated at the final siren on 12.7 79 apiece. Benalla FNC and Shepparton United FNC in the Goulburn Valley FNL, also ended their game both tied on 8.12 60 when time ran out. While four games across the state were also decided by 1 point, this weekend saw 3 leagues all average 100+ point winning margins for the round which is concerning at this early stage of the year. Division 1 in the Outer EastFNL had the highest with an average winning margin of 130 points, followed by the Loddon Valley FNL (127 points) and the Heathcote and District FNL (100 points). Both the Omeo and District FNL and Picola and District FNL also had over 80 point average winning margins from the weekend's round of matches.
This round of matches saw 11 forwards kick more than 10 goals with James Lloyd from Murchison-Toolamba FNC in the Kyabram and District FNL and Lachlan Sharp Bridgewater FNC in the Loddon Valley FNL both the standouts, as they both helped themselves to a dozen goals each in their matches. Two former AFL players in Aaron Edwards (Eagles, Kangaroos and Tigers) now lining up for Healesville FNC and ex Docker Josh Mellington patrolling the forward line for Bears Lagoon Serpentine FNC snagged 10 goal hauls too. Our overall goal kicking leader across the state is Bright FNC’s Cooper Thomason on 28, closely followed by Greta FNC’s Frazer Judd and Congupna FNC’s Kyle Mueller both equal on 27.
