Weekly Wrap | Several leagues had a mid season bye this weekend but that didn't stop some big stories brewing across country footy which included a team being stripped of all their 2023 points, a coach being sacked, a new club named for 2024 and 5 clubs losing for the first time.
As we write this edition of the weekly wrap, the Swan Reach FNC in the Omeo and District FNL have lost all their 2023 match points due to allegedly having incorrect player point allocations for matches completed so far for this season. The Swans were sitting atop of the OMDFNL ladder before the bye but had also lost to the bottom side Lindenow South FNC the week previously, a position they now occupy. There will be still more information to come regarding the exact nature of the decision and any more possible ongoing consequences for the remainder of this season.
In the Bendigo FNL, Kangaroo Flat FNC coach Nathan Johns, was sacked from the coaching position following the outcome of his tribunal appearance on Wednesday night. Johns faced two charges, with both relating to his conduct towards the umpires in the game against Sandhurst FNC. He was suspended for four games after being found guilty of behaving in an abusive, insulting and threatening manner towards andumpire as well as intentionally making contact with an umpire. Kangaroo Flat FNC assistant coach Jeremy Hayes will coach the club for the remainder of the season.
As previously mentioned in an earlier edition of the Weekly Wrap, the merger between Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL clubs Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park will take place for the 2024 season. This week, the clubs have officially announced they will be called the Maryborough Giants Football Netball Club. Whilst a new logo has been released, footy jumper and netball dress designs are still to be finalised.
This week saw some tight games take place including 4 one point games and 3 draws. Three of the 1 point games also resulted in 3 clubs suffering their first loss for the year. In total this round saw 6 first time losers for 2023, including an 18 game winning streak for Gordon FNC in the Central HIghlands FNL coming to an end at the hands of Skipton FNC, who kicked more accurately to end up victors, 8.7 55 to 7.12 54.
In the Ellinbank & District FNL, Buln Buln FNC were first time losers going down in a low scoring affair against Ellinbank FNC, 3.6 24 to 4.1 25. Wandin FNC in the Outer East FNL Premier Divisions also went down by a point in a shock loss to 7th placed Mount Evelyn FNC, 7.14 56 to 8.10 58. Other clubs to taste defeat for the first time this year wereKaringal FNC, Millicent FNC and Shepparton East FNC.
Remarkably one of the 3 draws took place in the Central Highlands FNL match between Beaufort FNC (11.5 71 )and Waubra FNC (10.11 71). What’s remarkable about this draw is that both clubs went into the round hoping to notch up their first win for the season, however both now only come away with 2 points each, and still remain winless so far in 2023. In Beaufort FNC’s case, this is now their second draw in the past 4 weeks as they chase that elusive first win for the year.
Boisdale Briagolong FNC’s Caleb Calwyn and Isaiah Johnson from Robinvale Euston FNC both kicked 3 goals each to join the ranks of 50 goal kickers so far this year, which totals 17 at this point in time. Ironically 17 is also the biggest individual bag of goals kicked this weekend which was achieved by Tomas Rennie from Stanhope FNC who had a day out in his clubs big Kyabram and District FNL win over Violet Town FNC. However it wasn’t enough to crack into the Top 20 list which is still headed by Marong FNC’s Brandyn grenfell who kicked 10 of his own hit 77 goals for the season and extend his lead over Tim Looby from Strathmerton FNC (Picola & District FNL) and Anthony Zelencich from Carisbrook FNC (Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL) who both stay on 64 after their league sahd a mid season bye last weekend.
