More former AFL players graced the country footy fields this weekend.
In the Ellinbank and District FNL, Brownlow Medallist and Collingwood premiership player Dane Swan pulled on the jumper for Nyora FNC in their match against Lang Lang FNC. Whilst Swan managed four goals, it wasn't to be enough as the Lang Lang Tigers ran out comfortable 66-point winners in the clash.
Meanwhile, in the Goulburn Valley FNL, former Melbourne player and current Collingwood development coach Neville Jetta laced up the boots for Tatura FNC in their game against Echuca FNC. Jetta’s influence wasn’t able to stop Echuca cruising to a 44-point win.
Former Carlton and Adelaide star Eddie Betts made another country footy appearance, this week with Branxholme-Wallacedale FNC in their South West District FNL clash against Cavendish FNC. While Betts starred, kicking 6.3 out of Branxholme-Wallacedale’s total of 8.5 53, it wasn’t enough with the Saints going down to Cavendish who managed 14.11 95 to run out 42-point victors.
There were plenty of close games this weekend with none closer than the draw between Berwick Springs FNC and Gembrook Cockatoo FNC in the Outer East FNL - Division 1 match. The final siren saw both teams locked on 12.11 83 apiece.
Three other games were decided by the smallest possible margin. For the second week in a row, inaccurate kicking cost a side a on-point loss. This time it was Longwarry FNC in the Ellinbank & DIstrict FNL who kicked a wayward 7.17 59 to lose to Buln Buln FNC who managed a more accurate 9.6 60.
Whilst it wasn't a one-point game, a goal after the siren by Flynn Young from Grovedale FNC in the Geelong FNL gave the Tigers a thrilling two-point win against Leopold FNC. After being behind by four points when Leopold goaled in the final minutes, Young won a free kick for holding the ball 15 metres from goal just before the siren and then duly slotted the match winner after the final siren sounded.
Staying in the Geelong region, was this week's biggest winning score and margin which took place in the Bellarine FNL where Barwon Heads FNC piled on 40.24 264 to run out 240 point winners over Portarlington FNC. Charlie Hurst lead the way with 10 goals in the match, but the biggest bag of goals for the weekend came from Gol Gol FNC’s Adam Thomson who slotted 16 in their 181-point win over Meringur FNC in the Millewa FNL.
Covid-19 had further impact across this weekend's games with the Mininera & District FNL being the victim this week.
Woorndoo Mortlake FNC announced on Wednesday afternoon it would be cancelling all upcoming footy and netball games against Tatyoon FNC due to the impacts Covid was having on its club.
Later in the week, Hawkesdale Macarthur FNC also made the decision to cancel its games against the Ararat Eagles FNC due to Covid-related concerns. This follows last weekend where the Ballarat Football League called off a reserve grade match between Ballarat FNC and Melton FNC with the former unable to field a side.
In the Ovens and King FNL, a game was also abandoned, not due to Covid, but due to an injury sustained by a Tarrawingee FNC player in their game against North Wangaratta FNC and an ambulance being required to attend. Given the time taken for this to take place, the match was officially abandoned with both teams sharing the points. This is the second time for the season that Tarrawingee FNC has been involved in an abandoned match due to an injury sustained during a game.
This weekend's rounds also dovetailed on similar issues from last week with another decision being made regarding a club losing points for breaching player registration requirements. This time, AFL Barwon were the ones to announce a decision regarding Lorne FNC’s breach of player points in their game against Birregurra FNC from the previous weekend in the Colac and District FNL. Lorne FNC have been stripped of the 4 points from their win with those points now awarded to Birregurra.
A dozen players kicked 10 or more goals this weeked, including Natte Bealiba FNC’s Danny Brewster in the Maryborough Castlemaine FNL, who kicked 11 in the match taking him to the top of the Victorian country goal kicking tally with 53, also becoming one of the first first to reach 50 plus goals for the season.
Close behind is Brandyn Grenfell from Marong FNC in the Loddon Valley FNL who has 52 and Lachlan Thompson from the Benalla All Blacks FNC in the Ovens and King FNL who sits third overall with 46 goals for the season.
Keep up to date each week with all scores, ladders, stats and more at countryfootyscores.com.
