Weekly Wrap | After last week's wintery conditions, it was great to see the sun come out across most of the state for this weekend's round of Victorian country footy matches.
In the Gippsland FNL it was a case of a star shining as Gary Ablett Jnr donned the maroon and gold of the Drouin FNC in their match against Morwell. Ablett Jnr graced the same field that many of his family have in the past, including his famous father, who made his debut as a 16 year old way back in 1977 and went on to be part of the clubs 1978 premiership side. Gary Jnr kicked two goals and helped himself to 25 disposals, but it wasn't enough to help Drouin FNC get the win over 6th placed Morwell FNC, going down in a close game. 9.13 67 to 11.10 76.
There will be more focus next week in the Gippsland region when former AFL great Nathan Buckley puts on the boots and runs out with the Nilma Darnum FNC in their Ellinbank and District FNL clash with Catani FNC on Sunday. The Bombers who are currently on a 35 match winless streak will be hoping Buckley’s on and off field experience may see them sing the song after the final siren.
While on the topic of winless streaks, one of the longest current losing streaks was broken on the weekend when Meringur FNC in the Millewa FNL sang the song for the first time after 38 straight losses. The losing streak which goes all the way back to round 12 of the 2019 season, came to an end when the Roos held on against the Werrimull FNC to record a 16 point win, 12.14 86 to 10.10 70. This means there are still 31 teams yet to register a victory for this season.
On the other hand, an 18 game winning streak by the Waaia FNC was broken when they went down by 10 points to Strathmerton FNC in their Picola & District FNL match. Over in the Bendigo FNL, Sandhurst FNC also suffered their first defeat for the year going down to 2nd placed Golden Square FNC by four goals. The two losses reduces the number of undefeated teams to 15 for this year.
Speaking of goals, it was a big weekend for the forwards across country footy with 13 players kicking bags of 10 or more goals, headed by Nathalia FNC’s Liam Evans who snagged 17 in their game against Rumbalara FNC in the Murray FNL. Glenthompson Dunkeld FNC’s Thomas Waters booted 15 in the Rams 265 point win over Caramut FNC in the Mininera & District FNL while in the Upper Murray FNL, Bullioh FNC’s Ashley Murray slotted 14 in the victory over Corryong FNC. A bag of 11 by Strathfieldsaye FNC’s Lachlan Sharp (Bendigo FNL) and hauls of 10 by Woodside FNC’s (North Gippsland FNL) Michael O’Sullivan and Lachna McLeod from Panmure FNC (Warrnambool & District FNL) helped them to be part of a group of 13 forwards who all reached the 50 goal milestone this weekend.
Thirteen was also the number of goals kicked by the states leading goal kicker, taking Marong FNC’s (Loddon Valley FNL) Brandyn Grenfell to a total of 94, now only 6 goals away from being the first to reach the century mark for season 2023. Sitting second on the table is Alvie FNC’s (Colac & District FNL) Dominic Dare on 78, 1 ahead of Strathmerton FNC’s (Picola & District FNL) Tim Looby who has 77.
