Another week with plenty of off field news swirling around country footy in Victoria.
Earlier this year, North Central FNL clubs, Wycheproof-Narraport FNC and Nullawil FNC announced they would merge to form a new entity for the 2025 season. This week it was announced the newly merged club would be known as the Calder United Lions for next season. Next on the agenda is the confirmation of what the club colours will be as well as new jumper design.
This week saw Goulburn Valley FNL club Mooroopna FNC fined $25,000 as a result of errors with their player payments after an investigation that begun earlier this year. Half of the $25,000 figure has been suspended after the investigation which focussed on the 2022 and 2023 seasons. It’s interesting to note that the club was not over the salary cap limit during those seasons, but the fine was due to breaches in terms of paperwork errors that were associated with player payments during this time.
In the Gippsland region there was also a meeting between the Mid Gippsland and North Gippsland FNL’s to discuss the ongoing structure of football in these areas, with one suggestion being a merger between the two leagues to develop a two tiered competition. The long term sustainability of junior competitions within the leagues was also a topic of discussion and remains a watch this space as the year continues.
While no longer a Victoria country football club after moving from the Riddell and District FNL at the end of last season, the Western Rams FNC have finally ended the longest local footy losing streak of 78 games this weekend. This mantle now moves over to Bendigo FNL club Maryborough FNC who sit on 54 straight losses after going down by 147 points to Castlemaine on the weekend. In the Outer East FNL Division 2 competition, Poweltown FNC ended a 7 game losing streak which included two 200+ point defeats and a forfeit to start the year. The 5 point win over Yarra Junction FNC has now made it 8 loses in a row for the Eagles. Five winning streaks also ended this weekend, which included the 14 game consecutive winning run of South Warrnambool FNC coming to an end after a 70 point loss to second placed North Warrnambool FNC.
And for reasons unknown, a senior football match was abandoned this weekend in the Picola and District FNL, when the game between Waaia FNC and Deniliquin Rovers FNC was called off during the final quarter. At this stage it is still unclear as to why the umpires sent both teams from the field. Waaia FNC were leading comfortably at the time the decision was made to bring the game to an abrupt halt.
Former Fremantle Docker David Mundy has finally tasted success with his former club Seymour FNC in his third outing for the club this year. After experiencing a 3 and 6 point loss so far, he was finally able to sing the club song after a 20 point win over Goulburn Valley FNL rivals Mansfield FNC. Two Collingwood FC premiership teammates were reunited in the Gippsland FNL when Nathan Brown joined his teammate and Wonthaggi FNC coach, Jarryd Blair as the Power defeated Sale FNC 14.13 97 to 7.6 48. Former Hawthorn FC dual premiership player Matt Suckling pulled on the Tumbarumba FNC jumper in the Upper Murray FNL for their clash against Bullioh FNC on Saturday. His appearance had a big impact on his teammates as Tumba managed to hold on for a thrilling 11.11 77 to 10.11 71 win, reversing two earlier season losses the Kangaroos have had against Bullioh this season.
Ten more forwards had big days out this weekend, including the second biggest haul of goals for 2024 being registered. Murchison-Toolamba FNC’s James Lloyd managed 19 majors in his team's 161 point win over Undera FNC, 30.12 192 to 5.1 31. Staying in the Kyabram and District FNL, Shepparton East FNC’s Jake Sutherland steered through 15 goals in his side's 253 point demolition of Violet Town FNC. While the North Gippsland FNL saw Woodside FNC teammates, Ryan Foat and Michael O’Sullivan share 24 of their side's 45 goals as they ran away 253 point winners over Gormandale FNC. Both managed to kick 12 goals each.
Seven more forwards have now joined the 50 goal club for this season, while the race to be the first to get to 100 goals has tightened this week with outright leader Josh Mellington from Bears Lagoon Serpentine FNC only managing 6 on the weekend to move onto 93. Lloyd’s bag of 19 has now catapulted him to second place with 88 goals, while Mellington’s fellow Loddon Valley FNL forward, Bridgewater FNC’s Lachlan Sharp kicked a dozen himself this weekend to move to third place with a season total of 86 so far. So finally will we have our first 100 goal kicker after next weekend's games?
