The Weekly Wrap | A fairly quiet week in terms of off field matters in Victoria country footy with the biggest talking point coming courtesy of a mid week score review in the North Central FNL.
Last weekend's one point victory by Donald FNC over Birchip Watchem FNC has now been amended to a draw after video evidence revealed that two points scored by Birchip Watchem FNC during the third quarter had not been recorded on one of the goal umpire's scorecards. The heavy rain during the match had damaged the scorecard, leading to the discrepancy. In a positive outcome, both clubs have accepted the revised result, with the official score now recorded as 10.4 64 to 9.10 64.
The much publicised Carlton Draught match in the Loddon Valley FNL hit an unexpected hurdle during the week. The anticipated clash between former AFL teammates Gary Rohan and Gary Ablett Jnr was changed after it was determined that Rohan's current playing status saw classified him as a seven point player under the AFL Victoria player points system. With Bridgewater FNC already near its limit, his inclusion would have pushed the club over its allocation. Ablett, classified as a four point player, was still able to take his place for Newbridge FNC, while former St Kilda and North Melbourne midfielder Nick Dal Santo was nominated to step in as Rohan's replacement for Bridgewater FNC.
Turning attention to on field matters and congratulations must go to North Warrnambool FNC champion Matthew Wines who etched his name into Hampden FNL history this weekend.. Wines played his 361st senior game to become the competition's all time games record holder. The milestone was celebrated in style as the Eagles defeated Warrnambool FNC 19.18 132 to 7.7 49.
The aforementioned Loddon Valley FNL clash between Bridgewater FNC and Newbridge FNC lived up to expectations. Bridgewater FNC prevailed by 18 points, 13.17 95 to 11.10 76, with Nick Dal Santo contributing a goal in the victory. At the other end, Gary Ablett Jnr rolled back the clock with three goals and a performance ending up with him named in the best players for his side..
Cold and wet conditions swept across much of Victoria during the weekend, helping keep the statewide average winning margin to 50 points per game. Despite the difficult conditions, there were still some enormous scores posted. Dartmoor FNC produced the highest score of the weekend, kicking 34.14 218 against Heywood FNC's 4.2 26 in the South West District FNL.
Lindenow FNC also cracked the double century in the East Gippsland FNL with 33.14 212 against Paynesville FNC. Gisborne FNC continued its strong form in the Bendigo FNL, piling on 31.17 203 against Kangaroo Flat FNC, while Woorndoo Mortlake FNC matched that total in the Mininera & District FNL with 31.17 203 against Great Western FNC.
At the opposite end of the scale, scoring proved almost impossible in several matches. Natimuk United FNC managed just 0.4 4 against Pimpinio FNC in their Horsham & District FNL clash, while Ballan FNC was restricted to just 1.1 7 against Bungaree FNC in the Central Highlands FNL.
One of the more unusual scorelines of the season came this weekend in the Warrnambool & District FNL where Timboon FNC defeated Panmure FNC by 23 points despite kicking a remarkable 9.31 85. The Demons generated forty scoring shots for the afternoon but converted just nine goals, while Panmure finished with the far more accurate 9.8 62.
The wet weather also helped create some close finishes with three drawn matches across the state this weekend. Poor kicking proved costly in two of them. Picola United FNC and Dookie United FNC could not be separated in the Picola & District FNL, finishing locked together on 11.6 72 despite Picola United FNC registering 22 scoring shots to 17. In the Mid Gippsland FNL, Hill End FNC and Newborough FNC fought out a low-scoring draw, both finishing on 21 points after Hill End kicked 3.3 and Newborough managed 2.9.
The Murray FNL also produced a dramatic finish. Trailing by fifteen points at three-quarter time, Echuca United FNC stormed home with 3.4 in the final term while restricting Congupna FNC to just 1.1. A late goal tied the scores with both sides ending on 10.9 69.
Along with the draws, three games were also decided by a solitary point.
In the Tallangatta & District FNL, ninth-placed Mitta United FNC produced one of the upsets of the season by defeating fifth placed Chiltern FNC 12.11 83 to 12.10 82. North Albury FNC almost let a victory slip in the Ovens & Murray FNL after kicking 1.5 in the final quarter but held on to defeat Corowa Rutherglen FNC 8.13 61 to 9.6 60. Gordon FNC also edged Learmonth FNC by a single point in the Central Highlands FNL, winning 6.6 42 to 6.5 41.
Several significant winning streaks came to an end this weekend, including the two longest active winning runs in Victorian country football. Wangaratta Rovers FNC saw its eighteen game winning streak snapped in the Ovens & Murray FNL, going down at home to Myrtleford FNC by fourteen points, while Mount Pleasant FNC's seventeen game run ended in the Heathcote & District FNL at the hands of seventh placed Huntly, 10.13 73 to 3.13 31.
Bullioh FNC also suffered its first defeat in twelve matches in the Upper Murray FNL. Elsewhere, Waaia FNC lost for the first time this season after being defeated by Barooga FNC in the Picola & District FNL, while Nagambie FNC also suffered its first loss after opening the season with eight straight victories. As a result, Wandin FNC in the Outer East FNL Premier Division and Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC in the Tallangatta & District FNL now share the longest active winning streak in country Victoria with eighteen consecutive victories.
Several losing streaks also came to an end. Hepburn FNC finally broke through after ten consecutive defeats, getting the points against Beaufort FNC in the Central HIghlands FNL, while in the Central Murray FNL it was Balranald FNC which celebrated its first victory following seven straight losses. In the Bellarine FNL, Portarlington FNC achieved a milestone of a different kind, recording its first victory over Barwon Heads FNC since Round 2, 2010 and its first home win over them since 2009.
The forwards again enjoyed a productive weekend despite the conditions. Ty Deans from Westerns FNC and Peter Harrison from Lindenow FNC each kicked twelve goals. North Warrnambool FNC's Charlie McKinnon booted eleven in his side's record breaking afternoon, while Ayden Gras (Anglesea FNC), Charlie Haley (Dunnstown FNC), Christian Howlett (Dartmoor FNC) and Pat McKenna (Gisborne FNC ) all finished with ten goals.
The fifty goal club welcomed several new members this weekend. Pyramid Hill FNC's Jhye Baddeley-Kelly moved to 55 goals after a nine goal haul, while Christian Howlett, and Moe FNC's Myles Poholke both reached 52. Jack Fenner from Laharum FNC advanced to 51 goals, while Charlie McKinnon, Lachie Constable and Liam Evans all reached the half century mark.
At the top of the overall leaderboard, Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC's Guy Telford continues to lead the way with 73 goals after another eight goal performance. Cowwarr FNC's Keenan Hughes remains second on 66 goals, narrowly ahead of Carisbrook FNC's Tim Rinaldi on 65 and Foster FNC's Brett Eddy on 64. Lachie Sharp from Bridgewater FNC rounds out the top five on 56 goals as the race towards the century mark continues to gather momentum as we head deeper into the season.
